Ithala's lending activities are undertaken through the Business Finance unit, which plays an integral role in meeting the organisations core mandate of development and empowerment. 

The Business Finance unit plays a Catalyst role in facilitating development and empowerment for business enterprises domciled in the Province of KwaZulu-Natal. 

In playing this role, the unit carefully packages various products and services to stimulate entrepreneurship, especially among the previously-disadvantaged individuals and communities.

This is in keeping with the Provincial Spatial Economic Development Strategy, as well as the primary mandate of Ithala in terms of the Ithala Act.