Nedbank announced a new 12-month business growth programme aimed at 20 established small and medium enterprises in the manufacturing and textiles sector. The accelerator will focus on companies operating in apparel manufacturing, fashion design, boutique brands and producers of accessories, footwear and leather goods across Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape.
What the accelerator offers
The implementation partner, Fetola, will work with participants to improve systems, prepare them for commercial opportunities and sharpen business skills such as operational insight, financial literacy and market awareness. The programme is described as a platform to help SMEs become commercially ready, create jobs and contribute to a circular economy.
“We believe supporting green and sustainable businesses is a key pillar of our purpose-driven approach, which aims to create positive impact,” said Maluta Netshaulu, head of social impact portfolio development at Nedbank. “Entrepreneurship has a critical role to play in South Africa’s transition to a more inclusive, resilient and sustainable economy. Through this programme, we are helping entrepreneurs build commercially ready businesses and contributing to job creation, localisation and the growth of a circular economy that delivers long-term value for people, communities and the environment,” she added.
The fashion and textile sector faces a paradox: more than eight million tonnes of clothing and textile material are produced globally each year, while over 90 million tonnes end up as waste. In South Africa, limited access to markets, investment and growth capital often prevents promising businesses from scaling regionally or internationally.
Recent activity in the space includes AllFashion Sourcing extending its Cape Town platform to Johannesburg, showcasing designers in its programmes. The momentum fed into an event that combined a fashion showcase with the 2026 Green Economy Indaba Awards, Green Economy Indaba Awards, highlighting the sector’s potential for sustainable growth.
For SME owners in the fashion value chain, the accelerator represents a concrete opportunity to gain mentorship, improve operational capabilities and access new market channels. Applications are open to eligible businesses in the three provinces, with selection criteria to be confirmed by Nedbank and Fetola.
Read more about similar initiatives in the SME & Entrepreneurship section.
Beyond the headline, the accelerator’s design centres on a single aim: to empower twenty established SMEs drawn from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal and the Western Cape. By targeting apparel manufacturers, fashion designers, boutique brands and producers of accessories, footwear and leather goods, the scheme seeks to lift firms that already have a foothold in the market. The 12-month horizon gives participants a defined period to embed new practices, while the focus on operational insight, financial literacy and market awareness aligns with the broader goal of building commercially ready enterprises that can thrive in a circular economy.
During the year-long run, Fetola will guide each cohort through a series of structured interventions. Early weeks involve a diagnostic audit of existing systems, followed by tailored workshops that sharpen financial management and market positioning. Mid-programme milestones include pilot projects that test new product lines or distribution channels, and a final showcase where participants present growth plans to potential investors. The staged approach ensures that businesses not only acquire knowledge but also demonstrate tangible progress before the programme concludes.
The global surplus of textile output, more than eight million tonnes produced each year, creates a fertile ground for innovation, according to the source material. With over 90 million tonnes discarded, the accelerator positions itself as a conduit for turning waste into value, encouraging participants to embed circular design principles into their collections. By fostering sustainable enterprise development, the programme hopes to capture market niches that reward eco-friendly practices, thereby turning an environmental challenge into a commercial opportunity for South African fashion SMEs.
Despite the sector’s promise, many emerging entrepreneurs still grapple with limited access to markets, investment and growth capital, a constraint highlighted in the source. These barriers inhibit firms from scaling beyond local borders, curbing their ability to compete regionally or internationally. The accelerator therefore places a premium on linking participants with financing avenues and market entry strategies, aiming to bridge the gap that has historically stalled the sector’s expansion and job-creation potential.
“Seeing designers develop their craft, strengthen their businesses and gain recognition on platforms such as this is truly inspiring,” said Netshaulu, adding that their growth “is a testament to the impact that access to opportunities, mentorship and support can have on South Africa’s creative economy.” This observation reflects the belief that targeted mentorship can accelerate both artistic development and commercial viability, reinforcing the programme’s emphasis on hands-on guidance and industry exposure.
Applications remain open to eligible businesses across the three provinces, with the selection process to be finalised by Nedbank and Fetola in the coming weeks. Once chosen, participants will receive an onboarding package outlining the programme calendar, required deliverables and key contact points. The first cohort is slated to commence shortly after the selection round, setting in motion the twelve-month journey that will culminate in a final exhibition and potential investment pitches.
