South Africa’s most promising entrepreneurs converged in Johannesburg this month to pitch for millions in business funding at the 2025 South Africa Future Trust (SAFT) Summit a national platform celebrating the innovation and resilience of the country’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs). As the headline sponsor, Standard Bank stood alongside the SAFT in its mission to unlock opportunity and growth for businesses that are shaping South Africa’s economic future.
Speaking at the summit, Jenine Zachar , Head of Value Proposition and Client Experience for Business and Commercial Banking at Standard Bank, underscored the importance of ensuring that corporate initiatives translate into real-world impact. “When we sit in our boardrooms and plan, it can’t just look good on paper,” she said. “It must lead to visible change for SMEs on the ground. The progress we see from our clients shows that our work is making a difference.”
Supporting Businesses Across Every Stage of Growth
Jenine explained that Standard Bank’s SME strategy is designed to support entrepreneurs at every stage of their journey from start-up and early management to growth and expansion. The bank serves a wide range of enterprises, from township-based microbusinesses to companies with turnovers exceeding R500 million.
“We engage with SMEs across both township and urban economies, offering the right tools to help them start, manage, and grow,” she said. Jenine added that the Pitch Party, one of the summit’s highlights, showcased businesses that are ready to take the next leap. “These entrepreneurs are at a critical point in their growth journey. Opportunities like this can significantly accelerate their scale potential.”
Standard Bank’s partnership with the South Africa Future Trust dates back to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when the bank extended R250 million in interest-free loans to help preserve more than 22,000 jobs. “That’s where our collaboration began,” Jenine said. “It showed us how powerful collective action can be when the goal is to sustain and grow businesses.”
Since then, the partnership has evolved beyond financial relief to focus on connecting SMEs with investors, mentors, and new market opportunities. “At this year’s summit, we’ve already seen contracts signed and funding discussions initiated,” she noted. “That’s exactly the kind of progress we aim to foster.”
Expertise and Personalised Support
While Standard Bank serves SMEs across all sectors, Jenine highlighted the value of its specialist expertise in areas such as agriculture and sustainability. “Our agricultural experts understand how climate conditions affect operations, while our sustainability specialists help guide responsible business practices,” she said.
Each SME client is supported by a relationship manager, ensuring a personalised and hands-on banking experience. “Through these relationships, clients can access tailored advice, funding solutions, and sector insights to help them navigate complex challenges,” Jenine added.
Technology as a Growth Catalyst
Jenine also pointed to the role of technology in empowering entrepreneurs. Platforms such as SimplyBlu, Standard Bank’s digital business management solution, allow SMEs to manage inventory, track sales, and access real-time insights. “When business owners understand their data, they make better decisions,” she said. “Digital tools give them that advantage.”
As the summit concluded, the message was clear, collaboration, innovation, and access to finance remain central to SME success. Through its continued partnership with the South Africa Future Trust, Standard Bank is helping build a more resilient and inclusive business landscape across the country.
