Standard Bank is pleased to announce its role as Headline Sponsor of the 2026 Buy Local Summit & Expo, reaffirming the bank’s commitment to strengthening the domestic economy through localisation and SME empowerment.
South Africa’s small and medium enterprises (SMEs) remain the backbone of the country’s economic resilience, driving innovation, job creation, and inclusive growth. As South Africa continues to navigate evolving market conditions, strengthening local capacity and supporting home‑grown industries has become increasingly important than ever.
Against this backdrop, Standard Bank’s partnership with Proudly South African on the 2026 Buy Local Summit & Expo highlights the bank’s longstanding focus on localisation and procurement from South African suppliers, both essential strategies for boosting the domestic economy and enabling entrepreneurs to start, manage, and grow thriving businesses, even in uncertain conditions.
Hosted annually by Proudly South African, the Buy Local Summit & Expo is a premier platform that showcases local businesses, fosters collaboration, and highlights the importance of supporting homegrown enterprises. This year’s event comes as South Africa enters 2026 with renewed economic momentum, with President Cyril Ramaphosa recently noting that the country is “on the cusp of achieving rapid growth for the first time in almost 20 years”, following several quarters of steady gross domestic product (GDP) improvement. Against this backdrop, strengthening local industries and deepening domestic value chains remain essential to sustaining this upward trajectory, aligning closely with the conference theme of Localisation: ‘A Critical Imperative to the Economy’.
“As a trusted partner for growth for many SMEs, Standard Bank recognises that these businesses are amongst those that continue to carry the South African economy”, says Naledzani Mosomane, Head of Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) at Business & Commercial Banking, Standard Bank South Africa. “Localisation and the increased use of South African suppliers help strengthen these businesses and ensures that more value is retained within the domestic economy.
“Whether these businesses are starting, managing, or growing enterprises that promote local production, Standard Bank Enterprise and Supplier Development is there with them every step of the way.”
“The Buy Local Summit & Expo is continuing to evolve and remain a space where thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and policymakers can discuss and debate the future of South Africa’s productive sectors,” says Eustace Mashimbye, Chief Executive Officer of Proudly South African. “We are pleased to have Standard Bank on board as a headline sponsor, and we appreciate the value that partners like Standard Bank, who are forward-thinking and committed to growth, can add to initiatives that promote local capabilities, enhance participation in local value chains, and ultimately enable South African businesses to compete and thrive in a dynamic and ever-changing world.”
The two-day Summit & Expo will bring together business leaders, policymakers, and entrepreneurs to engage on critical issues facing SMEs, including access to finance, innovation, and market opportunities.
Beyond networking, it also offers workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions designed to equip SMEs with practical skills and knowledge to address challenges such as scaling sustainably, navigating procurement processes, and leveraging innovation to remain competitive. The collaborative environment ensures that entrepreneurs leave with actionable insights and stronger connections.
“More than just an annual gathering, platforms like the Buy Local Summit & Expo serve as a catalyst for transformation in helping businesses unlock new opportunities, empowering SMEs to succeed in dynamic environments and positioning them as the driving force of South Africa’s economic resilience. By promoting localisation, strengthening supply chains, and creating market access opportunities, Standard Bank, Proudly South African, and the many other partners behind this year’s Summit & Expo ensure that local businesses are equipped to grow,” concludes Mosomane.
For more information on the Buy Local Summit and Expo and to REGISTER FOR FREE as either a delegate or a buyer, please visit: Self Registration | Buy Local Summit and Expo 2026.
DID YOU KNOW?
Standard Bank Enterprise Development ecosystem:
Standard Bank’s Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD) programme supports SMEs by providing tailored financial and non-financial solutions to ensure business sustainability.
Through the ESD programme, we empower SMMEs to integrate into supply chains, helping them grow and contribute to economic development.
The Standard Bank’s ESD ecosystem provides the infrastructure through which entrepreneurs can overcome the access, finance, and skills and resources hurdles currently challenging SME formation in South Africa.
Standard Bank’s ESD team is currently running needs-based business development programmes delivered by our own advisers as well as selected external experts. These programmes provide hundreds of qualifying businesses with the skills to grow and become sustainable. Examples include:
- The Basali Development Programme – a nationwide 12-month business empowerment initiative for female entrepreneurs. Now in its second year, Basali currently supports 100 women-owned businesses from a variety of industries with skills development and thought-leadership masterclasses.
- The Standard Bank Western Cape Accelerator Programme – a 12-week growth course supporting 50 businesses in the Western Cape across various industries with skills development and mentorship.
- The Standard Bank Enterprise Development Programme – a 12-month business development partnership aimed at supporting 10 businesses in various sectors with skills development and coaching.
In 2023, 3,508 jobs were sustained, 2,170 new jobs were created, and 893 businesses received support. In addition, the bank disbursed R43.1m in grant funding and R148.9 million in loans to help SME businesses scale their operations. A year earlier in 2022, Standard Bank’s ESD ecosystem allocated over R30 million to 547 businesses creating 1 388 jobs. A full 220 of the business assisted under the ESD programme were women-owned.
Some of the Standard Bank’s solutions include: The MyMoBiz Account is a business banking solution designed to support SMEs with cost-effective and accessible banking tools. With a pay-as-you-transact model and a low monthly fee of R15, the account offers features such as secure electronic payments, a Tap-to-Pay with debit card, virtual cards, and access to same-day payment settlement tools like PocketBiz. It also provides linked savings facilities, enabling businesses to grow their reserves while managing day-to-day financial operations. For more information, visit MyMoBiz: Small business bank account | Standard Bank.
The MyMoBiz Plus Account is an enhanced option for SMEs needing additional benefits. For a monthly fee of R175, it offers bundled banking services, including 10 free electronic payments and free ATM cash deposits of up to R25,000 per month. Like the MyMoBiz Account, it provides digital payment tools and access to linked savings accounts, helping SMEs to manage their finances efficiently during peak periods and beyond. For more information, visit MyMoBiz Plus: Bundled business account | Standard Bank.
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