Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Sasol Enterprise and Supplier Development
Find the information you need.
Explore the frequently asked questions below for guidance on Sasol ESD programmes, eligibility, business development support, Linkage, supplier registration and funding.
ABOUT SASOL ENTERPRISE AND SUPPLIER DEVELOPMENT
What is Sasol Enterprise and Supplier Development (ESD)?
Sasol Enterprise and Supplier Development identifies, develops and supports qualifying small and medium enterprises to become more competitive, resilient and sustainable businesses. ESD forms part of Sasol’s broader Transformation Strategy and seeks to broaden economic participation, strengthen local economies and develop capable enterprises that can participate meaningfully in value chains.
What is the purpose of Sasol ESD?
Sasol ESD is mandated to identify, develop and sustain a pipeline of future-fit qualifying SMEs by enabling them to scale into sustainable businesses. This includes strengthening enterprise capability, supporting greater participation in supply chains and contributing to the transformation of Sasol’s supplier base and the economies in which Sasol operates.
Does Sasol ESD only focus on developing suppliers for Sasol?
No. While strengthening participation in Sasol’s supply chain is an important part of ESD, support is not limited to existing Sasol suppliers. Enterprise Development interventions can support qualifying businesses that are not yet part of the Sasol supply chain, while Supplier Development focuses on businesses already participating in it. The broader objective is to develop sustainable businesses that can compete within Sasol and other markets.
What types of businesses does Sasol ESD support?
Sasol ESD primarily supports qualifying small and medium enterprises operating within Sasol’s defined value streams, priority sectors and local economies. The focus is on transformed businesses with the potential to grow, contribute to localisation and participate sustainably in relevant commercial value chains.
What are the main areas of support available through Sasol ESD?
Support is delivered through a range of interventions including:
• Access to markets.
• Business and leadership support.
• Technical capability building.
• Access to business infrastructure.
• Access to strategic. development partners.
• Access to finance.
The type and level of support provided depends on the needs of the business, the relevant development programme and available opportunities.
Category-specific frequently asked questions.
ELIGIBILITY AND ACCESS TO ESD SUPPORT
What are the general eligibility requirements for Sasol ESD support?
General qualifying criteria include:
• A CIPC-registered business.
• At least 51% Black ownership.
• Annual turnover below R50 million.
• Tax registration.
• At least six months of trading history.
• Minimum annual turnover of R250 000.
• A business operating within a sector, industry or category relevant to Sasol’s value chains.
Individual programmes may apply additional criteria depending on their objectives.
Why is there a minimum annual turnover requirement of R250 000?
The minimum turnover requirement helps demonstrate that a business is commercially active and has progressed beyond the very early start-up stage. Sasol ESD’s development mandate is primarily focused on strengthening and scaling operating businesses towards greater commercial and procurement readiness.
The requirement may, however, differ for specific targeted programmes where alternative qualifying criteria have been approved.
Do I need to be an existing Sasol supplier to receive ESD support?
No. Sasol ESD supports both existing Sasol suppliers through Supplier Development and qualifying potential new entrants through Enterprise Development. The eligibility requirements and type of support will depend on the specific programme or intervention.
Does meeting the minimum criteria guarantee that my business will be selected for an ESD programme?
No. Meeting the minimum criteria establishes basic eligibility but does not guarantee selection. Programmes may have additional requirements relating to sector, location, ownership, capability, turnover, business need or a specific future opportunity.
Selection may also include assessment of business information, interviews, diagnostics, site visits or other due diligence relevant to the programme.
How can I find out whether there is an ESD opportunity suitable for my business?
Businesses should maintain a complete and up-to-date profile on Linkage and regularly review the Sasol ESD Open Opportunities page. Available opportunities may include development programmes, procurement opportunities, funding pathways and other strategic initiatives.
What is a development opportunity?
A development opportunity is an intervention intended to strengthen an SME’s capability, address identified business gaps or prepare the business for greater commercial or procurement readiness.
A development opportunity should not be interpreted as a guaranteed future contract or purchase order. It is intended to improve the SME’s ability to compete for opportunities when they become available.
If my business has previously participated in a Sasol ESD programme, can I receive further support?
Potentially, yes. Previous participation does not automatically exclude an SME from future development support. Further support will depend on the needs of the business, its stage of development, the requirements of the relevant programme and whether additional intervention is justified.
For example, an enterprise that progresses into Sasol’s supply chain may require further technical or supplier development support as its relationship with Sasol evolves.
DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT
What business and leadership development support does Sasol ESD provide?
Support may include business strategy development, entrepreneurial and leadership development, business diagnostics, one-on-one mentorship, financial coaching and other interventions aimed at improving business performance and sustainability.
What market access support is available?
Market access interventions may include sponsored participation in industry events and exhibitions, masterclasses, marketing strategy development, marketing tools, pitch training and SME tender training.
These interventions are intended to strengthen the SME’s visibility, positioning and ability to compete for opportunities.
Does Sasol ESD provide technical training and accreditation support?
Yes. Technical capability development may include technical training, mentorship, industry-specific certifications and support relating to quality and safety management systems.
The intervention provided will depend on identified business gaps, programme requirements and the technical requirements applicable to the SME’s sector or intended scope of work.
What support can I access from the Sasolburg and Secunda business hubs?
Sasol’s business support facilities provide SMEs with access to practical business infrastructure and development support. This can include shared workspaces, hot desks, Wi-Fi, printers, business software and shared services.
The facilities can also serve as access points for business development interventions, networking, information and other ESD support.
SASOL ESD PROGRAMMES
What types of programmes does Sasol ESD offer?
Sasol ESD implements targeted programmes based on business needs, development gaps and strategic value-chain opportunities. Programme availability changes according to business requirements and approved development priorities.
What is the Franchise Development Programme?
The Franchise Development Programme supports Sasol’s ambition to build an inclusive and high-performing fuel retail network. It includes pathways for prospective franchisees who need to strengthen their franchise readiness and existing Sasol retailers who require further operational, financial and commercial development.
What are Sasol’s Local Economy Development Programmes?
Local Economy Development Programmes are targeted interventions aimed at strengthening qualifying SMEs within Sasol’s operating regions and surrounding communities. These programmes may combine enterprise development with procurement set-asides or other market-access interventions to strengthen local capability, redirect opportunities towards qualifying SMEs and stimulate sustainable local economic participation.
What is the Sasol Siyakha Solar Energy Support Programme?
The Sasol Siyakha Solar Energy Support Programme provides fully funded solar energy solutions to qualifying SMEs based on their operational requirements. The programme forms part of a three-year R90 million investment aimed at improving SME energy resilience, reducing operating costs and strengthening the long-term sustainability and competitiveness of participating businesses.
LINKAGE PLATFORM
What is Linkage?
Linkage is an integrated digital Enterprise and Supplier Development platform that supports SME onboarding, development, supplier diversity, funding, preferential procurement and access to opportunities.
Sasol uses Linkage as an important entry point into its ESD ecosystem and to improve the visibility and procurement readiness of SMEs.
Why should my business register on Linkage?
Registration enables your business to build a structured company profile, be assessed for procurement readiness and access relevant development, funding and procurement opportunities made available through the platform.
Is there a fee for SMEs to register on Linkage?
No. SMEs do not pay a registration or subscription fee to access Linkage.
How do I register on Linkage?
SMEs seeking to enter the Sasol ESD ecosystem can use Sasol’s Linkage self-registration link https://sasol.linkage.co.za/self-register and complete the required pre-qualification information.
Where the business meets the applicable pre-qualification criteria, it can proceed through the onboarding process and complete its full company profile.
What does my Linkage grading mean?
Linkage assesses SMEs according to their level of procurement readiness using five grading levels:
• Blue
• Bronze
• Silver
• Gold
• Platinum
Platinum indicates that an SME is assessed as procurement ready, while the other grading levels identify areas where further development or compliance improvement may be required.
Can my business achieve Platinum status on its first grading?
Yes. A business can be assessed as Platinum if its profile is sufficiently complete and it meets the applicable procurement-readiness requirements.
The grade is based on the information and supporting documentation submitted rather than how long the SME has been registered on Linkage.
What should I do if my Linkage grading is below Platinum?
A Blue, Bronze, Silver or Gold grading means that there are areas of the business that still require attention before it is considered fully procurement ready.
SMEs should review their grading results, address identified gaps, upload outstanding or updated documents and complete the applicable re-grading process. Linkage is designed to help SMEs progress through these development stages towards Platinum procurement-readiness status.
My business is Platinum graded. Why have I not received any opportunities?
Platinum status indicates procurement readiness. It does not guarantee a contract, tender, purchase order or immediate opportunity. Opportunities depend on whether Sasol has a business requirement for the specific goods or services, whether an existing contract already covers the requirement and whether the SME meets the requirements for that particular scope.
Do I have to be part of a Sasol ESD programme to register on Linkage?
No. Linkage is not limited to SMEs already participating in a Sasol ESD development programme. The platform provides different routes through which qualifying SMEs can register and access relevant opportunities.
PROCUREMENT, ARIBA AND SUPPLIER REGISTRATION
What is the difference between Linkage and SAP Ariba?
The platforms serve different purposes.
Linkage supports SME profiling, development, procurement readiness, preferential procurement visibility, funding and access to relevant opportunities.
SAP Ariba is used by Sasol for formal supplier information management, supplier application and accreditation processes, and online sourcing or RFx activities.
Registration on Linkage therefore does not mean that a business is automatically an approved Sasol vendor.
Do I need to register on both Linkage and SAP Ariba?
The platforms perform different functions. SMEs are encouraged to maintain their Linkage profile for ESD, procurement-readiness and opportunity visibility purposes.
Where a business progresses into Sasol’s formal sourcing and supplier process, SAP Ariba is used for the applicable supplier application, accreditation and sourcing activities. A successful sourcing outcome does not remove the requirement to complete the relevant supplier approval processes before contract or purchase order award.
How do I become an approved Sasol supplier?
Becoming a Sasol supplier is driven by a business or sourcing requirement. Where a supplier is being considered for an opportunity, the business may be required to complete Sasol’s formal supplier application and accreditation processes through SAP Ariba.
Registration on Linkage or submission of a company profile does not in itself constitute supplier approval.
What is supplier accreditation?
Supplier accreditation assesses whether a business meets the applicable requirements for the goods or services it intends to provide.
Depending on the scope of work, this can include technical, safety, quality, compliance and other requirements. The purpose is to determine whether the supplier is suitably qualified and capable of performing the particular scope safely and effectively.
How long does it take to become an approved Sasol vendor?
There is no single standard turnaround time for all supplier applications. The process depends on the business requirement, the scope of work, the completeness of the supplier information and whether technical, safety or other accreditation assessments are required.
The supplier application and accreditation process must be completed before a supplier can be formally approved for the applicable scope where approval is required.
NB: ESD does not issue vendor numbers. Vendor numbers are generated and managed through Sasol’s formal procurement and supplier management systems (such as SAP Ariba) once a supplier has successfully completed the relevant onboarding, compliance and accreditation processes. ESD’s role is limited to enterprise and supplier development support and does not include supplier registration or the creation of vendor master data.
SASOL SIYAKHA FUNDING
What is the Sasol Siyakha Enterprise and Supplier Development Trust and who can apply?
The Sasol Siyakha Enterprise and Supplier Development Trust is Sasol’s dedicated funding vehicle established to support qualifying Black-owned businesses within the Sasol value chain.
Funding eligibility depends on the specific funding product. Applicants are required to meet the relevant ownership, commercial, affordability and transaction-specific requirements.
What types of funding does Sasol Siyakha offer?
Siyakha funding solutions include:
• Asset finance.
• Working capital.
• Loan consolidation.
• Purchase order funding.
• Tailored funding solutions.
Tailored solutions include funding for women-owned enterprises, township businesses, transporter development, Sasol fuel-station franchisees and Sasol Convenience Centre property development.
How do I apply for Siyakha funding?
Businesses already registered on Linkage can access the funding application functionality through the platform and submit the required information and supporting documents.
Businesses that are not yet registered on Linkage first complete the Linkage pre-qualification and onboarding process before proceeding with their funding application.
The high-level process includes application submission, screening, development of the funding business case, approval, loan agreement sign-off and disbursement where the application is successful.
What documents will I need when applying for Siyakha funding?
Requirements depend on the funding product, but applicants may be required to provide documents such as:
• Company registration documents.
• B-BBEE ownership documentation.
• Shareholder information.
• Proof of business address.
• Identification documents.
• Tax information.
• Financial statements and management accounts.
• Financial projections.
• A business profile and funding motivation.
• Quotations for assets where applicable.
• The relevant Sasol contract or purchase order where required.
Funding applications are subject to due diligence and credit assessment.
GETTING HELP
Where can I get more information or assistance?
General Sasol ESD enquiries and Linkage support enquiries can be directed to info.esd@sasol.com. Sasol also provides onsite SME support through the Sasolburg Business Incubator and Secunda Small Business Centre.