As South Africa moves into a complex economic environment, new insights from the SAB Foundation offer an on-the-ground view of how small businesses are adapting, building resilience and creating opportunities across the country.
The SAB Foundation's 2025 Impact Report brings together ten years of data and experience from entrepreneurs supported between January 2015 and March 2025. Based on an annual assessment of the Foundation's entrepreneurship, rural development, social innovation and disability empowerment programmes, the report highlights practical lessons about how to enable small businesses to endure, grow and deliver meaningful economic and social impact.
One finding has emerged: 90% of entrepreneurs supported by the SAB Foundation remain operational after five years, which is a strong indicator of what sustained, well-designed support can achieve over time.
“The impact report is an important learning tool for us,” says Sarah Mthintso, executive director of the SAB Foundation. “Although the data is self-reported, the consistency of the patterns allows us to understand what type of support is making a difference, where more attention is needed, and how we can continue to strengthen our approach with entrepreneurs.”
The 2025 Impact Report points to several emerging trends in the small business landscape:
Resilience built through ongoing support
Entrepreneurs operating in challenging environments are showing strong levels of sustainability over time. The data shows that ongoing mentorship, relevant business development support and access to appropriate funding play a meaningful role in keeping businesses running and adapting as circumstances change.
Increasing activity in rural and peri-urban economies
About 88% of the businesses supported by SAB Foundation are located in rural and sub-urban areas. In programs such as the Rural Catalyst Programme, the Township Energy Fund and the Tholoana Enterprise Programme, entrepreneurs report improvements in production, infrastructure and local employment, particularly in provinces such as Limpopo and the Eastern Cape.
Women and youth are shaping enterprise growth
67% of supported entrepreneurs are women, while 45% are youth-led businesses. These enterprises are contributing to job creation and income generation, as well as expanding participation in entrepreneurship among groups that have historically faced barriers to entry.
Disability-based innovation is gaining momentum
Enterprises led by people with disabilities, as well as developing solutions that improve accessibility, are showing positive growth results. Through the Social Innovation and Disability Empowerment Awards and related funding mechanisms, supported businesses report strong job growth and increased demand for their products and services.
Impact that extends beyond business
Across all programs, entrepreneurs reported that more than 21,500 jobs were sustained or created, indirectly benefiting an estimated 86,000 people. The data highlights how stable enterprises often support extended families and contribute to local economic activity beyond the immediate business.
value of long term association
The report reinforces the importance of sustained engagement with entrepreneurs beyond one-off funding. Access to mentorship, peer networks, mental health support, market access initiatives and alumni networks are consistently linked to stronger professional confidence and long-term growth.
Wendy Simunyu, impact specialist at the SAB Foundation, says these results show the value of combining financial and non-financial support. “When entrepreneurs get consistent, practical support over time, it helps them deal with uncertainty, make better decisions, and build more resilient businesses in the long run.”
looking ahead
Overall, insights from the Impact Report show that long-term, relationship-based support plays a vital role in enabling small businesses to contribute to employment, income generation and inclusive economic growth.
“Our entrepreneurs are building businesses within real constraints,” Mthintso says. “Our role is to continue to learn from what works, remain responsive, and ensure that the support we provide strengthens their ability to create opportunities for themselves and their communities.” DM
SAB Foundation 2025 Impact Report Is available.
All about foundation
Established in 2010, the SAB Foundation provides funding to small, medium and micro-sized enterprises to contribute to the economic and social empowerment of historically disadvantaged individuals through entrepreneurship development. The primary beneficiaries of SAB Foundation are women, youth, people with disabilities and people living in rural areas. To date over R891 million has been invested in social innovation, disability empowerment and SMMEs.