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B-BBEE for small business is simpler than most owners think: if your annual turnover is under R10 million you are an Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME) and automatically qualify for a B-BBEE level, but you still need a sworn affidavit and a clear grasp of how the scorecard affects your contracts. BOTI’s practical training equips SME owners, managers and admin teams to handle B-BBEE compliance confidently, protect tender access and use skills development spend strategically.
This page explains what the training covers, who it is for, how BOTI delivers it nationally, the certification and funding routes, and answers the questions SA business buyers ask most.
The business problem this training solves
Many small businesses lose contracts, points or buyer confidence not because their B-BBEE status is poor, but because nobody on the team understands how it actually works. Common pain points we hear from SA SMEs include:
- Confusion over whether the business is an EME or a Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) and what each requires.
- Letting a sworn affidavit lapse and being treated as non-compliant on a tender.
- Misunderstanding the skills development element and spending budget that earns no points.
- No internal capability to read a B-BBEE certificate or scorecard, so the business relies entirely on costly consultants.
- Missing growth opportunities with corporates and government because procurement teams cannot verify your status.
This course turns B-BBEE from a once-a-year scramble into a managed, understood part of how the business operates and wins work.
Who this course is for
This is corporate training for SA businesses upskilling their own staff and teams — not a job-seeker or student qualification. It is ideal for:
- SME owners and directors who need to own B-BBEE strategy.
- Financial managers, bookkeepers and admin staff who maintain compliance records and affidavits.
- Operations and sales managers who respond to tenders and supplier questionnaires.
- HR and L&D coordinators linking skills development to B-BBEE points.
- Procurement officers in growing firms who must verify supplier status.
Teams from larger organisations who manage SME suppliers within their enterprise and supplier development (ESD) programmes also benefit from understanding how their small suppliers are scored.
What the course covers (outline and modules)
The programme is practical and scenario-based, built around the SA business reality.
Module 1 — B-BBEE foundations and the legal framework. The B-BBEE Act, the Codes of Good Practice, the role of the B-BBEE Commission, and why B-BBEE matters commercially for SMEs.
Module 2 — Knowing your category: EME, QSE and Generic. Turnover thresholds, what an EME (under R10m turnover) must do, what a QSE (R10m–R50m turnover) must do, and when the full Generic scorecard applies.
Module 3 — The sworn affidavit and B-BBEE certificate. How EMEs and QSEs use sworn affidavits, what a verification certificate is, validity periods, and how to keep documentation tender-ready.
Module 4 — The five scorecard elements explained. Ownership, Management Control, Skills Development, Enterprise & Supplier Development, and Socio-Economic Development — what each measures and where SMEs realistically earn points.
Module 5 — Black ownership and the impact on your level. How ownership percentages change your status, the value of black ownership for EMEs and QSEs, and common ownership structures.
Module 6 — Skills development as a strategic lever. Linking the SDL, your training spend and B-BBEE points; using learnerships and accredited training to score; building a workplace skills plan.
Module 7 — B-BBEE, procurement and winning work. How corporate and government buyers use your B-BBEE status, preferential procurement, and how to position your certificate in tenders and supplier registrations.
Module 8 — Building a simple annual compliance plan. A repeatable internal process so compliance is maintained, not rediscovered each year.
Note on procurement preference: under the PPPFA 2022 framework, tender preference points are awarded against specific goals set by the buyer (which may include HDI ownership by race, gender and disability, and RDP objectives) using the 80/20 or 90/10 systems — not a generic B-BBEE level on its own. SMEs should also be aware of set-asides introduced under the Public Procurement Act 28 of 2024. This training gives general guidance to help you respond accurately; it is not legal advice.
Skills development and B-BBEE points — the SME opportunity
This is where training and compliance meet. Two figures matter:
- SDL (Skills Development Levy) = 1% of payroll, paid by employers above the registration threshold.
- The B-BBEE skills development target = 6% of the leviable amount (not 6% of payroll) for the skills development element on the scorecard.
For a small business, structuring training spend correctly means the money you already invest in your people can also support your B-BBEE position. The course shows you how to plan training that develops your team and contributes to your scorecard, rather than spending blind.
Delivery formats and national reach
BOTI delivers this training flexibly to suit busy SME teams:
| Format | Best for |
|---|---|
| In-house / on-site | Teams who want training at their premises, tailored to their business |
| Virtual / live online | Distributed teams and remote staff anywhere in SA |
| Public scheduled sessions | Individuals or small groups |
| Blended | A mix of live facilitation and self-paced work |
We train clients in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, and nationally via live online delivery. Content can be customised to your sector and turnover band.
Certification
This B-BBEE for small business course is a practical, facilitator-led skills programme; delegates receive a BOTI certificate of completion (this is not an accredited qualification). It is designed to build real, applicable capability in your team rather than to award a formal credential.
Need accredited training? Ask about BOTI’s QCTO/SETA-accredited programmes in related areas such as Business Administration, Generic Management and New Venture Creation — and remember that, separately, your accredited skills development spend is what counts toward the skills development element of your B-BBEE scorecard.
Funding: use your skills development budget and earn points
You do not need a separate budget to act on B-BBEE. SMEs typically fund this training through their existing skills development / training budget, while the spend itself supports the skills development element of the B-BBEE scorecard. Where your business pays the SDL, planning accredited training thoughtfully helps you recover value through mandatory grants and contributes to your B-BBEE points. Our team can help you map a funded-training approach during a quick consultation.
Why BOTI
- 450 courses across business, compliance and leadership.
- Trusted by major SA organisations including Sasol, Glencore and the City of Johannesburg.
- Customisable, in-house delivery built around your business and sector.
- National reach — JHB, Cape Town, Durban, Pretoria and online.
- Practical, benefit-led facilitation focused on what SME teams can apply immediately.
Related BOTI training
Build a fuller compliance and skills capability with these related programmes:
- B-BBEE skills development training — the cluster pillar on aligning training spend with your scorecard.
- B-BBEE compliance and scorecard training — a deeper dive into all five elements.
- Skills Development Facilitator (SDF) training — for the person managing your WSP and training reports.
- Tender and bid writing training — to convert B-BBEE status into won contracts.
- Request a course quote or booking — speak to our team about in-house delivery.
Request a quote or a 15-minute callback
Want B-BBEE compliance your team actually understands? Request a quote or book a free 15-minute callback and we will recommend the right format and group size for your business. Ask us for our free SME B-BBEE Readiness Checklist — a one-page guide to the documents and steps your small business needs to stay tender-ready. Call 011-882-8853 or enquire via boti.co.za.
Frequently asked questions
1. Does a small business with under R10 million turnover need to do anything for B-BBEE?
Yes. A business under R10m annual turnover is an Exempt Micro Enterprise (EME) and automatically qualifies for a B-BBEE level, but it still needs a valid sworn affidavit confirming turnover and black ownership to prove its status to buyers. This course shows you how to obtain and maintain it.
2. What is the difference between an EME and a QSE?
An EME has annual turnover under R10 million; a Qualifying Small Enterprise (QSE) has turnover between R10 million and R50 million. They have different requirements — EMEs and QSEs can typically use a sworn affidavit, while requirements increase as turnover rises and the scorecard applies. The course explains exactly what your category must do.
3. How does training improve our B-BBEE score?
Accredited skills development spend counts toward the skills development element of the B-BBEE scorecard, where the target is 6% of the leviable amount. Planning accredited training for your team can develop staff and contribute to your B-BBEE points at the same time.
4. Is this B-BBEE course an accredited qualification?
No. This B-BBEE for small business course is a practical, facilitator-led skills programme, and delegates receive a BOTI certificate of completion — it is not an accredited qualification. If you need accredited training, ask us about BOTI’s QCTO/SETA-accredited programmes in related areas such as Business Administration, Generic Management and New Venture Creation. (Separately, accredited skills development spend is what counts toward your B-BBEE scorecard.)
5. Can this training be delivered in-house for our team?
Yes. BOTI delivers in-house and on-site nationally, plus live online for remote teams. Content is customised to your sector and turnover band. Request a quote for group pricing.
6. Is this legal advice?
No. The course provides practical, general guidance to help you manage B-BBEE compliance and respond accurately to procurement requirements. For specific legal or financial decisions, consult a qualified professional, and use accredited verification through the relevant authorised channels for formal scorecard work.