Funding Guides
Funding by Provider
In-depth guides for each major funding institution in South Africa. Learn about their programmes, eligibility requirements, application processes, and success tips.
Provider Guides
SEDFA Complete Funding Guide: All Programmes & How to Apply
Comprehensive guide to the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA), formed from the merger of SEFA, SEDA, and CBDA. Covers all loan products, grants, business development support, and step-by-step application processes.
NYDA Complete Funding Guide: Youth Enterprise Finance
Everything you need to know about National Youth Development Agency funding. Covers the Grant Programme, Voucher Programme, and Business Development Support for entrepreneurs aged 18-35.
NEF Complete Funding Guide: Black Economic Empowerment Finance
Comprehensive guide to the National Empowerment Fund. Covers all funding products including the iMbewu Fund, uMnotho Fund, Strategic Projects Fund, Women Empowerment Fund, and Rural, Township & Community Development Fund.
IDC Complete Funding Guide: Industrial Development Finance
Everything about the Industrial Development Corporation funding. Covers Gro-E Youth Scheme, Women Entrepreneurial Fund, Agro-Processing, Mining & Beneficiation, and sector-specific industrial finance.
DTIC Incentives Guide: Government Support Programmes
Complete guide to Department of Trade, Industry and Competition incentives. Covers Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP), Black Industrialist Scheme, Automotive Investment Scheme, SEZ incentives, and export programmes.
TIA Innovation Funding Guide: Technology & Research Support
Guide to Technology Innovation Agency funding for R&D, technology commercialisation, and innovation-driven businesses. Covers Seed Fund, Technology Development Fund, and Youth Technology Innovation Programme.
DBSA Infrastructure Funding Guide
Guide to Development Bank of Southern Africa funding for infrastructure projects, municipal support, and large-scale development finance.
Jobs Fund Complete Guide: Employment-Linked Funding
Comprehensive guide to the Jobs Fund administered by the National Treasury. The Fund works through numbered Calls for Proposals - the live 13th round (Green and Informal Economy) closes 30 June 2026, with matched grants from R5 million for sector intermediaries.
Land Bank Agricultural Finance: Complete Guide
Comprehensive guide to Land Bank funding for agricultural enterprises. Lending re-opened after the September 2024 default cure: land, equipment and production credit (amounts structured per application), the Blended Finance Scheme for black producers, and the Agro-Energy Fund for on-farm solar and biogas.
Corporate ESD Programmes: Complete Funding Guide
Access Enterprise & Supplier Development (ESD) funding from major South African corporates. Covers B-BBEE requirements, major programmes (Sasol Siyakha, Anglo Zimele, Standard Bank ED, etc.), and application strategies for accessing billions in corporate ESD funding.
Provincial Funding Agencies: Complete Guide to All 9 Provinces
Comprehensive guide to provincial development agencies across South Africa. Covers GEP (Gauteng), Wesgro (Western Cape), TIKZN (KZN), ECDC (Eastern Cape), LEDA (Limpopo), FDC (Free State), MEGA (Mpumalanga), NWDC (North West), NCEDA (Northern Cape), and Ithala (KZN). Provincial loans, grants, and business support from micro-loans to multi-million-rand facilities.
SETA Grants Complete Guide: Skills Development Funding
Complete guide to Sector Education and Training Authority (SETA) grants. Covers mandatory grants (20% levy refunds), discretionary grants, learnership funding, internships, and all 21 SETAs including MICT, AgriSETA, MERSETA, and more.
Green Fund & Climate Finance Guide
Complete guide to the Green Fund and climate finance in South Africa. Covers DBSA-managed Green Fund, renewable energy, waste management, and environmental funding opportunities.
Municipal Business Funding Guide: Local Government Support
Complete guide to municipal funding and support programmes. Covers major metros including Johannesburg (JDA, SEDICOF), Cape Town (Invest Cape Town), Durban (BSU), Tshwane (TEDA), Ekurhuleni (EDIA), and regional municipalities. Learn about grants, incubation, and local economic development support.
Tax Incentives Guide: Reduce Your Tax Bill While Growing
Complete guide to South African business tax incentives. Covers Employment Tax Incentive (ETI), R&D Tax Incentive (Section 11D), renewable energy deductions (Section 12B), learnership allowances, Small Business Corporation regime, and more.
CASP Funding Guide 2026: Agricultural Support Programme
Complete guide to the Comprehensive Agricultural Support Programme (CASP). Covers the six pillars, eligibility criteria, application process, required documents, and provincial contacts for emerging farmers and land reform beneficiaries.
GEP Gauteng Funding Guide 2026: SMME Finance
Complete guide to Gauteng Enterprise Propeller (GEP) funding. Covers Start-up Finance, Contract Finance, Growth Finance, Franchise Finance, and Micro-finance. Eligibility, application process, and regional offices.
Isivande Women's Fund 2026: How to Apply Online (R30k-R2m Loans)
How to apply online for the Isivande Women's Fund: loans of R30,000 to R2 million for women-owned businesses (50%+1 ownership) trading 6+ months. Eligibility, the application route via the dtic/gov.za, funding structures, and related women's funds - confirm current intake status before applying.
Business Partners Limited Funding Guide 2026: R500k-R50m for Established SMEs
Complete guide to Business Partners Limited, South Africa's largest specialist SME risk financier. Business finance R500k-R50m, asset finance, 100% commercial property finance, the Basadi Women Growth Fund, application process, costs, and an honest comparison with banks, SEDFA, and online lenders.
Spaza Shop Support Fund Guide 2026: Get Up to R300,000
Complete guide to the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund. Stock grants up to R40,000, fridges and shop upgrades (50% grant / 50% interest-free loan), training support up to R100,000, eligibility, documents, and how to apply via spazashopfund.co.za, SEDFA, or the NEF. Open and under-subscribed in 2026.
Quick Provider Reference
SEDFA
Microfinance, cooperatives, business development support for EMEs and QSEs
Active - 2025/26NYDA
Youth grants, vouchers, and development support (18-35 years)
Active - 2025/26NEF
Black economic empowerment funding and strategic investments
Active - 2025/26IDC
Industrial development, manufacturing, agro-processing finance
Active - 2025/26DTIC
Government incentives, Black Industrialist, SEZ programmes
Active - 2025/26Jobs Fund
Employment-linked funding for job-creating businesses
Active - 2025/26Find the right provider for your business
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