By: Lonwabo Mtyeku | Pictures: Supplied
Seen Here: Palesa Moeletsi – SME Business Development Support Manager. Photo Credit: Supplied.
South African small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are increasingly being recognised as the engine of economic growth, yet many promising businesses struggle to break into international markets. In a strategic move aimed at unlocking global opportunities for local entrepreneurs, First National Bank (FNB) has partnered with Edge Growth to deliver the SME Growth Exporter Programme — an initiative designed to equip South African businesses with the skills, funding access and market connections required to compete globally.
Launched in 2024 by First National Bank’s SME Development division alongside the bank’s structured finance and trade teams, the 18-month programme is already demonstrating measurable economic impact. By addressing the most critical barriers to exporting — knowledge, capital and market access — the initiative is helping SMEs transition from local players to internationally competitive businesses.
Unlocking Global Opportunities
For many South African SMEs, the ambition to export exists, but the pathway to global markets is often complicated and highly specialised. Exporting requires deep knowledge of international compliance frameworks, logistics systems, regulatory standards and market-entry strategies — capabilities that are rarely available within small businesses.
Recognising these challenges, the SME Growth Exporter Programme was designed as a holistic development platform rather than a simple funding initiative.
“Small and medium enterprises are the backbone of South Africa’s economy, and their ability to scale locally and globally is critical to job creation, skills development and long-term economic competitiveness,” said Palesa Moeletsi, SME Business Development Support Manager at First National Bank.
According to Moeletsi, the programme forms part of FNB’s broader enterprise development ecosystem, which integrates financial and non-financial support to ensure SMEs grow sustainably and responsibly.
Building Export-Ready Businesses
The programme’s first cohort supported 10 SMEs operating in sectors with strong international demand, including food and beverages, apparel, jewellery and beauty products.
Each business underwent a comprehensive diagnostic assessment that informed the development of a tailored Export Growth Strategy. This strategic framework aligned each company’s products, operational readiness and target markets, ensuring that support interventions were both relevant and impactful.
Participants received a combination of export-focused boot camps, structured training programmes and personalised mentorship from industry specialists. The programme also facilitated participation in trade shows, commercial introductions and strategic partnerships aimed at opening new international markets.
Financial enablement was another key pillar of the initiative. SMEs gained access to funding opportunities through instruments such as the Vumela Enterprise Development Fund, alongside catalytic grant funding aligned with their export growth milestones.
Measurable Impact Across Industries
The results of the programme’s first cohort highlight the transformative potential of structured export development.
Collectively, participating businesses achieved a 7% increase in net job creation, a 7.5% weighted average growth rate, and a 143% straight-line profit growth, demonstrating how targeted support can translate into real economic gains.
Among the standout participants were several companies that made significant strides toward international expansion.
Global Cuisine enhanced its export readiness by strengthening regulatory compliance and improving production efficiency. The company also secured external funding to expand capacity while building long-term commercial relationships with international partners.
Moedi Wines successfully accelerated its global footprint, entering both United States and European markets while strengthening its operational maturity and global brand positioning.
Meanwhile, NB Skin Science achieved export readiness and gained traction in international markets, leveraging global exposure to refine product innovation and build scalable routes to market across priority regions.
Collaboration Driving SME Development
The programme’s success underscores the importance of collaboration across the enterprise development ecosystem.
Specialist partners contributed expertise that significantly enhanced the programme’s impact. The International Trade Institute of Southern Africa provided technical export knowledge, while Edge Growth delivered business development mentorship tailored to each company’s growth journey.
Internally, the trade and finance teams at First National Bank provided market intelligence and advisory services, ensuring SMEs received practical guidance on navigating global trade complexities.
“This programme represents our ongoing commitment to supporting South African entrepreneurs who have the vision and determination to take their businesses global,” said Victoria Harris, Client Lead at Edge Growth.
“By combining skills development, funding access and market opportunities, we are helping build a new generation of successful exporters who will contribute to economic growth, job creation and economic transformation.”
Expanding the Programme’s Reach
Following the success of its inaugural cohort, the second phase of the SME Growth Exporter Programme was launched in July 2025 and will run until the end of 2026. The expanded programme is now supporting 15 high-potential SMEs, further strengthening South Africa’s pipeline of globally competitive businesses.
In parallel, FNB SME Development has introduced the Importer Navigator Programme, designed to help SMEs better manage import processes and supply-chain complexities — a critical component in strengthening local manufacturing capabilities.
Together, these initiatives represent a broader push to position South African SMEs as dynamic players in global trade, capable of driving innovation, employment and long-term economic resilience.
As international markets become increasingly interconnected, programmes like the SME Growth Exporter Programme highlight how strategic partnerships between financial institutions, development organisations and trade specialists can unlock new growth pathways for South Africa’s entrepreneurs — ensuring that local ambition is matched by global opportunity.
