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.
Many small businesses have the capability to deliver on commercial opportunities and contribute to the country’s economic development, but lack the upfront capital needed to fulfil purchase orders and secure contracts. Traditional financing is often expensive or inaccessible, particularly in rural areas where most of the parks are located. The Sanlam-SANParks SMME Fund was established to help bridge this gap by providing practical support that allows businesses to participate more fully in economic opportunities linked to South Africa’s national parks.
The programme is implemented by I AM AN ENTREPRENEUR, a leading enterprise development agency experienced in helping entrepreneurs build and grow their businesses.
“At Sanlam, we know that financial resilience grows when small businesses are able to fully participate in the economy,” says Thandeka Nkambule, Chief Transformation Officer at Sanlam. “Many small businesses have the capability, skills and determination to fulfil contracts, but lack the working capital needed to get started. By providing interest-free purchase order funding, we are helping entrepreneurs participate in economic opportunities that might otherwise remain out of reach.”
To date, the fund has supported 237 funding applications, resulting in cumulative disbursements of R50 191 205 by the end of May 2026. Beyond the value of funding provided, the model has delivered meaningful economic benefits for participating businesses and their communities. More than R6 million has been saved in financing costs that would otherwise have been paid in interest, while participating enterprises have generated over R24 million in net profits. The fund has also contributed to the creation and sustainment of 507 jobs.
“What makes this model particularly powerful is that the benefits remain with the business,” says Nkambule. “Every rand that would otherwise have been spent servicing debt can instead be invested back into the enterprise, supporting growth, creating jobs and strengthening local economic activity.”
South Africa’s national parks are important economic hubs within largely rural regions, creating opportunities for local businesses to provide goods and services. Yet many entrepreneurs struggle to access the working capital needed to participate in procurement opportunities. By providing interest-free purchase order funding, the Sanlam-SANParks SMME Fund helps ensure that capable local businesses are not excluded simply because they lack access to finance.
The model is supporting businesses across multiple conservation regions. While the Kruger National Park area remains the largest centre of activity, enterprises linked to Tsitsikamma National Park, Table Mountain National Park, the Garden Route region and other conservation nodes are increasingly benefiting from the fund. Funding support has ranged from small interventions that helped businesses meet immediate cash-flow needs to larger facilities enabling suppliers to fulfil significant contracts.
The Sanlam-SANParks SMME Fund forms part of Sanlam’s broader commitment to supporting inclusive economic growth through the 104+ SMME Growth and Empowerment Solution. The platform connects small businesses with opportunities, support and funding that can help them become sustainable participants in the economy.
“The R50 million milestone is about far more than capital deployed,” says Nkambule. “It represents businesses that have been able to seize opportunities, build resilience, create employment and contribute to the economic wellbeing of their communities. That is the kind of inclusive growth that creates lasting impact.”