FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
National, provincial, sector and corporate programmes, many of which most businesses never hear about. Free to browse. With Credly you also see how well your business matches each one, what's missing, and a checklist of what you need to apply.
Absa Bank (Absa)
Loans from R50,000 to R3 million, over up to 5 years, to help SMEs carry out a public-sector contract or purchase order they have already won.
Anglo American Zimele
Fixed 6% interest loans for small businesses in Anglo American's host communities, offered with Absa and paired with mentoring before funding.
Business Partners Limited (Business Partners)
Business finance of R250,000 to R5 million for formal businesses that are at least 50% women-owned with turnover under R20 million, for property, equipment, working capital, acquisitions or franchises.
Business Partners Limited (Business Partners)
Finance of R250,000 to R5 million, usually over 60 months, for established, profitable SMEs buying business equipment.
Commercial banks
Conventional term loans and overdrafts from your own bank. Usually the cheapest finance if you qualify, but the strictest on trading history, financial statements and security.
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic), managed by IDF Capital
Loans of R30,000 to R2 million (debt, equity or quasi-equity) for businesses owned and managed by women, for start-up, expansion, franchising and bridging needs.
Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC)
Loans for Eastern Cape small and medium businesses: contract bridging loans for government purchase orders and construction projects, plus small and medium term loans for assets, equipment, expansion and property.
Eastern Cape Rural Development Agency (ECRDA)
Low-interest loans for rural entrepreneurs and farmers in the Eastern Cape, from small group and sole-trader loans to agricultural and agro-processing loans up to R2m.
Exxaro Resources (Exxaro)
Loans and grants for asset finance, refinancing, bridging and acquisitions for black-owned EMEs and QSEs, mainly suppliers and businesses in Exxaro's mining host communities.
Free State Development Corporation (FDC)
Loans for Free State SMMEs and co-operatives to start, expand or buy a business, and bridging finance for businesses with contracts or tenders. No own contribution is required.
Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP)
Gauteng's provincial small-business funder offers start-up, contract (purchase order), growth, franchise and micro-finance loans, and grant funding to small enterprises that don't qualify for loans.
Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP)
A R300m debt fund for Gauteng township SMMEs with revenue under R20m, lent out through private finance partners that each focus on a niche (supply chain, taxis, backyard rentals, general).
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
IDC loans and equity, from R1 million, for new or expanding food and non-food agro-processing businesses and linked primary farming.
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
Low-interest IDC loans or equity from R1 million to R50 million for start-ups and expansions at least 26% owned by people aged 35 or younger, in IDC sectors such as manufacturing and agro-processing.
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) with Agence Francaise de Developpement (AFD)
IDC loans for smaller renewable energy projects (mainly solar and biomass), energy efficiency upgrades and manufacturing of green products. The fund is meant to reach more black-owned SMEs, and the rate is capped at prime plus 1.6%.
Ithala Development Finance Corporation (Ithala)
KwaZulu-Natal's development finance institution lends to KZN businesses for property, assets, procurement/contracts, agriculture, franchises and micro-finance, through a low-rate Enterprise Development Fund (51% black-owned) and a prime-linked IDFC Fund.
KwaZulu-Natal Growth Fund Agency (KGFA)
Debt or equity finance for large capital-expenditure projects by black-owned businesses in KwaZulu-Natal, with repayment holidays of up to 2 years and rates that can start below prime.
Limpopo Economic Development Agency (LEDA)
Business loans, asset finance, bridging/procurement finance, working capital and franchise finance for SMMEs and co-operatives operating in Limpopo.
Mpumalanga Economic Growth Agency (MEGA)
Affordable loans for SMMEs, co-operatives and farmers in Mpumalanga: business loans, bridging loans, revolving credit, seasonal and livestock loans, guarantees and equity, aimed at people who struggle with bank requirements.
Old Mutual Masisizane Fund (Masisizane)
Loans with business support for majority black-owned SMEs, with a focus on women, youth and people with disabilities. Development finance is for younger businesses; commercial finance is for those trading more than 3 years.
Sasol Siyakha Enterprise and Supplier Development Trust (Sasol Siyakha)
Loans at preferential rates for black-owned businesses that supply, or are becoming suppliers to, Sasol: asset finance, working capital, debt consolidation and interest-free purchase order funding.
Sasol Siyakha Enterprise and Supplier Development Trust (Sasol Siyakha)
Interest-free loans of R250,000 to R2 million for 100% black-owned businesses in townships around Sasol operations that hold a Sasol contract or purchase order.
Sasol Siyakha Enterprise and Supplier Development Trust (Sasol Siyakha)
Interest-free loans of R250,000 to R2 million for assets or working capital, for 100% black women-owned suppliers in Sasol's development programme.
Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA)
SEDFA guarantees part of a bank loan for small businesses that lack the collateral the bank asks for. You apply for the loan at a participating bank or lender, not at SEDFA.
Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA)
Loans directly from SEDFA (formerly sefa) to SMEs and co-operatives in any sector, for buying machinery, equipment and other moveable business assets.
Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA)
Low-interest loans (prime minus 2%) for youth-owned businesses in high-growth sectors, launched by DSBD and SEDFA in June 2026.
Transnet and National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
Interest-free Transnet loans, matched 50:50 by NEF finance, for black-owned small businesses that already supply Transnet.
Vumela Enterprise Development Fund (FNB and Edge Growth)
Quick loans of R100,000 to R2 million at 5% interest (can drop to 0%) for early-stage black-owned businesses taking part in an FNB or Edge Growth supplier development programme.
Vumela Enterprise Development Fund (FNB and Edge Growth)
Loans of R1 million to R10 million over 3 to 5 years for black-owned B2B suppliers in their early growth phase with revenue of R5 million to R50 million.
Absa Group (Absa)
Grants paid in phases as milestones are met, with no repayment and no equity taken, plus mentorship and market access, for black-owned businesses run by 18 to 35 year olds.
Agricultural Sector Education and Training Authority (AgriSETA)
Pays for agricultural training: learnerships, skills programmes, internships, artisan development and support for rural structures. SMMEs, co-operatives and farmers apply for their staff or members, usually with an accredited training provider.
Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC)
Grants for arts, culture and heritage businesses and organisations: up to R2 million for cultural and creative industry projects and up to R1 million for touring ventures.
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
Non-repayable grant towards developing an innovative product or process, from the end of basic research to a pre-production prototype. The Product Process Development scheme pays up to R2 million; the Matching scheme pays up to R5 million.
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
Cost-sharing grant of up to R5 million a year for up to three years (R15 million total) for businesses doing applied R&D with a South African university or public research institution. It includes student bursaries.
Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC)
A grant towards export-specific costs (international registration, packaging and labelling, certification, product testing, specialised shipping) for Eastern Cape producers entering or growing in foreign markets.
Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC)
Non-repayable grants for equipment and materials for registered co-operatives in the Eastern Cape, paid directly to suppliers.
Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC)
Financial support of up to R150k for formal and informal micro and small businesses in Eastern Cape townships, rural areas and small towns, mostly for equipment and infrastructure, plus up to R30k of business support.
Google for Startups (Google)
A three-month hybrid accelerator for growth-stage, AI-driven South African startups led or owned by historically disadvantaged persons. Each selected startup gets up to R1 million in equity-free funding plus Google mentorship and cloud credits.
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) for the Department of Tourism
Grant for small and micro privately owned tourism businesses to install energy- and water-saving solutions. It pays 50-90% of approved costs, up to R1 million, and covers the cost of a resource efficiency audit.
KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (KZN EDTEA)
A provincial grant for emerging SMMEs, co-operatives and informal businesses in KwaZulu-Natal, split into three tiers up to R2m.
National Arts Council of South Africa (NAC)
Project grants of up to R350,000 for arts practitioners, arts organisations and community art centres working in craft, dance, literature, music, theatre, visual arts or across disciplines.
National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF)
Tiered funding for South African film and TV projects at the development, production and post-production stages. Individuals, production companies and organisations apply in set cycles.
National Treasury Jobs Fund
Matched grants of R5 million or more for established organisations, including private companies, running projects that create jobs. Round 13 focused on MSMEs, the informal economy and the green economy.
National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)
Free vouchers worth R6,600 to R19,800 that youth-owned businesses use to pay NYDA-approved consultants for business plans, feasibility studies, websites, digital marketing, safety files or online accounting.
National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)
Non-repayable grants of R1,000 up to R200,000 for young South Africans (18 to 35) to start or grow a small business.
Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDaT)
A grant of up to R100k in equipment, materials and stock for previously disadvantaged owners of micro, small and medium businesses (including informal traders) in Northern Cape townships and rural areas.
SAB Foundation
An 18-month business growth programme (mentoring, systems, financial management and market access support) for black-owned businesses that have traded for at least two years and have paying, repeat customers.
Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs)
Each of the 21 SETAs pays grants to employers, including SMMEs that don't pay the skills levy, for learnerships, internships, apprenticeships and skills programmes for staff or unemployed learners in their sector.
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
Co-funding grants for SMMEs and start-ups to take a technology from proof of concept to a working prototype and demonstration.
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
Early-stage grants to help innovators turn research or an idea into a prototype and a fundable proposition, paid through TIA's Seed Fund partners (mainly university technology transfer offices).
Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF)
An annual programme for African founders of early-stage businesses or ideas. It offers business training and mentoring, and selected entrepreneurs get US$5,000 in non-refundable seed capital.
Western Cape Department of Agriculture (WCDoA)
Support for smallholder, community and land reform farmers and agri-processors: infrastructure, inputs, mechanisation, advice and training. Every province runs CASP through its agriculture department; this entry is the Western Cape call.
Western Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDAT)
A Western Cape co-funded grant for tourism infrastructure, new tourism products and experiences, and business development and market readiness for tourism SMMEs. R7m is available for 2026/27.
ASISA Enterprise and Supplier Development (ASISA ESD), managed by Edge Growth
Equity, debt or combined investments of R1 million to R50 million for high-growth, majority black-owned SMEs that can supply the insurance and investment industry.
Department of Small Business Development (DSBD)
Grant-plus-loan funding for registered co-operatives to buy machinery, equipment, infrastructure, commercial vehicles and business support. The grant part is capped at R2.5 million.
Department of Small Business Development (DSBD), via NEF and SEDFA
Stock grants, equipment and refurbishment funding (part grant, part interest-free loan) and training for South African-owned spaza shops in townships and rural areas.
Department of Tourism (NDT)
Blended grant and loan fund for black-owned tourism businesses to buy, build or expand tourism enterprises. It is not accepting new applications right now.
Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC)
Loan, equity or blended finance for innovative or high-impact Eastern Cape businesses and projects, including project development finance for early-stage feasibility work.
Edge Growth
Growth funding of R1 million to R10 million, plus mentoring and corporate supply-chain market access, for revenue-generating, majority black-owned SMEs.
Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP)
Loans, or a mix of loan and grant, for township-based SMMEs, co-operatives, start-ups and informal traders in Gauteng that struggle to get bank finance. Run by GEP with the Gauteng Department of Economic Development and the IDC.
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
IDC loans plus grants (with the Department of Agriculture) for businesses at least 60% black-owned in high-value farming such as export fruit, poultry and livestock, and related acquisitions.
Land and Agricultural Development Bank (Land Bank) with the Department of Agriculture
Government grant combined with a loan from a participating lender (Land Bank, IDC and others) to make farm finance cheaper for black producers. New applications are paused for the rest of 2026/27.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
Debt, quasi-equity and equity of R250,000 to R15 million for black entrepreneurs starting a business, expanding, financing a procurement contract or buying a franchise.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
NEF funding to buy, start or expand businesses in rural areas and townships, including agro-processing, eco-tourism, forestry, fisheries and commercial property.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
R2 million to R50 million for larger black-owned businesses: buying shares in established companies, new ventures, expansion, or preparing to list.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
R250,000 to R75 million in debt, equity or a mix for start-ups, expansions and share purchases by businesses at least 51% owned by black women.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF)
A new R1 billion fund (R500 million each from UIF and NEF) to give black-owned and black-managed small businesses seed capital, finance and mentoring, with the aim of creating jobs.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF) with Northern Cape Department of Economic Development and Tourism (DEDaT)
A R75m blended loan-and-grant fund for black-owned businesses based in the Northern Cape, for start-up or expansion in any sector. The business repays only the 60% loan portion; the rest is a provincial grant.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF) with the Department of Tourism
Grant plus NEF loan or equity for black-owned tourism businesses making a capital investment, such as building or expanding a lodge, attraction or tourism facility. The Department of Tourism grant covers up to 50% of approved funding, capped at R5 million.
Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA)
Grant-plus-concessional-loan funding of up to R5 million for businesses at least 51% owned by black women.
Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA)
Loan of up to R15 million (with up to 20% possibly as a grant) for black-owned small manufacturers, run by SEDFA for the Department of Small Business Development.
Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA)
Part-grant, part-loan funding for small businesses in townships and rural areas, such as bakeries, tshisanyama, clothing makers, retailers, mechanics, salons and artisans.
Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA)
Blended loan-and-grant funding for start-ups and growing businesses owned by young South Africans aged 18 to 35.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
NEF venture capital for early-stage projects in priority sectors, so black entrepreneurs can own a share from the start. NEF co-develops the project from concept study through to construction.
Bridgement
Online short-term business loans and credit lines from R20,000 to R10 million, repaid over 1 to 24 months. You do not need a business plan or VAT registration.
Bridgement
Get cash now against unpaid invoices owed to you by your business customers, instead of waiting 30 to 90 days for payment.
GoTyme Bank for Business (formerly Retail Capital)
Fixed-fee business funding of up to R5 million for stock, operations or expansion. You can repay with fixed payments or with payments that rise and fall with your turnover.
iKhokha
A cash advance for existing iKhokha card-machine merchants, repaid automatically from daily card sales. The offer size depends on how much you process through iKhokha.
Lula (formerly Lulalend)
Online short-term business funding from R10,000 to R5 million, either as a revolving cash flow facility or a lump sum repaid over 3, 6, 9 or 12 months. Lula also uses the same product to fund equipment purchases and outstanding invoices.
Merchant Capital
A merchant cash advance of up to 100% of your average monthly card turnover. You repay it through a share of your card sales or a fixed daily debit order.
North West Development Corporation (NWDC)
Repayable bridging finance for North West SMMEs that have won a purchase order, contract or tender from government, a municipality or a private company, so they can deliver before being paid.
Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA)
A short-term SEDFA loan to pay for stock and operating costs needed to deliver a confirmed contract or purchase order with another business.
Yoco
A cash advance for Yoco card-machine merchants, repaid automatically as a small percentage of every sale through Yoco.
Alibaba Philanthropy and Jack Ma Foundation (Africa's Business Heroes)
An annual pan-African competition in which 10 finalists share US$1.5 million in grants (US$100,000 to US$300,000 each), for founders whose businesses have at least 3 years of revenue.
Cartier Women's Initiative (Cartier)
An annual award for women-led impact businesses. South Africans compete in the Anglophone and Lusophone Africa region for grants of US$100,000 (1st), US$60,000 (2nd) or US$30,000 (3rd), plus coaching.
eThekwini Municipality
eThekwini's yearly business plan competition for Durban-area SMMEs and co-operatives, with cash prizes, mentorship and market exposure in three turnover categories.
Nedbank and Raizcorp (Pitch & Polish)
A national pitching competition for South African entrepreneurs with running businesses. The winner gets a prize worth R1 million (R650,000 cash plus a R350,000 Raizcorp incubation bursary); second and third place get R100,000 and R50,000.
SAB Foundation
Cash awards plus mentorship for South African innovators and social enterprises whose product, service or business model solves a social problem for women, youth, rural communities or persons with disabilities.
Standard Bank
Pitch competition for black-owned township businesses: R50,000 for each provincial winner and a R1 million national grand prize, plus a pitching masterclass.
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
20-30% cost-sharing grant, up to R20 million over two years, for businesses investing in agro-processing. Covered sectors include food and beverage processing, furniture, fibre, animal feed, fertiliser and essential oils.
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
A cost-sharing grant of 30% to 50%, up to R50 million, for black-owned manufacturers and related businesses investing at least R30 million in new or expanded capacity.
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
The dtic pays back part of the cost of exhibiting at international trade shows (flights, daily allowance, stand costs, sample transport) for South African exporters, with higher support for SMMEs and black-owned businesses.
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
A reimbursable grant of 20% (30% for businesses majority-owned by women, youth or people with disabilities), up to R10 million, toward machinery, raw materials and competitiveness improvements for manufacturers.
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
Reimbursable grant of 35% (up to 40%) of qualifying South African production spend on South African-owned films, TV and documentaries, up to R25 million per project.
Eastern Cape Development Corporation (ECDC)
An incentive of R10,000 per job saved for distressed Eastern Cape businesses at risk of cutting 5 to 250 permanent jobs.
Taxi Recapitalisation South Africa (TRSA) for the Department of Transport
Cash allowance for minibus taxi operators who hand in an old taxi (bought on or before 4 September 2006) for scrapping, to help pay for a newer vehicle.
Tourism Grading Council of South Africa (TGCSA) for the Department of Tourism
80% discount (90% for TOMSA levy payers) on star grading assessment fees for accommodation and conferencing businesses getting or renewing a TGCSA grading.
Summarised from public programme information (catalogue reviewed 01 Oct 2026). Criteria and deadlines change, so always confirm with the provider before applying. Credly is not a lender and is not affiliated with these providers.