Our research and projects relating to the township economy have led us to understand the complexities as well as opportunities which we use as rationale to motivate for the growth of the localised economy. There is a substantial existing and untapped market in townships because businesses are where the people live, the sense of community breeds support, the informal nature of the economy lends itself to opportunity and township businesses are survivalist in nature. The insights gained from customers and from operating businesses in townships should be leveraged to tailor experiences for customers and there is opportunity for localised product origination and manufacturing. Thus, the Asset Based Community Development is one of the various approaches we use in conceptualizing and implementing sustainable community development programmes.