Why the 2025 Budget Speech matters for SMEs

By Wandile Mnguni

FOR many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), overlooking the importance of understanding how the upcoming National Budget Speech can affect their businesses, often leads to missed opportunities or unpreparedness for changes that could make or break their growth.

Here’s why the 2025 Budget Speech is so significant for small businesses:

Tax Adjustments: A potential relief for SMEs

One of the key aspects of the Budget Speech is the introduction of targeted tax adjustments for small businesses. The government may introduce revised tax rates, new tax deductions, or incentives aimed at reducing the tax burden on entrepreneurs. These changes can unlock cash flow, allowing business owners to reinvest in their operations or expand their businesses.

For businesses, understanding and planning for these changes is essential. It’s crucial to review your business’s financials to see how these tax adjustments could improve your bottom line and inform your financial forecasting for the year ahead.

New funding and financial incentives

The 2025 Budget Speech may introduce new funding opportunities and financial incentives to support SME growth. This includes more funding for existing grants and new loan facilities through government-backed institutions. These measures aim to increase liquidity, provide growth capital, and improve funding access for businesses.

Staying informed about these opportunities and understanding the application processes will be essential for business expansion, especially during economic uncertainty.

Energy Solutions: A gateway to reduced costs

The government is working to address the energy crisis by investing in smart solutions such as prepaid meters, which could lead to more stable and sustainable electricity solutions.

As energy prices remain volatile, these investments present long-term opportunities for businesses to reduce operational costs and potentially invest in renewable energy sources.

Digital Transformation: A competitive advantage for SMEs

The ongoing push towards digital transformation could be another important feature of the Budget Speech. With increased funding for the digital economy, businesses are being encouraged to adopt new technologies and digital tools such as cloud services and digital marketing platforms that can help improve efficiency and competitiveness.

This also creates an opportunity for business owners to assess their current digital infrastructure and explore new ways to use technology for growth.

Public-Private Partnerships: New growth avenues

The government’s emphasis on public-private partnerships (PPPs) is another development to watch out for. PPPs are designed to accelerate infrastructure development and service delivery, and they offer businesses an opportunity to participate in major government projects.

These partnerships can provide new revenue streams and open up avenues for entrepreneurs to showcase their expertise and collaborate on large-scale projects.

Regulatory Reforms: Simplifying business operations

Regulatory reform is an essential part of the government’s focus in creating a dynamic and growth-oriented environment for SMEs. By streamlining compliance requirements and cutting through red tape, the government aims to make it easier for businesses to operate. This presents an opportunity for SMEs to focus on growth without being hindered by complex regulations.

By staying informed and taking proactive steps, SMEs can navigate the changes introduced and take advantage of new opportunities for growth and development. Ultimately, the Budget Speech serves as a crucial tool for shaping the future of SMEs in South Africa, and understanding its impact can help entrepreneurs steer their businesses toward success.

* Wandile Mnguni, Head of Transactional Banking Products and Payments (Business and Commercial Banking) at FNB South Africa.

** The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Independent Media and IOL.