Access to finance targets the structural readiness gap that blocks billions of funding
South Africa will soon launch a national funding-readiness platform designed to unlock billions of rands in underutilized SME capital to address what industry leaders describe as the country's real funding hurdle: deal quality.
While small and medium enterprises contribute up to 40% of GDP and provide approximately 60% of employment, the significant capital allocated for SME funding remains underutilized every year. According to Mike Anderson, founder and CEO of the National Small Business Chamber (NSBC Africa), the issue is not a lack of capital.
“There is not a lack of funding in South Africa – it is a lack of urgency. Too many SMEs approach lenders before they are properly prepared. Funders don't have a capital problem – they have a deal-quality problem.”
New platform, access to finance – funding. Fast. Easy. – Run by NSBC Africa, it is designed to shift the focus from application volume to funding preparation. Rather than encouraging more submissions, this initiative prepares SMEs before approaching lenders – clarifying financial structure, credit status and aligning funding requests with appropriate capital providers.
Lee Naik, CEO of TransUnion Africa, says improving credit clarity is central to unlocking responsible growth: “Small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) contribute up to 40% of South Africa's GDP and employ almost 60% of employment, yet too many remain locked out of funding, not because capital is unavailable, but because they are unwilling to fund. The real difference is credit visibility and financial clarity. At TransUnion, we Let's look at how a combination of education, transparency and better risk assessment can take an entrepreneur from 'high risk' to 'highly investable'. When SMMEs are empowered to build credible credit profiles and lenders use rich data to more accurately identify opportunities, we can responsibly expand access to finance, unlock jobs and drive inclusive economic growth. It's a shared responsibility and strengthens South Africa's economic future. It's one of the most powerful levers we have to do that.
TransUnion serves as Access to Finance's official credit bureau and intelligence partner, embedding trusted credit intelligence within the platform's readiness framework.
By improving deal quality and reducing origination friction, the initiative aims to reduce funding decision timelines and activate capital already available within the financial system – without the need for new funding pools.
“If we improve preparedness at scale, we not only unlock funding — we also unlock jobs, growth, and long-term economic stability,” Anderson says.
Access to Finance is preparing for a national launch. SMEs can now register here to secure early access ahead of the national launch: www.accesstofinance.co.za
Funding. Fast. Easy.