JSE and Western Cape Government Conclude SME Capital Matching Programme
JSE and Western Cape Government Conclude SME Capital Matching Programme. The Johannesburg Stock Exchange and the Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism announced the results of their three year SME Rise Capital Matching initiative, marking the conclusion of a collaboration focused on improving access to funding for small and medium enterprises in the province. The programme was aligned to the Western Cape Government’s Growth for Jobs strategy, which seeks to build an inclusive and competitive economy.
Over the three year period, the initiative engaged close to 2,500 SMEs nationally, with more than 1,000 businesses coming from the Western Cape. These enterprises operated across engineering and construction, manufacturing, retail and wholesale, hospitality, business services, and agriculture, sectors identified as important contributors to provincial economic growth.
Through the Capital Matching programme, Western Cape SMEs received more than R36 million in funding, with an additional R40 million in funding already in the pipeline. At a national level, the SME Rise Accelerator Programme, delivered in partnership with the Western Cape Government and the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency, supported participating SMEs to scale their operations. This support contributed to revenue growth from R3.26 billion to R4.54 billion, while employment increased from 4,364 to 5,436 jobs, representing a 24.6 percent increase.
Dr Ivan Meyer, Western Cape Minister of Agriculture, Economic Development and Tourism, said the collaboration went beyond financial support. “SMEs are the lifeblood of our economy. This collaboration was not just about funding; it was about creating an enabling environment where the private sector could flourish and create the hundreds of thousands of jobs our province needs,” he said.
Cleola Kunene, Head of SME Development at the JSE, said public private collaboration proved to be a powerful driver of economic progress. She said the initiative demonstrated how coordinated action could strengthen entrepreneurial resilience and unlock long term economic value. She added that although the collaboration concluded, its impact would be felt for years, with stakeholders gaining direct access to SMEs shaping South Africa’s future.
The programme also focused on funding readiness. During the three years, 280 Western Cape SMEs completed intensive training to prepare for investment. A network of 28 active funders participated, including African Bank, AltVest, and the SEDFA loan division.
The journey concluded with the SME Rise Capital Matching Conference held at the Century City Conference Centre on 5 February 2026. The conference brought together funders, partners, experts, and Cape Town based SMEs to reflect on progress and future opportunities.
Entrepreneur and rugby legend Bryan Habana delivered the keynote address, sharing lessons on resilience and collaboration. “My journey to becoming a Springbok player taught me that success is never achieved alone. Collaboration and trust are just as essential in the SME sector as they are on the field,” he said. He added that initiatives like SME Rise helped business owners build networks, access opportunities, and develop sustainable, scalable businesses that support communities and the broader economy.
The programme reinforced the role of structured partnerships in accelerating SME growth while supporting job creation and long term provincial economic development outcomes.
