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.
SAB Foundation
Grant funding plus two years of mentoring and business support
A two-year enterprise development programme with grant funding, mentorship and skills, for small businesses that create jobs. Applications for the 2026 cohort are open.
Department of Small Business Development / SEDFA
Grant capped at R2.5 million, plus a loan where needed
Grant funding for registered co-operatives with five or more members, for equipment, working capital, training and compliance. Applications open in windows; the last one closed 20 March 2026.
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.
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.
Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)
Up to R200 000 for development plus R60 000 project support per 12 months
Support for inventors without formal research backing: IP protection, prototype building, business-model coaching and start-up capital.
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.
Gauteng Enterprise Propeller
Micro loans to growth finance; non-financial support at no cost
The Gauteng provincial agency for SMMEs and co-ops: loans, contract finance, and free business development support for businesses in the province.
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.
