By: Lonwabo Mtyeku Photo Credit: First National Bank (FNB)
Seen Here: Palesa Moeletsi – SME Business Development Support Manager. Photo Credit: First National Bank (FNB)
Johannesburg — First National Bank (FNB) has launched a new Digital Enablement Programme (DEP) aimed at accelerating the digital transformation of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as businesses across South Africa face mounting pressure to adapt to a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The 18-month initiative is designed to help SMEs integrate digital tools, strengthen operational capabilities, and improve market access in sectors undergoing significant disruption, including manufacturing, logistics, construction, infrastructure, and the green economy.
SMEs at a critical turning point
FNB said the programme responds to growing evidence that digital capability has become a key determinant of SME survival and competitiveness. With more than 1.2 million SME clients across the country, the bank said it has identified persistent barriers limiting digital adoption, including skills shortages, high implementation costs, infrastructure constraints, and limited access to finance.
“Digital transformation is no longer optional; it is foundational to how businesses operate, compete, and grow,” said Palesa Moeletsi, SME Business Development Support Manager at FNB.
She added that many SMEs are not only required to adopt new technologies but also to fundamentally rethink their operating models to remain viable in an increasingly digital marketplace.
Three-pillar support model
The Digital Enablement Programme is structured around three core pillars:
Access to Skills — Building digital literacy and operational capability to enable SMEs to adopt and integrate new technologies effectively.
Access to Market — Improving digital visibility and strengthening participation in modern supply chains and online commercial ecosystems.
Access to Funding — Supporting businesses in securing financing for both software adoption and capital-intensive digital infrastructure.
FNB said the programme will use tailored diagnostics, hands-on workshops, and expert advisory services to guide SMEs through the transformation journey.
Tackling the digital divide
The bank warned that without targeted intervention, the gap between digitally enabled firms and those lagging behind could widen significantly, placing many smaller businesses at risk of stagnation or failure.
Industry partners, including implementation specialist Edge Growth, will support the rollout of the programme, bringing additional expertise in enterprise development and SME acceleration.
According to FNB, the goal is not simply digitisation, but full-scale transformation — enabling SMEs to operate more efficiently, expand into new markets, and build long-term resilience.
Building future-fit businesses
FNB emphasised that sustainable transformation requires more than technology adoption alone, pointing to the need for shifts in business strategy, leadership mindset, and operational structures.
“Across the industries we support, the risk is clear: businesses that do not adapt to the digital economy will increasingly struggle to compete,” Moeletsi said.
The programme forms part of FNB’s broader enterprise development strategy aimed at strengthening SME competitiveness and supporting job creation in South Africa’s evolving economic landscape.
Driving long-term economic impact
By equipping SMEs with digital capabilities, FNB hopes to contribute to broader economic growth and industry modernisation, particularly in sectors where productivity gains and digital integration remain uneven.
The bank said the initiative is expected to build a pipeline of future-ready businesses capable of competing in both local and global markets.
Applications for the programme are now open via Edge Growth’s platform.
