As South Africa celebrates Women’s Month, Absa, in partnership with Oaktree People Solutions, Ignite Entrepreneurs 360 (ie360), will convene leading women entrepreneurs, enterprise development experts and financial leaders for an exclusive breakfast roundtable focused on one critical question:
How do we move more women-owned businesses from surviving to scaling?
Taking place on 20 August 2026 at Protea Hotel Pretoria, Hatfield, the #SheScales ABSA Breakfast Roundtable will bring together founders, business leaders and funding experts for a practical, action-oriented conversation designed to demystify access to finance and unlock real opportunities for women-led SMEs.
Hosted under the theme “A Trade Floor for Business Readiness,” the event has been intentionally designed to move beyond inspiration and into execution. Delegates will engage directly with funding specialists, hear from entrepreneurs who have successfully secured funding, and gain practical guidance on becoming investment and procurement ready.
The event forms part of Absa’s ongoing commitment to supporting entrepreneurship by helping founders understand not only how funding works, but how to build businesses that are ready for funding.
Among the highlights will be:
- Honest conversations around the realities of funding readiness.
- Success stories from entrepreneurs who have successfully secured business funding.
- Insights into practical tools that simplify business compliance and growth preparation.
Direct networking opportunities with Absa relationship managers and enterprise development specialists. - An introduction to technology designed to streamline business readiness and improve access to funding opportunities.
Monnie Mongwe, Regional Executive: SME Business (Gauteng North & Limpopo), Absa Relationship Banking, said:
“At Absa, we believe that empowering women entrepreneurs is not only the right thing to do, it is essential for driving inclusive economic growth, innovation and job creation. Through our partnership with Oaktree and ie360, we are creating meaningful opportunities for women-led businesses to access finance, strengthen their commercial capabilities, and build the networks and market access needed to scale sustainably. Our commitment is to walk alongside entrepreneurs, connecting them with the right expertise, partnerships and financial solutions to help turn ambition into lasting business success.”
Vannie Pillay, CEO and Founder of Oaktree People Solutions, said:
“Too often entrepreneurs believe funding is unavailable, when the real challenge is becoming funding ready. This event aims to simplify that journey by connecting entrepreneurs with the knowledge, networks and support they need to scale.”
With SMEs remaining one of South Africa’s most significant drivers of employment and economic growth, the roundtable is expected to attract women business owners from a range of sectors seeking practical solutions rather than theory.
The initiative aligns with Women’s Month by recognising not only the resilience of women entrepreneurs but also the importance of creating meaningful pathways to capital, markets and long-term business sustainability.
MEDIA INVITATION
Members of the media are invited to attend and cover the event.
Register for the event: https://ie360.africa/events/absa-breakfast-roundtable
Theme: A Trade Floor for Business Readiness
Date: Thursday, 20 August 2026
Venue: Protea Hotel Pretoria, Hatfield
Time: 08:30 – 13:00 SAST
Media Contact:
Sibulele Misani
Strategic Marketing & Growth
Oaktree People Solutions
082 722 5520
[email protected]
Media interviews with organizers, speakers, Absa representatives and participating entrepreneurs will be available on request.
About the Event
The #SheScales ABSA Breakfast Roundtable is a collaborative initiative between Absa, Oaktree People Solutions, Ignite Entrepreneurs 360 (ie360), Under the theme “A Trade Floor for Business Readiness,” the event is designed to empower women entrepreneurs through practical business education, funding readiness, market access and strategic networking. Bringing together financial institutions, enterprise development experts and entrepreneurs, the platform aims to equip women-led businesses with the knowledge, networks and tools needed to become investment-ready and achieve sustainable growth.