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.
SEDFA / Department of Small Business Development
Up to R1 million (grant portion capped at R100 000)
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.
SEDFA (programme originally run by the dtic and DSBD)
Up to R1 million on a cost-sharing basis (80% grant, 20% own contribution)
A cost-sharing grant for majority black-owned businesses with at least a year of trading: machinery and equipment, ICT, business development and marketing.
Department of Small Business Development / SEDFA
Up to R15 million; grant of up to 20% capped at R2 million
Blended funding for small manufacturers: a grant of up to 20% (max R2 million) with the balance as a prime-linked loan over up to 84 months.
Department of Small Business Development with SEDFA and the NEF
Per-shop package for stock, equipment and compliance (confirm the current cap on the SEDFA page)
A dedicated fund to formalise and stock township spaza shops owned by South Africans: stock, refrigeration and shelving, plus registration and compliance support.
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
Cost-sharing grant of 30% to 50% of the investment, up to R50 million
A large cost-sharing grant for black-owned industrial businesses building or expanding manufacturing capacity, usually paired with IDC or NEF loans.
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)
Rebate of 25% to 35% of qualifying South African production spend
Cash rebates on money spent in South Africa making films and series, with a dedicated window for emerging black filmmakers.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
R250 000 – R15 000 000
Loans and quasi-equity for black entrepreneurs starting a business, buying a franchise, or financing a signed tender or purchase order.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
R2 000 000 – R75 000 000
Growth capital for established black-owned businesses: buying a stake in a company, expanding operations, or funding a large new venture.
National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
R250 000 – R75 000 000
A ring-fenced pool of NEF funding for businesses majority-owned by black women, across all NEF products from start-up to expansion.
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.
National Empowerment Fund with the Department of Tourism
Up to R5 million: half grant, half loan at concessionary rates
Blended funding for black-owned tourism businesses buying, building or expanding guesthouses, lodges, tour operations and attractions.
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
From R1 million; loans, equity and quasi-equity
South Africa's largest development financier: loans, equity and blended products for projects that build industrial capacity, with flexible repayment and moratoriums.
Land Bank with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development
Grant portion plus loan; the grant share is higher for smaller producers
A grant-and-loan package for black producers to buy land, equipment, livestock and inputs, replacing part of the debt with a government grant.
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.
