NAFCOC was established in 1964 after numerous consultation with great and visionary leaders such as OR Tambo and his fellow comrades in Zambia and has remained one of the oldest and largest business chambers in South Africa with a representation in all 9 provinces, all regions and local municipality levels of South Africa. NAFCOC’s main objective is to unite, promote and encourage the development of black and small business in South Africa and thereby draw the majority from the peripheries to the frontlines of economic activity and decision making. It was established by black traders in Soweto. NAFCOC’s founding fathers include some of South Africa’s black business luminaries such as Dr Richard Maponya, Dr Sam Motseunyane , Bigvai Masekela and S.Z Conco.These traders sought to use NAFCOC as a vehicle to fight for their rights against a government that treated blacks as second class citizens. Naturally, the organisation became involved in the politics of the day and found itself supporting the African National Congress, which eventually became the ruling party of South Africa.
NAFCOC also contributed significantly to legislation on Black Economic Empowerment and to this day, continues to be an active voice for the welfare of small business in South Africa.

Some of the key programmes that NAFCOC has been involved with over the years include;

• Opposed the past government on a plethora of laws that marginalised the black community.
• Adopted the call for sanctions to bring about pressure for change in the country.
• Developed its 3-4-5-6 policy in 1990 to address fundamental requirements for Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) legislation – related to directors, shareholding, management and outsourcing.

Developed key policy documents that were widely disseminated:

• Land Policy; Economic Policy; Barriers to Entry to Trade; Investment Climate.
• Undertook one of the first meetings with the ANC-in-exile to address the future of the country.