Small Enterprise Development Agency was established in December 2004 through the National Small Business Amendment Act – Act 29 of 2004 – as an agency under the then-Department of Trade and Industry (the dti). The establishment merged three entities: Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency, National Manufacturing Advisory Centre and the Community Public Private Partnership (CPPP) programme. The GODISA Trust and the National Technology Transfer Centre were merged with Seda in April 2006, becoming the Seda Technology Programme (Stp). The small enterprise support function of the South African Quality Institute and the technology-related activities of the Technology for Women in Business were incorporated with Stp in 2008. Stp was fully integrated into Seda structures in 2009. In 2014, Seda’s mandate and functions were transferred from the dti to DSBD.

Seda provides business development and support services for small enterprises through its national network in partnership with other role players in the small enterprise support. Seda also implements programmes targeted to business development in areas prioritised by the Government.