Various ICT SMME related projects have been initiated in the country. These initiatives/programmes are divided into two: i) those that facilitate the entry of SMMEs in the ICT sector and, ii) those that aim to accelerate the uptake of ICTs by the general SMME sector. Some of the SMME support programmes are listed below:

Incubation programmes

Incubator programmes have so far played a vital role in development ICT SMMEs in the country. These programmes ensure that government’s objective of promoting or facilitating further entry of SMME within the ICT sector becomes a reality. The Department of Trade and Industry and Innovation Hub are the two government institutions that have taken the lead in the development of ICT SMMEs through the incubation model: For more information click here

Support programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII)

SPII is designed to promote technology development in manufacturing industries in South Africa through support for innovation of competitive products and/or processes. The SPII is designed to promote and assist technology development in South African industry through the provision of financial assistance for projects that develop innovative products and/or processes. The programmes also give special focus to small-micro and medium enterprises (SMMEs). It is a programme that promotes the diffusion or usage of ICT the manufacturing sector. The SPII consists of three schemes: the Product Process Development, Matching and Partnership Schemes. The SPII Programme is funded by the Department of Trade and Industry and administered by the Industrial Development Corporation. For more information click here

ISETT-SETA

The lack of ICT related skill has been blamed for minimal uptake and entry of SMMEs within the ICT sector. The ISETT SETA seeks to develop South Africa into an ICT knowledge based society by encouraging more people to develop skills in the sector as a means of contributing to economic growth. For more information click here

Under-serviced-Area Licensees (USALs)

Through the Under-serviced Area Licences programme, the Universal Service Agency has facilitated the entry of new SMMEs within the ICT sector. For more information click here

Khula-Enablis Loan Fund

The Enablis-Khula Loan Fund is a programme tailor made to address the financial needs of ICT SMMEs. The fund seeks to promote the use of ICT by promoting entrepreneurs that are promoting the use and access to ICT. For more information click here

Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP)

THRIP aims to improve the competitiveness of South African industry by supporting science research, technology development and diffusion. The programme is designed to foster collaboration within industry, higher education institutions and the government’s science, engineering and Technology institutions (SETIs). For more information click here

South African Technology Vanguard (SAVANT)

SAVANT is a Public-Private Partnership between government and industry. It is the vanguard of the South African Information and Communication Technology and Electronics sector (ICTE). The SAVANT marketing and awareness programme aims to strengthen the South African ICTE industry in order to add dimension to its global competitiveness. For more information click here

Small Enterprise Development Programme (SMEDP)

This programme is managed by The Enterprise Organisation Unit within the Dti. The unit’s main objective is to facilitate and stimulate the development of sustainable competitive enterprises. The programme is targeted at a number of sectors, including SMEs operating within the Information Communication and Technology sector. The objectives of SMEDP are that of developing entrepreneurship and promote empowerment within the sector. For more information click here

South African Bureau of Standards

The SABS helps Small to Medium Businesses across all sectors to find information on standardisation and ways to improve their global competitiveness. SABS introduced Siyakhula Certification to SMMEs in order to assist them in obtaining formal certification ( e.g. SABS ISO 9001:2000 ). the missing Link training programmes and technology transfer initiatives assist in the development of the human resources of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs). they also provide financial support to these enterprises through the 50% subsidy scheme. Click here for more information.