Understanding Small Enterprise Foundation and Its Impact

The Small Enterprise Foundation is a South African non-profit organization that has been making a significant impact in the lives of rural women since its inception in 1999. It was founded by a group of individuals who recognized the need to address poverty and inequality in rural areas.

The foundation's work focuses on providing microfinance services to women, enabling them to start and grow their own businesses. By doing so, they are able to improve their economic status and that of their families.

One of the key outcomes of the foundation's work is the reduction of poverty and hunger among rural women. This is achieved through the provision of loans, training, and other forms of support that empower women to become financially independent.

The Small Enterprise Foundation has a strong track record of success, with over 100,000 women benefiting from its services to date.

The Small Enterprise Foundation (SEF) is a non-profit NGO that's been around since 1992. We're dedicated to helping people in rural communities improve their economic lives.

SEF has over 60,000 clients and is a microfinance institution that aims to eradicate poverty. Our mission is to work aggressively towards eliminating poverty by providing financial services to the poor and very poor.

Our vision is a world free of poverty, and we're committed to making that a reality. We do this by creating a supportive environment where credit and savings services can thrive.

SEF uses a group-based lending methodology, where potential members form groups of five and are rigorously tested before being recognized. This approach helps ensure that loans are disbursed responsibly.

Loans are only disbursed at SEF Centre Meetings, where groups are present, and the application is made both on paper and verbally. This ensures transparency and accountability.

SEF doesn't provide savings services directly, but requires members to accumulate regular savings through a Post Office Savings Account. This helps borrowers build up a fund to fall back on in case of mishaps or tragedies.

Worth a look: Postal Savings Bank of China

At Small Enterprise Foundation, our mission is to empower women and girls in rural South Africa to break the cycle of poverty.

We focus on providing support to women who are vulnerable and marginalized, particularly those affected by HIV/AIDS and poverty.

Our goal is to help these women become economically independent and self-sufficient, with access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.

Our customers are incredibly resilient individuals who have taken the first step towards improving their lives. They are primarily women who run small enterprises such as fruit and vegetable stalls, new or used clothing shops, and dressmaking businesses.

These entrepreneurs often employ themselves and an average of 1.4 other individuals on a full-time or part-time basis. SEF's focus on supporting female-led businesses is a key aspect of our mission.

SEF has gained international recognition for its poverty-targeting methodology and its success in reaching and ensuring a positive impact on the very poor.

We fund our investment because it aligns with our inclusive strategy focused on improving access to finance for small business owners.

The financing fits very well into our strategy, which is a key part of our mission.

SEF applies the Grameen methodology, making it South Africa's leading MFI in this regard.

This approach has proven to be effective in improving access to finance for those who need it most.

By supporting SEF, we're helping to create opportunities for small business owners and contributing to a more inclusive economy.

Related reading: ESAF Small Finance Bank

The Small Enterprise Foundation has received significant investments over the years. In November 2021, they received ZAR 50.00 million in FMO financing.

Their investments have been diverse, with one notable instance being EUR 0.06 million in 2018. This highlights the organization's ability to secure funding from various sources.

Here is a summary of their investments:

In 2025, the Small Enterprise Foundation reported an annual revenue of $44.1 million.

The FMO has made significant investments in various projects, with a notable increase in funding over the years.

In 2021, the FMO invested ZAR 50.00 million on a specific date in November.

A total of EUR 0.05 million was invested on December 22, 2022.

The FMO also invested ZAR 30.00 million on November 24, 2022.

The oldest investment listed was EUR 0.06 million, invested on August 8, 2018.

Here's a breakdown of the investments:

The Small Enterprise Foundation has an annual revenue of $44.1 million in 2025. This impressive figure highlights the organization's significant impact on supporting small enterprises.

The annual revenue of Small Enterprise Foundation is substantial, reaching $44.1 million in 2025.

Intriguing read: Enterprise Value Revenue

In 2019, the Small Enterprise Foundation launched a Graduate Programme, which aimed to equip young women with the skills and knowledge needed to start and manage their own businesses.

The programme was designed to provide a comprehensive training and support system, empowering graduates to become successful entrepreneurs.

The Small Enterprise Foundation partnered with the University of Pretoria to offer a one-year postgraduate diploma in entrepreneurship, which was a key component of the Graduate Programme.

Graduates who completed the programme received a stipend and were required to repay it once they started earning a income from their businesses.

The programme had a strong focus on financial literacy and management, which was essential for the graduates to manage their businesses effectively.

Graduates who completed the programme reported a significant increase in their income and business skills, with some even starting their own successful businesses.

By providing young women with the necessary skills and support, the Small Enterprise Foundation's Graduate Programme helped to break the cycle of poverty and unemployment in rural communities.

The Small Enterprise Foundation is a non-profit organization that focuses on poverty alleviation and economic empowerment of the poor in rural South Africa. It was founded in 1996.

The foundation's primary industry is microfinance, providing financial services to micro-entrepreneurs and small business owners. This includes loans, savings, and insurance products.

The Small Enterprise Foundation's classification as a microfinance institution allows it to operate with a focus on poverty alleviation and economic development.

For your interest: Omidyar-Tufts Microfinance Fund

The NAICS code is a six-digit classification code used to identify specific industries and businesses in the United States.

NAICS codes are used by the government and businesses to categorize and analyze economic data, making it easier to identify trends and patterns.

Small Enterprise Foundation has multiple NAICS codes: 81, 8133, 813, 81331, and 813311.

NAICS codes can be used to determine the type of business, its size, and its location.

For example, the NAICS code 8133 specifically identifies "Professional Organizations" and is one of the codes assigned to Small Enterprise Foundation.

The SIC code is a system used to classify businesses by industry.

The Small Enterprise Foundation has SIC codes 839 and 83.

SIC codes are used to identify specific industries and businesses.

The SIC code can be used for various purposes, such as tax and regulatory compliance.

Businesses like the Small Enterprise Foundation can use their SIC codes to identify their industry and compare themselves to others.

The Small Enterprise Foundation focuses on several key areas to support its mission.

Microfinance is a core component, providing small loans to entrepreneurs in rural areas.

These loans are designed to be manageable, with a maximum amount of R10,000 and a repayment period of up to 12 months.

The organization also offers training and support to help entrepreneurs develop their business skills.

The Small Enterprise Foundation has a strong commitment to community development, working closely with local organizations and government agencies.

This approach has helped to create a network of support for entrepreneurs, making it easier for them to access resources and advice.

The organization's focus on rural areas has also helped to address the issue of poverty and inequality in these communities.

By providing access to finance and training, the Small Enterprise Foundation is helping to create a more equitable society.

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