"South Africa's lending ecosystem has untapped potential, but outdated credit models and too few female-focused products continue to exclude most women-owned MSMEs.

"While women now own and lead South Africa's micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), many still struggle to scale beyond the micro level due to persistent funding barriers."

Author Denise Mhlanga unpacks the challenges plus several success stories in this insightful article that was published in the August 2025 issue of Asset magazine, including the City Lodge Hotels incubator programme, run in partnership with Sigma International and SATSA. Read all about it and the success of one of the group's dynamic female incubatees, Nobuhle Magwentshu of Asmara Coffee, here: https://assetmag.co.za/issue139/index.html?page=2