Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP)
SEDFA / Department of Small Business Development
Blended funding for businesses in townships and rural areas: a grant of up to R100 000 plus a loan at 5% fixed, repaid over up to 36 months with a 3-month moratorium.
Amount
Deadline
Where
Who it is for
Sectors
TREP is the government programme built for township and rural businesses: spaza shops, bakeries and confectioneries, butcheries, auto body and mechanical repairs, hair and personal care, clothing and textiles, small-scale farming, tech and digital businesses. It combines a grant with a soft loan so the owner is not carrying the whole amount as debt.
Funding goes up to R1 million per business. The grant is capped at R100 000; the balance is a loan at a fixed 5% interest, repaid over up to 36 months after a three-month payment holiday. Money is typically paid to suppliers for stock, equipment and fit-out rather than into the owner's account.
Because the programme is aimed at formalising township trade, you will need to be registered (CIPC or a municipal trading permit where applicable), tax compliant, and able to show that the business operates in a township or rural area.
Who qualifies
100% South African-owned business located in a township or rural area; registered and tax compliant; owner actively involved. Priority to youth, women and people with disabilities.
How to apply
Apply through the TREP page on sedfa.org.za or at a SEDFA branch. Have quotations for what you want funded ready.
Insly is not the funder and charges nothing. Amounts and rules are as published by SEDFA / Department of Small Business Development and were last checked 15 Sept 2026; confirm on their site before applying. No legitimate funder charges an application fee.