Media

On this page you will find statements and op-eds distributed by SBI; coverage the Institute receives and news about and for SMEs. While we do not necessarily endorse political parties, nor the findings of other research institutions, our research and advocacy positions are increasingly highlighted by influential commentators. We post these articles or interviews here for your review.

SBI SME TOURISM INDABA 2026

SBI SME TOURISM INDABA 2026Tourism unfiltered: the conversation that matters Tourism is one of South Africa’s greatest opportunities for economic growth and job creation, but its full potential cannot be unlocked without the small businesses that bring our...

The Small Business Institute’s Position Paper on the Business Licensing Bill, 2026

The Small Business Institute's Position Paper on the Business Licensing Bill, 2026 PUBLIC COMMENT SUBMISSION The Small Business Institute (SBI) has prepared a formal position paper on the Business Licensing Bill, 2026, welcoming its objectives while proposing targeted...

SUBMISSION BY THE SMALL BUSINESS INSTITUTE TO THE COMPETITION COMMISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA

SUBMISSION BY THE SMALL BUSINESS INSTITUTE TO THE COMPETITION COMMISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA Review of Regulatory Barriers to Competition and SME Participation The Small Business Institute (SBI) welcomes the opportunity to make this submission to the Competition...

SBI Announces Strengthened Leadership and Renewed Commitment to South Africa’s Entrepreneurs

SBI Announces Strengthened Leadership and Renewed Commitment to South Africa's Entrepreneurs South Africa cannot achieve meaningful economic growth or reduce unemployment without a thriving small business segment. Yet too many entrepreneurs continue to face...

Time to Pay Up: Government unveils toughest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years

Time to Pay Up: Government unveils toughest crackdown on late payments in over 25 years Small businesses to be backed by new, stronger measures to tackle late payments. UK is backing small businesses with the toughest laws on late payments in the G7 Sweeping new...

Untangling the Knot: Navigating South Africa’s SMME Regulatory Landscape in 2026

Untangling the Knot: Navigating South Africa’s SMME Regulatory Landscape in 2026 Written by: Christo Owen van der Rheede For a small business owner in South Africa, the dream of entrepreneurship often collides with a sobering reality: a "paperwork ceiling" known as...

About FASA 2026 Conference and EXPO

About FASA 2026 Conference and EXPO South Africa is reaching a critical economic juncture. While franchising currently contributes a significant 15% to our GDP, FASA's 2026 Conference and EXPO focused on the transformative shift to 20%. The event served as a strategic...

SBI Podcast, episode two on B20 – In conversation with Dr Anthony Costa

SBI Podcast series episode two on B20- In conversation with, Dr Anthony CostaIn Episode 2 from the Small Business Institute's B20 podcast series, we sit down with Dr. Anthony Costa, a key figure at the heart of B20 South Africa’s preparations. Dr. Costa shares an...

SBI BPL SME Indaba left Small Business owners inspired!

THE SBI BPL SME INDABA – AN EVENT THAT EMPOWERED AND INSPIRED! The SBI BPL SME Indaba “Finance as a growth enabler” were held on 26 August 2025 at Bryanston Country Club. It was nothing short of a powerhouse day for South Africa’s small business segment. Co-hosted...

SBI BPL SME Indaba: “Finance As a Growth Enabler” – Tues, 26 August 2025

Attention Small Business Owners, SME Champions, and Everyone Driving Growth in the SME Ecosystem! The Small Business Institute (SBI) and Business Partners Limited are excited to invite you formally to join us at the next SME Indaba -- a must-attend event focusing on:...

Department of Small Business Calls for Public Comment on the definition of small enterprises

GOVERNMENT NOTICECALL FOR WRITTEN SUBMISSIONS FROM STAKEHOLDER BODIES AND MEMBERS OF THE PUBLIC ON THE UPDATING OF SCHEDULE 1 OF THE NATIONAL DEFINITION FOR SMALL ENTERPRISES IN SOUTH AFRICA I, Lindiwe D Zulu, Minister of Small Business Development hereby:a) Publish...

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: “Why the dubious research saga by SBI and SBP?”

The article published by Dr Thami Mazwai, a consultant to the minister of small business development

Baseline data and policy changes needed for small business to deliver jobs target for NDP

Baseline data and policy changes needed for small business to deliver jobs target for NDP Data

Growth in lending to big firms outpaces that to SMEs

Banks’ lending in South Africa to large corporate companies over the last five years grew

SBI supports Parliamentary Portfolio Committee attempt to hold Department of Small Business Development to account

The Small Business Institute notes that the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development

New Release from the Small Business Institute

The Small Business Institute today rejected the resignation offered by board member

Statement in response to the SONA from the Small Business Institute

It’s now or never – time to shift government from blocking to enhancing sustainable SMEs

SBI’s submission to the Minister for Economic Development on the bill to amend the Competition Act

Submission to the Minister of Economic Development in response to Government Gazette notice No. 1345, the Competition Amendment Bill 2017 on behalf of the Small Business Institute, the SBI (formerly the AHI). Via email: competitionbill@economic.gov.za The SBI...

News Release from the Small Business Institute: SBI announces new board, focus on SME research

News Release from the Small Business Institute 29 January 2018 SBI announces new board, focus on SME research The SBI (formerly the AHI) has reconstituted its board of directors following the adoption of a new Memorandum of Incorporation. Each board member...

SBI Newsletter January 2018

View this email in your browser SBI Newsletter January 2018 Dear SBI member, associate and business partner. Please see below for the first of 2018's quarterly newsletters. Following the first board meeting under our new Memorandum of Incorporation, this newsletter...

STATEMENT FROM THE SBI: Medium Term Budget must support SMEs to ensure Radical Economic Growth

STATEMENT FROM THE SBI (Formerly the AHI) 24 October 2017 Medium Term Budget must support SMEs to ensure Radical Economic Growth The SBi small business chamber organisation (formerly AHi) calls on the finance minister to ‘think small first’, as government...

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE AHI: payment of government suppliers within 30 days

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE AHI: payment of government suppliers within 30 days 22 August 2017 The AHI notes the comments by Minister in the Presidency Jeff Radebe that timing for payments by government to suppliers is improving. (Click here to read the ministry's press...

AHI SME Indaba – Keynote address: Mcebisi Jonas – Former deputy minister of finance,

Keynote Address AHi Small Business Chamber’s Conference 5 April 2017 Creating Jobs Against All Odds Mcebisi Jonas, MP In our present circumstances, it is unnecessary to remind this audience, I am sure, that economics and politics are inextricably bound together. We...

AHI Press release: Certainty above all

The small and medium business champion, AHI, was deeply concerned by the irrational and reckless action by the President to recall his finance minister and replace his cabinet without consultation. Ongoing uncertainty had prompted AHI to call on the government to...

NEWS RELEASE FROM THE AHI: Tough Budget Reflecting Economic and Political Environment with little leeway.

SME representative organisation AHI says the National Budget tabled by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan in Parliament this afternoon erred on the side of political caution. "It was a generally cautious budget in light recent political pressure on the Treasury, low...