NEF Rural, Township and Community Development Fund
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
R1 000 000 – R50 000 000
Funding for community-owned and township businesses, co-operatives and rural projects that create jobs where they are most needed.
Grants, loans, incentives and competitions from government, development financiers, foundations and corporates. Amounts and eligibility as published by the funder; every card links to the funder's own application page. 34 programmes listed.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
R1 000 000 – R50 000 000
Funding for community-owned and township businesses, co-operatives and rural projects that create jobs where they are most needed.
Most "government funding" is a loan or a cost-sharing incentive. True grants (NYDA, BBSDP, TIA seed, foundations) are competitive and paid to suppliers, not to you.
CIPC registration, a SARS tax compliance pin, a business bank account, six months of statements and three quotations per item. Incomplete packs are the main reason for rejection.
No funder on this page charges an application fee. Anyone asking for a "processing fee" for NYDA, SEDFA or dtic money is a scam. Read our 2026 funding guide.