Nedbank has launched The Nedbank Fashion Accelerator, a 12-month business growth programme for 20 established small and medium businesses in manufacturing and textiles, according to a company announcement published on Bizcommunity on 8 October. The programme is part of the bank’s Green Economy Social Impact Strategy, and the details below are Nedbank’s own.
What the accelerator offers
Participants must be from Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal or the Western Cape. Implementation partner Fetola will help them improve systems and prepare for commercial opportunities, while building skills such as operational insight, financial literacy and market awareness. The programme is open to apparel manufacturers, fashion designers, boutique brands and businesses making accessories, footwear and leather goods.
“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. She said the programme aims to help entrepreneurs build commercially ready businesses and contribute to job creation, localisation and a circular economy.
The problem it targets
Nedbank says more than eight million tonnes of clothing and textile materials are produced globally and over 90 million tonnes are discarded, which it sees as an opportunity for innovation and circular enterprise. For many emerging fashion and textile entrepreneurs, it says, the step from small business to commercially ready enterprise is held back by limited access to markets, investment and growth capital, and funding and market-access gaps stop many promising businesses scaling regionally and internationally.
The announcement also points to recent activity in the sector: AllFashion Sourcing Cape Town extended its platform to Johannesburg, showcasing designers on its programmes, at an event that included the 2026 Green Economy Indaba Awards. “Seeing designers develop their craft, strengthen their businesses and gain recognition on platforms such as this is truly inspiring,” said Netshaulu. The announcement does not give application dates or a budget for the programme.
For more on business support and funding, see our Funding section.
