15 SA entrepreneurs shortlisted for 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year
15 SA entrepreneurs shortlisted for 2026 Entrepreneur of the Year. Fifteen South African entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for the 38th edition of the Entrepreneur of the Year awards, with businesses operating across fintech, agriculture, tourism, waste management, mobility, manufacturing and education.
The finalists have been selected across three categories based on business turnover and trading history. The categories include emerging businesses with turnover of up to R10 million and medium-sized businesses generating more than R50 million.
The shortlist comes as South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem faces challenges. A recent assessment covering 56 economies gave the country’s ecosystem a score of 3.9 out of 10, compared with a global average of 4.7. Access to finance, government support and ease of market entry were among the weaker areas measured.
Several shortlisted businesses focus on local challenges. PB Gaz, founded by Lwazi, Lwando and Simnikiwe Ndlangalavu, supplies LPG cooking gas and related services to township households, schools and small businesses.
Linda Ntshanga’s Ekash Group operates a fintech platform providing mobile money services to individuals, SMMEs, informal traders and community groups. Mxolisi Mhlongo’s Euphrosyne converts invasive alien plants into charcoal.
Other emerging-business finalists include Bokamoso Farmers Academy, CoralBloom Studio and SoWeToo Tours.
The Small Business Entrepreneur of the Year category features Food Sock Meals, First Class Parking, Offshore Africa Training Centre, Donkey Long Tong, Noleo Projects and Henque Waste.
The Medium Business Entrepreneur of the Year finalists are The CMF Group, HSP Mobility Solutions and TTI Bursary Management.
The CMF Group operates in wholesale, distribution and e-commerce, while HSP Mobility Solutions provides driver training, fleet rental and chauffeur services alongside AI-powered mobility solutions. TTI Bursary Management manages bursary processes for corporate funders.
The finalists will be assessed on entrepreneurial ability, growth, management skills, market strategy, financial performance, and social and environmental contribution.
Winners in all three categories, along with the overall Entrepreneur of the Year 2026, will be announced at an awards ceremony in October. Judges may also confer Job Creator, Innovator and Impact Entrepreneur titles.
