Seda was established in December 2004 as an agency under the Department of Trade and Industry, the dti. The establishment was done by merging three organisations; Ntsika Enterprise Promotion Agency, National Manufacturing Advisory Centre (NAMAC) and the Community Public Private Partnership Programme (CPPP). The GODISA Trust and the Technology Programmes were integrated into seda in April 2006, becoming Seda Technology Programme (Stp).
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.