South Africa’s emerging small business sector can look forward to a ZAR1.2 billion lifeline.

Alcoholic beverage giant Heineken is providing ZAR600 million in funding for enterprise and supplier development, to be administered by Absa bank, while the bank itself will offer ZAR600 million in co-lending to qualifying black-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs), according to Africa Business Communities.

About 100 black-owned SMEs are expected to benefit from the programme.

Heineken’s ZAR600 million contribution is part of its broader Ukukhula Fund. ZAR400 million will be directed towards Ukukhula’s supplier development (SD) funding category over five years with the balance allocated to growth and localisation (G&L).

The SD portion of the overall fund is geared towards historically disadvantaged suppliers, especially black-owned and black -women-owned SMEs, across the full alcoholic beverages value chain, with a focus on expanding supplier participation, strengthening the agricultural value chain, advancing research and development and supporting women entrepreneurs.

The R200 million G&L portion will develop historically disadvantaged enterprises and SMEs within Heineken’s supply chain, building local capacity, encouraging import replacement and co-investing in national initiatives that strengthen South Africa’s economic resilience.

Absa is also offering non-financial support such as business development services, financial literacy training and market integration. In addition, the bank is contributing R1.5 million annually to Heineken’s business development budget and R100 000 towards financial education initiatives.

‘Through this partnership, we’re not only unlocking much-needed capital for black-owned SMEs but also creating an ecosystem of support that helps them scale, compete, and thrive sustainably,’ says Vignesh Subramani, interim managing executive of SME Business at Absa Business Banking.

25 November 2025
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