South Africa’s entrepreneurial spirit is alive and determined — but running a small business today still comes with real obstacles: access to capital, skills development, the right networks, and the ever-evolving digital landscape. Few institutions understand this better than Standard Bank, and at the heart of their Small Enterprise strategy is Deenash Pillay, a leader who believes in meeting entrepreneurs where they are, walking the journey with them, and unlocking the tools that turn potential into sustainable growth.
In our exclusive interview with Mr Pillay, we unpack Standard Bank’s three core pillars for advancing SMMEs: Access to Funding, Skills & Non-Financial Support, and Market Access through Digital Enablement.