Where to apply for business funding

For: Small and medium businesses and co-operatives

Government's small-business lender and support agency — loans, credit guarantees and business development support. Formed in 2024 from SEFA, SEDA and the Co-operative Banks Development Agency.

The old sefa.org.za and seda.org.za sites are retired.

For: Young entrepreneurs, 18–35

Grants for youth-owned businesses, after a free business management course.

For: Black-owned and black-managed businesses

Loans and equity for starting, expanding and buying businesses, under the B-BBEE Act.

For: Manufacturing, mining, agro-processing and other productive sectors

Development finance for industrial projects and expansions, usually larger amounts.

For: Manufacturers, exporters, black industrialists, women-owned businesses

Incentive schemes and cost-sharing grants, including the Isivande Women's Fund.

For: Farmers and agribusiness

Agricultural finance, including blended loan-and-grant schemes for black producers.

Some schemes pause new applications — check what is open.

For: Technology start-ups and innovators

Funding to take research and technology from prototype towards market.

For: Formal small and medium businesses

A specialist private lender and investor for SMEs — loans, property finance and equity.