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Amount determined per milestone phase

A milestone-based grant programme for young South African entrepreneurs, launched 26 June 2026. AYEF provides phased, non-repayable grant funding — no repayment, no equity taken. Open to entrepreneurs from idea stage and informal traders through to established small businesses. Funded through a partnership between Absa and the Tshiamo Foundation.

Amount determined per milestone phase

Suits early-stage businesses

A milestone-based grant programme for young South African entrepreneurs, launched 26 June 2026. AYEF provides phased, non-repayable grant funding — no repayment, no equity taken. Open to entrepreneurs from idea stage and informal traders through to established small businesses. Funded through a partnership between Absa and the Tshiamo Foundation.

Up to R1 million (50% cost-share)

Suits early-stage businesses

The Black Business Supplier Development Programme offers a 50/50 cost-sharing grant to help black-owned businesses improve competitiveness. No age restriction in qualifying criteria.

Up to R50 million (CAPEX grant)

Suits growing businesses

Grant funding for black industrialists to establish or expand manufacturing and industrial operations. The grant covers capital expenditure (CAPEX), feasibility studies, and market access costs. Designed to create a new generation of black-owned manufacturers and industrialists with global competitiveness.

Up to R25 million (CIP)

Suits growing businesses

Production and cluster incentive grants for clothing and textile manufacturers. The Production Incentive Programme (PIP) pays out 7.5% of net manufacturing value added. The Cluster Incentive Programme (CIP) offers cost-sharing grants of up to R25 million per qualifying cluster. Aimed at improving global competitiveness of South African manufacturers.

Amount varies by project scope

Suits established businesses

Annual discretionary grant funding for skills development, learnerships, apprenticeships, and workplace-based learning in manufacturing, engineering, and related sectors. Funding windows open annually.

R1,000 to R200,000 (up to R250,000 for agriculture and technology co-operatives)

Suits pre-revenue businesses

A non-repayable grant programme for South African youth entrepreneurs that provides both financial and non-financial business development support to start or grow businesses. Support may include mentorship, business consultancy, market linkages, business management training, and youth co-operative development support.

R50 000 to R1.3 million (award-based)

Suits early-stage businesses

Grants and business development support for high-impact South African entrepreneurs and social enterprises. Covers sectors with strong job-creation and community development potential. Includes annual award competitions and an ongoing enterprise development pipeline for qualifying businesses. The Social Innovation Awards offer grants of R300 000 to R1.3 million; enterprise development grants range from R50 000 to R500 000.

Up to R60 000

Suits early-stage businesses

Non-repayable grant that covers SABS (South African Bureau of Standards) product testing and certification costs for small enterprises. Helps SMMEs meet regulatory and quality standards required to access formal retail and export markets.

Up to R600,000

Suits early-stage businesses

An innovation and technology funding instrument that supports business start-up and business growth through technology transfer and quality and standards support.

Up to R5 million

Suits early-stage businesses

Non-repayable grant covering 50% to 85% of qualifying innovation development costs for South African manufacturers and technology businesses. The PPD (Product Process Development) scheme covers up to R2 million. The Matching scheme covers up to R5 million. Targets pre-commercialisation product and process development.

Up to R1.5 million

Suits pre-revenue businesses

Non-repayable grant funding for technology-based ventures at technology readiness levels 5 and 6 (TRL 5-6). Supports commercialisation of innovations developed in South Africa. Disbursed through TIA-accredited incubators and technology stations.