31/08/2026
Since day one, Ozow has been driven by a vision of making digital payments more accessible and advancing financial inclusion across South Africa. Supporting SMEs has always been a natural part of that journey, helping more businesses access the tools they need to grow and thrive.
Running a small business in South Africa takes grit, yet the funding and financial tools that could help businesses grow are often far less accessible than they are for larger enterprises.
When Lyle Eckstein, Co-founder and Chief Product Officer, helped start Ozow, the goal was simple: create opportunities for businesses of all sizes by removing barriers to participation in the digital economy.
Our partnership with Lula builds on that same vision. By bringing the funding journey directly into the Ozow Portal, we're making it easier for SMEs to access working capital, reducing friction so they can focus on what matters most: growing their business.
In this episode of Grow with Ozow, Lyle and Leanne Phillipson, VP of Partnerships at Lula, unpack how the partnership came together, the shared thinking behind it, and what it means for South African SMEs looking to access funding.
Watch the full conversation to learn how we're helping businesses unlock new opportunities for growth.
