Spaza Shop
By Karabo Marifi
The South African government has disbursed R6 million out of a R500 million allocation through the Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF) to eligible spaza shops and food-handling outlets. Launched last month, the fund targets South African-owned spaza shops in townships and rural areas, aiming to enhance their participation in the retail trade sector. Despite its ambitious goals, the rollout has been slow due to coordination challenges involving inspections, citizenship verification, and health checks.
Spaza Shop Support Fund: Key Details
The SSSF offers up to R300,000 per shop through a combination of grants and low-interest loans. This funding supports:
• Initial stock purchases
• Infrastructure improvements
• Business development tools
• Point of Sale (POS) system adoption
Administered by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEFDA), the fund also assists shop owners in meeting hygiene and regulatory standards. According to Minister of Small Business Development Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, only shop owners who met the deadline for operating permit registration qualify for assistance. This ensures the provision of safe, high-quality products to consumers.
“The pace is slow due to the involvement of multiple parties coordinating inspections and verifications,” Minister Ndabeni explained during a media briefing in Pretoria on Thursday.
Global SME Ministerial Meeting: A Landmark Event
Looking beyond domestic efforts, South Africa is gearing up to host the first-ever Global Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) Ministerial Meeting in Johannesburg from July 22 to 24, 2025. Organized in collaboration with the United Nations Small Business Agency, the event will bring together ministers and officials responsible for Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) worldwide. The goal? To share strategic insights, shape future policies, and build global consensus on the small business agenda.
Nearly 50 countries have confirmed participation, including:
• Brazil
• Cambodia
• Costa Rica
• Egypt
• Ethiopia
• Kenya
• India
• Indonesia
• Switzerland
“This Ministerial Meeting marks a countdown to elevating small businesses globally,” Minister Ndabeni noted.
Empowering Small Businesses: A Broader Vision
The Department of Small Business Development is committed to creating an enabling environment for small businesses to grow, scale, and compete internationally. During the Ministerial Meeting, South Africa plans to advocate for a dedicated MSME Working Group at the G20 Summit. This push aligns with South Africa’s G20 Presidency, which runs from December 1, 2024, to November 30, 2025, under the theme “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability”.
“We are unequivocal that the G20 needs a sharper MSME focus,” the Minister said. “We will use this platform to develop practical initiatives and partnerships across governments, multilateral institutions, and businesses.”
Ahead of the Ministerial Meeting, the department will host Startup20 Task Force planning sessions, enabling Task Force leaders to engage with global MSME leaders beyond the G20 framework.
A Call for Global Cooperation
Minister Ndabeni emphasized the need for collective action to address MSME challenges, particularly for businesses led by women, youth, and persons with disabilities. “The challenges small businesses face are vast and cannot be tackled by one nation alone,” she urged. “Let us deepen regional and global cooperation, share knowledge, and uplift MSMEs.”
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