The SME Rise Capital Matching initiative improved funding access and accelerated business development. 

Cape Town, 4 February 2026:  Matching initiative. This collaboration has unlocked critical funding pathways for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the province, contributing to the advancement the Western Cape’s Growth for Jobs (G4J) strategy. 

Launched as a programme to bolster the provincial economy, the SME Rise Capital Matching has provided a comprehensive support ecosystem for businesses. Over the last three years, the initiative engaged close to 2,500 SMEs nationally, with over 1,000 businesses hailing from the Western Cape. These businesses represent various sectors including Engineering and Construction, Manufacturing, Retail and Wholesale, Hospitality, Business Services and Agriculture, all of which are key sectors identified to drive economic growth in the Western Cape. 

Through the Capital Matching, SMEs in the Western Cape received over R36 million in funding, with a further R40 million currently in the pipeline. Meanwhile, through its partnership with Western Cape Government and Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) at a national level, the SME Rise Accelerator Programme has supported participating SMEs in scaling their operations, resulting in revenue growth from R3.26 billion to R4.54 billion to date. The programme has also contributed to job creation, with participating SMEs increasing employment from 4,364 to 5,436, a 24.6% jobs increase. 

The SME Rise Capital Matching programme’s impact is a contributor to the Western Cape Government’s G4J strategy, which aims for a R1-trillion inclusive economy growing at 4% to 6% per annum by 2035. By fostering a competitive business environment, the JSE and DEDAT have helped SMEs unlock new market opportunities, a core pillar of the province's economic vision. 

"SMEs are the lifeblood of our economy," said Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism. "This collaboration has not just been about funding; it’s about creating an enabling environment where the private sector can flourish and create the hundreds of thousands of jobs our province needs. More SMEs implies more diverse market offerings, more innovation and most importantly more opportunities for employment for our residents.” 

"Public–private collaboration remains one of the most powerful catalysts for advancing South Africa’s national priorities. When government and business join forces with a shared purpose, we unlock a multitude of opportunities. Our work on the SME Rise Capital Matching initiative has shown how coordinated action can strengthen entrepreneurial resilience and create lasting economic impact. The JSE is proud to contribute to this collective effort, helping to build a more vibrant SME sector and supporting the broader growth of our economy,” said Cleola Kunene, Head of SME Development at the JSE. “Our collaboration with DEDAT reaches a conclusion this year but the impact will be felt for years to come. We have provided stakeholders and capital market experts direct access to the SMEs that are shaping the future of South Africa.” 

The SME Rise Capital Matching programme has seen remarkable engagement across diverse sectors and key data from the three-year period includes: 

• Funding Readiness: 280 Western Cape SMEs successfully completed intensive training to prepare for investment.
• Funder Network: The programme collaborated with 28 active funders, including African Bank, AltVest and the SEDFA loan division. 

“By participating in the Capital Matching initiative, Equate Advisory has supported the efforts to build more financial bridges that have unlocked pathways for SMEs to thrive. For us as funders it’s not simply about deploying capital, this initiative was about being part of a collaborative ecosystem where investment accelerates growth, strengthens the local economy and delivers measurable impact,” said Mali Mothiba, CEO of Equate Advisory. 

“Our Company, Hornes Projects and Enterprises is a family business that has battled financial storms and marketplace fatigue. The Capital Matching support has helped us overcome and thrive on the back of business partners who believe in our success as an SMME. We have managed to raise capital and real support that was needed for our growth,” Michael Horne, Manager at Hornes Projects and Enterprises. 

The culmination of this three-year journey will be showcased at the SME Conference on 5 February 2026 at the Century City Conference Centre. The event will feature a keynote address from entrepreneur and rugby legend Bryan Habana, focusing on the resilience required to scale a business in the current economic climate. The conference will host panels with stakeholders, SMEs and captains of industry, unpacking barriers and the vast opportunities within the SME ecosystem. 

ENDS 

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