NYDA Grant Programme: up to R200 000 (R250 000 for co-ops, agri and tech)
National Youth Development Agency (NYDA)
A pure grant (no repayment) for young South Africans aged 18 to 35 starting or growing a business, paid to suppliers for equipment and stock.
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The NYDA Grant Programme is the best-known free money for young entrepreneurs in South Africa. It funds individuals and youth-owned businesses up to R200 000, and co-operatives, agriculture and technology projects up to R250 000. Nothing is repaid, but the grant is paid to your suppliers against quotations, not into your bank account.
Alongside the money NYDA gives business management training, mentorship and market linkages, and expects you to complete the training before disbursement. Decisions take about 30 working days after a complete application, and disbursement roughly another 30.
The programme is heavily oversubscribed. Applications that win have a specific product, three supplier quotations, a realistic cash-flow forecast, and evidence of some trading or a signed customer.
Who qualifies
South African citizen aged 18 to 35; business 100% youth-owned (co-ops: all members 18–35, five or more, turnover under R1 million); registered or willing to register; not funded by NYDA before for the same purpose.
How to apply
Apply online on the NYDA grants portal or at any NYDA branch. Bring ID, CIPC documents, a business plan, three quotations and three months of bank statements.
Insly is not the funder and charges nothing. Amounts and rules are as published by National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and were last checked 15 Sept 2026; confirm on their site before applying. No legitimate funder charges an application fee.