South African SMEs working together to promote fair payment practices.
We build our businesses here. We employ people here. We believe in this country. But late payment is draining the small businesses that keep South Africa working.
On its own, one small business is easy to ignore. Together, we are not. SME Action is a new movement of small and medium businesses uniting for fair payment, and for an economy that works for everyone.
Late payment is a cash-flow crisis for SMEs.
Consistently late payment. Terms of up to 120 days. Invoicing systems that cause additional administrative overheads. One-sided contracts. Many small businesses depend on a handful of large clients - meaning a single late payment can jeopardise salaries.
Behind every unpaid invoice is a business that might fail, and breadwinners with salaries at risk. Goodwill pledges from corporates to standardise on 30-day payment terms have been made before, but without follow-up or consequences, they amounted to nothing.
This time, we act together.
Small businesses carry South Africa’s economy.
66%
of private-sector jobs are in small businesses (2024).
4.8 million
people work in formal small businesses (2024).
19%
of GDP comes from formal small businesses (2023).
For South Africa to work, SMEs need support to survive and a chance to thrive.
Source: TIPS, The Real Economy Bulletin: The State of Small Business in South Africa 2024 (April 2025).
Small business = under 50 employees; the 66% includes informal businesses. Read the report
A partnership for a fairer economy.
1 · Corporate ratings
Members rate customers on: meeting payment obligations, terms & ease of dealing with them. We verify the results and publish only combined, validated findings, never one-sided accusations.
2 · Practical support
Affordable legal help, such as letters-of-demand, and clear, step-by-step guidance on how to collect on unpaid invoices.
3 · Fairer contracts
Working with members and corporates towards standardised, fair contract terms that any business can use.
4 · Collective action
In egregious cases of non-payment, members act together to ensure a fair outcome.
We are against bad payers, not big business. Most late payment comes from poor systems, not bad intent, so we always engage first. We check that the work was delivered and invoiced correctly before we act. And SMEs that pay late are held to the same standard.
More Members = Lower Membership Fees.
SME Action is being set up as a non-profit company. We are not here to make a profit; we are here to make South African business work better. Membership fees cover the cost of running SME Action.
The annual budget is fixed in advance and fees will be based on the number of members who commit to support the movement. We offer full transparency on all fees and expenses.
That means every business that joins lowers the membership fee for everyone... and makes our voice louder!
- Every rand will be accounted for.
- Founding members will lock in a lower rate.
- Bring another business with you: forward this page to one business owner you know. Every new member brings the fee down for all of us.
South Africa works when we work together.
Add your business to the might of many. It’s free to register your interest and takes only a few minutes. Then tell one other business owner: every business that joins makes us stronger and brings the fee down for all of us.