Basali Development Programme

The Standard Basali Development Programme aims to equip black women-owned businesses across various industries in South Africa with valuable knowledge and skills that enable them to build thriving and resilient businesses. In November 2021, Standard Bank, in partnership with Giving Wings, launched the Basali Development Programme. The name Basali (pronounced Basadi) is derived from Southern Sotho, which means ‘women’. This 12-month online programme is designed to grow, scale, and support black woman-owned South African businesses across various industries by closing the growth and support gap created by gender and socio-economic challenges. To date, the Basali Development Programme has made significant strides in growing and scaling participating businesses by creating access to funding, markets, and development through practical online workshops and masterclasses led by subject experts to equip entrepreneurs with valuable knowledge and skills that will enable them to build thriving and resilient businesses.