Blended Business Solutions, the implementing partner of GIZ for the Green MSME Boost Programme, successfully hosted a high-impact networking event on 17 September at Olifants River Lodge in Middelburg.

The Green MSME Boost Programme, funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and co-financed by the European Union (EU) and the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), with support from the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET), is designed to strengthen MSMEs operating in the informal green economy. By providing training, mentorship, and facilitating access to finance and markets, the programme helps entrepreneurs formalise their businesses, scale sustainably, and drive job creation and long-term economic resilience.

Currently, 50 Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across the Eastern Cape and Mpumalanga – focusing on the renewable energy sector as well as waste management and recycling – are participating in the programme, with the majority (35 enterprises) located in Mpumalanga.

Unlocking Opportunities for Green Entrepreneurs

The networking event brought together more than 60 participants, including MSME beneficiaries, funders, and market enablers. It created a vibrant platform where green entrepreneurs could pitch their businesses, showcase products, and engage in meaningful discussions on innovation, sustainability, and business compliance.

Key stakeholders included the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), PETCO, SAPPI, the Mpumalanga Green Cluster Agency (MGCA), ZUDU (Pty) Ltd, the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality, and the Steve Tshwete Local Municipality’s Waste Recycling Forum.

Gugu Dlamini, IDC Provincial Dealmaker, emphasised IDC’s commitment to driving South Africa’s industrial growth, “IDC supports industrial capacity development by proactively identifying and funding high-impact projects, creating viable new industries, and using diverse industry expertise to drive growth in priority sectors.”

Bornapart Sibanda, CEO and Principal Consultant at Blended Business Solutions, praised the collaborative spirit of the event, “We are so excited and grateful to see stakeholders who took their time out of their busy schedules to attend this networking event. The information shared was valuable, and the feedback from participants shows they were able to build relationships, present their needs to funders and market enablers, and secure a number of follow-up engagements. Equally exciting were the collaboration discussions among beneficiaries, which we believe will spark new partnerships and strengthen the green MSME ecosystem.”

Strengthening South Africa’s Green Economy

The event reinforced Blended Business Solutions’ commitment to empowering MSMEs through business coaching and mentorship, training, and strategic networking. By fostering partnerships between entrepreneurs, funders, and industry stakeholders, the programme is helping advance South Africa’s green economy agenda while enabling inclusive and sustainable economic participation.

About Blended Business Solutions

Blended Business Solutions is a dynamic consulting and training firm committed to unlocking growth for MSMEs and individuals alike. The company empowers entrepreneurs through business coaching, mentorship, and the development of internationally compliant management systems such as ISO 9001, ISO 45001, and ISO 14001. In addition, Blended Business Solutions drives personal and professional excellence by offering globally recognised Professional Evaluation and Certification Board (PECB) accredited training.

For more information, contact Onkabetse Moleko, Digital Marketer and Graphic Designer, email at [email protected], or 012 004 3648, or go to their website on www.blendedbusinesssolutions.co.za