Experian, a global data and technology company, today hosted an event at Innovation City to delve into the critical insights of the recently launched Finfind SA MSME Access to Finance Report 2025. The gathering brought together industry leaders, fintech funders, and solutionists to unpack the report's findings and collaboratively determine the next steps in addressing South Africa’s persistent Micro, Small and Medium Enterprise (MSME) finance gap.

The report, a foundational analysis developed by Finfind, has provided an unparalleled, data-rich understanding of the MSME funding landscape. It highlights a significant disconnect: most businesses seeking finance turn over less than R1 million annually, yet many are ill-prepared to meet traditional funding requirements. 

The report also reveals a mismatch between what funders currently offer and the specific needs of MSMEs, with minimum thresholds often automatically disqualifying a large segment of funding seekers.

"The report has provided us with a clear roadmap, validating our thinking that a deeper, data-driven understanding of demand is crucial to crafting effective supply solutions," said Jaco van Jaarsveldt, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer at Experian. "Today's event at Innovation City was a direct response to these findings. It was about bringing the right minds together to move beyond simply identifying the problem; our focus now is on collaboratively building and implementing solutions that address the fundamental issues of funding readiness, align product offerings with actual needs, and create more transparent pathways for both MSMEs and funders."

During the event, Darlene Menzies, CEO of Finfind, shared additional banking research insights, further enriching the understanding of the landscape. These insights highlighted that traditional banks, Fintech Funders and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) face significant hurdles in serving MSMEs, largely due to burdensome documentation requirements and a reliance on outdated risk assessment models. 

The report underscored that these traditional approaches often favour larger, more established businesses, failing to capture the true potential of viable micro-MSMEs. Key challenges include the high cost of processing small loans, the scarcity of regulated business credit data, and a tendency to overlook industries prevalent among smaller businesses due to perceived volatility.

Experian's strategic next steps will focus on enhancing MSME funding readiness through new tools and resources, aligning funding supply with demand by refining product offerings and criteria, and transforming data requirements to foster more holistic and innovative credit assessments.

"We believe that collaboration and partnerships are the core elements of strategic growth, and we are committed to powering opportunities across industries. By working closely with Finfind, Innovation City, and the broader financial ecosystem, we are creating a better tomorrow for MSMEs, empowering them to realise their financial goals and contribute significantly to South Africa’s economic vitality," concluded van Jaarsveldt.