More than R50 million has now been deployed through interest-free funding to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs) operating in communities surrounding South Africa’s national parks through the Sanlam-SANParks SMME Fund. The loans have helped 230 entrepreneurs, create jobs and grow their businesses without the burden of financing costs.
This marks a pivotal step in advancing inclusive economic participation within the biodiversity economy. This investment underscores a shared commitment to removing systemic barriers to entry for emerging enterprises, particularly those from communities adjacent to national parks, by aligning financial support with real access to markets, infrastructure and opportunities within protected areas. As the ecosystem enabler, SANParks plays a critical role in ensuring that supported SMMEs are not only funded, but are meaningfully integrated into sustainable value chains across tourism, conservation and park operations.
Speaking on the milestone, Skumsa Ntshanga, Head of Socio-Economic Transformation at SANParks, noted: “Reaching the R50 million mark is more than a financial milestone; it is a demonstration of what is possible when capital is intentionally aligned with access and opportunity. SANParks’ role is to open up the conservation economy, to create real pathways for SMMEs to participate, grow and thrive. Through this partnership with Sanlam, we are not only de-risking enterprise development, but actively reshaping who benefits from conservation by placing communities and emerging entrepreneurs at the centre of sustainable value creation.”
Delivered through the 104+ SMME Growth and Empowerment Solution, the fund provides interest-free purchase order funding to qualifying businesses, addressing one of the biggest barriers facing many rural enterprises: access to affordable working capital. By removing financing costs, the fund enables small businesses to fulfil contracts, participate in supply chains and retain more of the value they create within their communities.
