Funding · South Africa

Funding for women-owned businesses

Some funders set aside money for businesses owned and run by women. The dtic's Isivande Women's Fund is the best known; development funders also weigh women ownership in their decisions.

As with any funding, a clear plan, clean records and tax compliance matter more than anything else in the application.

Who funds this

Public and long-standing funders whose mandate fits. Checked October 2026 — confirm current criteria on their own sites.

Loans
SEDFA
Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency
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.
Apply at SEDFA ↗
Blended
NEF
National Empowerment Fund
For black-owned and black-managed businesses
Loans and equity for starting, expanding and buying businesses, under the B-BBEE Act.
Apply at NEF ↗
Incentives
the dtic
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition
For manufacturers, exporters, black industrialists, women-owned businesses
Incentive schemes and cost-sharing grants, including the Isivande Women's Fund.
Apply at the dtic ↗