The African Management Institute (AMI), in partnership with the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE), today announced the launch of the Kasipreneur Impact Project (KIP), a first-of-its-kind initiative to unlock the full potential of South Africa’s R2.4 trillion township economy.

With over $1 million in catalytic funding from a global corporate foundation, KIP is set to strengthen South Africa’s informal economy by equipping Kasipreneurs, township-based entrepreneurs, with the practical skills, business tools, funding pathways, and networks needed to build resilient, scalable businesses.

KIP also provides a framework for forward-thinking corporations to engage meaningfully in township development. By supporting last-mile distributors, unlocking market growth, and investing in local economic resilience, private sector corporations can become part of a new model for inclusive enterprise development. AMI and ANDE are calling on other forward-thinking companies to deepen their engagement with township economies through KIP. The initiative is already drawing interest from impact investors, enterprise and supplier development (ESD) leaders, and development organisations eager to support a new generation of township enterprises.

Launched at an event in Johannesburg on 23 May 2025, the programme will also strengthen township-based organisations that support entrepreneurs, such as business incubators, accelerators, and hubs, and provide insights to shape public policy and donor investment.

South Africa’s townships and informal settlements are home to over 60 percent of the country’s urban population, yet the entrepreneurs who drive this activity, spanning sectors such as food and beverage, hair and beauty, car washes, agriculture, auto repair, backroom rentals, and spaza shops, have long been overlooked by formal support programmes.

“KIP is about reimagining township enterprise development,” said Theo Mabaso, Country Manager, African Management Institute (AMI) South Africa. “The current system doesn’t meet the needs of most Kasipreneurs. We’re introducing a new model that is grounded in research, practical business learning, and a human-centred understanding of township economies. Kasipreneurs are the backbone of South Africa’s informal economy, and through this initiative, we aim to elevate them as drivers of growth, resilience, and job creation.”

KIP is grounded in extensive research conducted by ANDE and the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), supported by the Walmart Foundation, and shaped by AMI’s decade-long experience delivering practical business development programmes across Africa. The initiative addresses four systemic gaps: the exclusion of B2C Kasipreneurs from mainstream ESD programmes; one-dimensional initiatives that often prioritise sponsor visibility over long-term value to SMEs; ineffective, untargeted government support; and the limited capacity of township-based Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs) to deliver meaningful, sustainable impact.

It is anchored around three key objectives:

1. Grow and Sustain Township BusinessesDeliver tailored, sector-specific support to entrepreneurs in eight high-impact industries, including Food & Beverage, Hair & Beauty, Agriculture, and Retail.

2. Strengthen ESO CapacityBuild the capabilities of township-based ESOs through practical training, tools, and shared learning, enabling them to provide differentiated, high-quality support to Kasipreneurs.

3. Influence the EcosystemGenerate evidence-based insights to shape enterprise development strategy, guide donor and corporate investments, and inform public policy at local, regional, and global levels.

   
   

“With KIP, we are taking an entirely different approach to supporting entrepreneurs - one that is centred on the lived experiences of Kasipreneurs’and sees them as real partners in the process,” said Ercilia Mata Ubisse, Regional Chapter Head, ANDE Southern Africa. “By backing township businesses and bringing corporate and ecosystem partners to the table in the right way, we have a real opportunity to unlock real growth for township communities and the broader economy.”

A digital platform will support the project by showcasing research, stories from the field, and partnership opportunities for Kasipreneurs, ESOs, funders, and policymakers.

To learn more about the Kasipreneur Impact Project or to explore partnership opportunities, visit www.africanmanagers.com/south-africa