The 2026 instalment of the SME Import Navigator programme is formally open. The programme is introduced by Edge Development, in partnership with FNB. It goals to strengthen native manufacturing via smarter import methods.
Small to medium-sized companies in South Africa, particularly these within the manufacturing trade, at all times want assist. These companies are the spine of trade, and with out them, a piece of the availability chain can be in tatters. Moreover, additionally it is more and more aggressive as a result of immense strain originating from world opponents’ low import prices.
“Many companies expertise challenges, together with excessive reliance on imported inputs, restricted market entry, and difficulties positioning their merchandise competitively inside B2B and distribution networks: All boundaries that may prohibit progress potential and scale back long-term competitiveness,” the discharge asserting that purposes are open reads. “SMEs are under-represented regardless of their potential to drive industrial progress, employment, and financial transformation. Higher supporting these SMEs can strengthen a small enterprise sector that has immense progress potential.”
The Matter of Reality
In keeping with Commerce & Industrial Coverage Methods (TIPS), Manufacturing SMEs kind a essential but below‑leveraged a part of South Africa’s industrial panorama. Whereas SMEs account for over 98% of all companies nationally, it’s estimated that solely about 9% function in manufacturing.
In response to those statistics, Edge Development and FNB have teamed up but once more to actively promote transformation within the SME sector. The SME Import Navigator Programme supplies black-owned direct and oblique importers the chance to develop and strengthen their home enterprise.
“Many companies expertise constraints corresponding to dependency on imported inputs, restricted market entry, and challenges in differentiating their merchandise inside B2B and distribution channels,” says Victoria Harris, Shopper Lead at Edge Development. “These boundaries can prohibit progress potential and scale back long-term competitiveness.”
She continues to focus on the rationale why Edge Development is leveraging this chance and aiding SMEs of their progress. “What could be very clear in our downside assertion is that entry to quick and reasonably priced world markets has positioned growing pressures on native SMEs that manufacture and/or produce merchandise for a B2B market. The programme has 3 key focus areas to strengthen market competitiveness by enhancing each sourcing and promoting market methods and operations,” she shares.
The SME Import Navigator Programme, in partnership with FNB, is designed to deal with these challenges instantly and allow producers to strengthen their place available in the market. Via focused and sensible interventions, the SME Import Navigator Programme helps taking part SMEs to:
Strengthen import methods by enhancing value effectivity, compliance, and entry to preferential commerce agreements.
Improve product high quality and market alignment to construct stronger competitiveness inside product alignment and area of interest sectors.
Broaden market entry via improved distribution fashions, strengthened B2B engagement, and scalable routes to market.
The SME Import Navigator Programme
Beforehand, the 2 manufacturers collaborated on the SME Development Exporter Programme in partnership with FNB, and plenty of SMEs have efficiently grown and strengthened their worldwide and regional commerce, turning into aggressive, export-ready companies.
“We even have an Export Programme as nicely, however at present that’s in mid-flight, and we’re sourcing specifically for SME Import Navigator,” Harris explains. “The actual programme that we’re sourcing for is an Import Programme, which means that it’ll deal with inbound commerce operations.”
The SME Import Navigator Programme allows companies to construct resilience, improve profitability, and compete sustainably each regionally and regionally by specializing in operational excellence and strategic progress. It is going to take focused, sensible interventions to assist SMEs strengthen their import methods, enhance product high quality and manufacturing effectivity, and develop market entry via higher distribution and gross sales methods.
Any South African enterprise that falls into the class of a small or medium enterprise with 51% or extra black possession is eligible. Different standards embrace that these companies should have annual revenues of between R10 and R30 million to use for the 2026 cohort. Functions open on 2 February 2026 and shut on 8 March 2026.
The programme particularly targets companies that manufacture items utilizing imported uncooked supplies or elements. It focuses on the next classes:
To be thought-about for the programme, companies might want to present CIPC registration paperwork, ID copies of all administrators, one yr of administration accounts or 12 months of enterprise financial institution statements, a legitimate BBBEE certificates, the most recent Tax Clearance Certificates, and any required documentation for product or market-related rules and certifications.
Working from 4 Might 2026 to the tip of October 2027, the 18-month programme will choose 10 qualifying SMEs who will every profit from an in depth diagnostic evaluation, a personalized progress plan, one-on-one mentorship throughout all phases, import, product, and progress specialists, sourcing and pattern choice tasks, specialist tasks, strategic progress interventions, and funding readiness assist.
For extra data, companies can go to the web site.
