By: Zandile Njamela - Global Supplier Impact & Development Lead for Accenture

South Africa’s economic outlook has been marked by persistent challenges. From load shedding and rising input costs to regulatory hurdles and access-to-market limitations, small and medium-sized enterprises continue to face significant headwinds. These businesses, despite being a backbone of job creation and innovation in our economy, often find themselves excluded from value chains that could unlock real, long-term growth. In a country where inclusive economic participation is not just a goal but a necessity, this exclusion compounds inequality and slows the kind of transformation we all know is needed.

For SMEs, resilience is not an abstract concept – it’s a daily reality. Yet, despite the strain, many continue to show remarkable innovation and determination. The problem is that determination alone is not enough. Without structured support, enabling ecosystems, and intentional partnerships with large organisations, these businesses cannot reach their full potential or meaningfully contribute to economic growth and job creation. South Africa cannot afford to overlook the development of its SME sector. It’s not just about enterprise support – it’s about economic renewal, empowerment and social equity at scale.

It is against this backdrop that Accenture today launches Class IV of its Supplier Development Programme (SDP) in South Africa. Built on the foundation of our Supplier Impact & Sustainability offering, this 24-month initiative is focused on cultivating the inclusion of SMEs into sustainable supply chains that drive not only business value but broader societal benefit. This is more than ticking boxes – it’s a deliberate strategy to embed shared value and build resilience within local ecosystems.

What makes this programme particularly meaningful is the opportunity it gives us to engage directly with the entrepreneurs who are building tomorrow’s solutions today. Each participating SME brings with it a unique perspective, capability and ambition. Through workshops, mentorship, business advisory, and targeted support, we gain deeper insights into their challenges and co-create new opportunities for collaboration. The process is as much about learning as it is about enabling. It sharpens our understanding of what true inclusion looks like in action and challenges us to rethink how we design supplier partnerships for the long haul.

The impact of this kind of partnership is tangible. From the Class III cohort, which graduated in 2024, we saw first-hand how targeted enterprise development can accelerate growth in a measurable and sustainable way. Seventeen SMEs graduated from the programme, thirteen went on to become official suppliers to Accenture, and collectively they represented R161 million in spend in the 2024 financial year. Beyond the numbers, the growth trajectories of some of these businesses have been remarkable – three of them saw turnover increases of more than 220%, with one SME reaching over R48 million in a single quarter. These are not isolated successes – they are ripple effects of building inclusive ecosystems where support is intentional, long-term and commercial in nature.

What these results show us is that integrating SMEs into supply chains is not just good policy or responsible business – it is smart business. It unlocks innovation, diversifies our delivery models, and strengthens our responsiveness to a changing world. SMEs bring agility, creativity, and local insight that can significantly enhance how we serve our clients and communities. When they win, we all win.

Equally important is the personal journey of the entrepreneurs themselves. Watching the previous cohort move from potential to real-world impact has been one of the most rewarding parts of my career. It wasn’t just about helping them grow as businesses – it was about affirming their place in the broader economy. Their stories reflect not only professional growth but a deepened sense of purpose and confidence. When we talk about transformation, this is what we mean: sustainable inclusion that uplifts people, families, and the communities around them.

As we welcome the new group of SMEs into our Class IV programme, I am energised by the road ahead. Each intake renews our commitment to building more equitable partnerships and challenging traditional supplier models. We know there is still much work to do, but we also know that progress is possible when there is alignment between purpose and performance. It’s not just about procurement decisions – it’s about shifting mindsets and embracing collaboration as a catalyst for national progress.

The South African economy faces a long and complex road to recovery. But if we are serious about inclusive growth, we need to shift from short-term interventions to sustained investment in the enterprises that form the lifeblood of our communities. Supplier development should never be seen as a compliance task – it should be embedded in how we drive innovation, performance, and long-term competitiveness.

At Accenture, we remain deeply committed to walking this path. Our Supplier Development Programme is one way we are contributing to a more resilient, inclusive economy – one where small businesses are not just beneficiaries, but co-creators of value. And as we begin this new chapter with our latest cohort, I’m reminded again of the power of partnership, the strength of our local entrepreneurs, and the limitless potential that emerges when we choose to build together.