The project involves providing business Support for Enterprises in the Informal Sector. It is an initiative under the Career Path Development for Employment (CPD4E) programme, implemented by GIZ with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) and the European Union. In collaboration with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) and other stakeholders, the programme supports the growth, sustainability, and formalization of Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) operating in South Africa’s informal sector, with a focus on township economies.

Through structured training, mentorship, and improved access to finance and market opportunities, the programme equips MSMEs to transition into the green economy, fostering job creation and economic resilience. The project targeted 50 MSMEs, in the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga provinces, in two key industries – renewable energy; and waste management and recycling– providing them with customized training, mentorship, and networking opportunities to enhance their productivity, sustainability, and integration into formal value chains.