ABSTRACT
This chapter aims to present a national perspective of Small, Medium and Micro Enterprise (SMME) in the national systems of innovation (NSI) of South Africa, and to contribute to the limited literature on SMMEs in the NSI in South Africa and more broadly, to African scholarship regarding SMMEs in the NSI including the link between science policy and SMME promotion. In South Africa, the term ‘SMME’ is used to describe a diverse range of activities that differ in size, sector, ownership structure, formality, and technology. The classification of enterprises in terms of the categories small, medium and micro is meant to enable policy makers and service providers to know the target groups they need to assist with regard to policies and services. The Department of Trade and Industry is the policy coordinating body with a particular role of creating an environment conducive for SMME development and promotion.
