South African entrepreneurs shortlisted for Entrepreneur of the Year awards

Fifteen South African entrepreneurs have been shortlisted for the 38th edition of the Business Partners Limited Entrepreneur of the Year awards. The finalists represent diverse sectors, including fintech, agriculture, tourism, waste management, manufacturing, and education. Businesses were evaluated based on growth, management skill, market strategy, and social contribution, with categories ranging from emerging companies to medium-sized enterprises.

The recognition comes despite a challenging economic environment. According to the Global Entrepreneurship Monitor National Expert Report, South Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem scored 3.9 out of 10, which is the seventh-lowest score among 56 economies surveyed and below the global average of 4.7. Key obstacles identified include difficulties accessing finance, navigating government support programs, and market entry barriers.

Many finalists are noted for addressing local systemic issues. Examples include PB Gaz, which provides LPG cooking gas to township households; Ekash Group, a fintech platform for mobile money services; and Euphrosyne, which converts invasive alien plants into charcoal.