The Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda) is an agency of the South African Department of Trade and Industry(the dti). Seda was established in December 2004, through the National Small Business Amendment Act, Act 29 of 2004.
 
It is mandated to implement government’s small business strategy; design and implement a standard and common national delivery network for small enterprise development; and integrate government-funded small enterprise support agencies across all tiers of government.

Seda’s mission is to develop, support and promote small enterprises throughout the country, ensuring their growth and sustainability in co –ordination and partnership with various role players, including global partners, who make international best practices available to local entrepreneurs.

This is critical in alleviating poverty in South Africa, as the small enterprises sector has a significant and valuable contribution to make in sustainable and equitable social and economic development, as well as employment and wealth creation.

Seda is committed to building the sector through the development of small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), including cooperatives, so that this incredible potential may be realised. To this end it offers SMMEs advice, counselling, mentorship, guidance and access to vital contacts through its nationwide network of 9 provincial offices, 40 district branches, 4 mobile units, 46 Enterprise Information Centres and 29 Technology Incubators across the country.

Products and services to which entrepreneurs have access include, among others, information and advice, training and mentoring, business planning and registration, incubation and technology transfer as well as sector specific training and development programmes.