For Immediate Release – 23 July 2025
MUT staff’s PhD provides solutions to SMME financial support challenges
MUT’s staffer, Melvin Mothoa set off to solve a riddle – while the Small, Micro and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMMEs) are projected as a solution to the country’s economic problems, buy this form of business find it difficult to access the cash they need to enable them to make the desire impact in the economy.
While pursuing his PhD at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) School of Business and Society, Mothoa conducted research that uncovered some hard-to-bear truths about this part of the South African economy. “Despite being widely recognized as key drivers of economic growth, employment, and innovation, SMMEs in the region continue to experience barriers such as a lack of collateral, complex regulatory requirements, limited financial literacy, and inadequate support from financial institutions,” said Mothoa. Mothoa conducted his study in Gauteng, South Africa’s most populous and the richest province which is considered the main driver of the Southern African economy.
Mothoa’s research “critically” examined existing funding frameworks, policies and the role of both public and private financial institutions. Mothoa was able to identify key gaps in current financial support mechanisms. The outcome of the study was the development of a conceptual framework aimed at improving SMMEs’ access to financial support. “This framework emphasizes strategic stakeholder collaboration, streamlined funding processes, financial education, policy reform, and the leveraging of innovative financing instruments.
Dr Mothoa will continue his focus on SMMEs even after his PhD studies. “Following the successful completion of my doctoral studies, my focus is now on advancing research in entrepreneurship finance, research management and administration, and policy development for SMMEs,” he said. Dr Mothoa’s study was supervised by Professor Edward Rankhumise and Dr Ephraim Faku. Dr Mothoa graduated on 13 May 2025.
End/
Kindly cite Mbali Mkhize, Senior Director: Marketing and Communications