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SEDA Support Programmes

The Small Enterprise Development Agency (SEDA) is the South African government's primary support arm for small, medium, and micro enterprises (SMMEs). It provides non-repayable grants, free business training, mentorship, technology incubation, and market access to entrepreneurs across all sectors, with a strong focus on township and rural businesses, women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

SEDA operates through 54 branches and over 100 technology incubation centres nationwide. Whether you are still forming a business idea, running an informal operation, or looking to scale an existing enterprise, SEDA has a programme designed for your stage.

Important: SEDA Has Merged Into SEDFA

As of 1 October 2024, SEDA merged with the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) and the Cooperative Banks Development Agency (CBDA) to form the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA). This was signed into law by President Ramaphosa under the National Small Enterprise Amendment Act of 2024. All existing SEDA programmes, branches, and services continue to operate while the full transition to SEDFA is completed. For now, you can still apply through seda.org.za or visit any SEDA/SEDFA branch.

Branches
54+
every district municipality
Incubation Centres
100+
tech hubs nationwide
CIS Grant Max
R350,000
cooperatives (non-repayable)
Processing
6 to 8 Weeks
application to decision

Grant & Funding Programmes

SEDA/SEDFA administers several grant programmes. Each has different eligibility criteria and funding caps. Select a programme to see the details.

Cooperative Incentive Scheme (CIS)

The CIS is a 90:10 matching cash grant for registered primary cooperatives. SEDA covers 90% of approved costs and the cooperative contributes 10%. Grants are non-repayable and can be used for startup equipment, raw materials, tools, and assets.

R350,000
Maximum grant per cooperative entity. Covers all industries: textiles, services, energy, agriculture, print, film/video production, consumer, and housing.
Cooperatives onlyNon-repayable90:10 matchingAll sectors

Requirements: Registered cooperative under the Cooperatives Act (minimum 5 members). Majority black-owned. Focused on job creation or poverty reduction. Must include a business plan and 3 supplier quotations. All members submit certified ID copies.

Asset Assist Programme

A newer programme run through DSBD and SEDFA that provides SMMEs with machinery, equipment, working capital, and raw materials. Designed for businesses that need physical assets to grow.

R250,000
Maximum value per application. Covers equipment, machinery, working capital, and raw material acquisition.
SMMEsNon-repayableApplication rounds

Requirements: Registered SMME with CIPC. Tax compliant with SARS. Turnover below R50 million. At least 70% South African staff. Must include business proposal and 3 quotes. Apply through seda.org.za or dsbd.gov.za during open rounds.

Black Business Supplier Development Programme (BBSDP)

A cost-sharing grant for black-owned businesses to improve competitiveness, management capabilities, and product quality. Covers marketing materials, software, quality certifications, and process improvements.

R100,000
Maximum grant per company. Costs are shared between the business and SEDA.
51%+ black-ownedCost-sharingUnder R12M turnover

Requirements: Majority black-owned (51%+). Trading for at least 1 year. Annual turnover below R12 million. Registered with CIPC and SARS. Must have black managers in the management team.

Technology Programme (Incubation & Transfer)

A 3-year incubation programme that provides startups and innovative businesses with facilities, mentorship, training, and grant funding to commercialise technology. Over 100 SEDA-supported incubation centres operate across the country in sectors like agri-tech, digital, food technology, manufacturing, and creative industries.

3 Years
Incubation support with access to facilities, mentors, and technology transfer grants for equipment and machinery.
Tech & innovationIncubation centresFree programme

Access: Anybody with a viable business idea or any registered SMME can apply. Each incubator has its own recruitment process. Contact your nearest SEDA branch or browse incubation centres on seda.org.za/Programmes.

Cooperative Development Support Programme (CDSP)

Administered by SEDFA, this programme supports cooperatives to improve product quality, production efficiency, and scale operations. It can fund infrastructure setup (irrigation, electricity connections), equipment, and training, but does not cover brick-and-mortar construction.

Varies
Grant amount depends on the cooperative's needs assessment. Applications are submitted by email to designated SEDFA provincial offices.
CooperativesEmail applicationsInfrastructure support

Requirements: CIPC registration (CR-10 and Constitution). FICA documents for all members. Lease agreement or title deed. 3 comparable quotations from CSD-registered suppliers. CVs and certified IDs of all directors/founding members. Download the application form from seda.org.za/Pages/cdsp.

Free Non-Financial Support

Beyond grants, SEDA/SEDFA provides a wide range of free business development services. Visit any branch to get a needs assessment from a SEDA Business Advisor.

Business Information

Advice on registering, compliance, and getting started.

Tender Support

Help navigating government tender processes.

Export Training

Import/export compliance, trade info, market access.

Mentorship

Matched with experienced mentors for ongoing guidance.

Quality & Standards

ISO 9001, product testing, and certification support.

Market Linkages

Connecting SMMEs to supply chains and buyers.

General Eligibility & Application Checklist

Requirements vary by programme, but these are the baseline criteria across most SEDA/SEDFA funding instruments.

Who Can Apply

  • South African-owned and operated business.
  • Registered with CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission).
  • Tax compliant with SARS (valid tax clearance or compliance status).
  • Annual turnover below R50 million (R12M for BBSDP, R750K for NYDA-linked).
  • Staff must be at least 70% South African. Non-SA employees must hold valid work permits.
  • Must include a comprehensive business proposal following SEDA guidelines.
  • Cooperatives must be registered under the Cooperatives Act with minimum 5 members.

Application Checklist

How to Apply

You can apply online or walk into any SEDA/SEDFA branch for an in-person assessment.

Needs Assessment

Visit your nearest SEDA branch or call 0860 103 703. A Business Advisor will assess your business stage and recommend the right programme. This is free and takes about an hour.

Call or walk in

Prepare Your Application

With the advisor's guidance, prepare your business plan, gather quotations, and compile supporting documents. For online applications, visit seda.org.za, register an account, and select the appropriate funding programme.

Gather all documents

Submit and Wait

Submit online or at the branch. For CDSP cooperatives, submit by email to the provincial address listed in the application form. Processing takes approximately 6 to 8 weeks. SEDA may request additional information or conduct a site visit during this period.

6 to 8 weeks

Approval and Support

If approved, you sign terms and conditions within 30 calendar days. Funds are disbursed to your business account or directly to suppliers. Post-approval, SEDA assigns a mentor and may provide ongoing monitoring for up to 12 months.

Sign within 30 days

Common Reasons Applications Are Rejected

Missing or expired tax clearance from SARS. Incomplete business plan without financial projections. Supplier quotations that do not match the items requested. CIPC registration not current or lapsed. Cooperative members who are full-time government employees (prohibited unless the employer grants written approval). Requesting funding for items already purchased (SEDA does not reimburse sunk costs). Take extra care with your documents because a rejected application means waiting months to reapply.

Start With a Free Branch Visit

Before spending weeks preparing an application, visit your nearest SEDA/SEDFA branch and ask for a free business assessment. The advisor will tell you which programme fits your business, what documents you need, and whether your idea is fundable. They can also connect you to free training, mentorship, and incubation programmes that will strengthen your application. There are branches in every district municipality, so there is likely one near you. Call the Business Information Centre at 0860 103 703 for directions.

Common Questions

SEDA primarily provides non-repayable grants. The CIS, Asset Assist, and BBSDP are all grants that do not need to be paid back if used correctly and according to the approved terms. However, the former sefa arm (now part of SEDFA) also offers loans ranging from R50,000 to R15 million for businesses that need larger or different types of financing. Visit your branch to discuss which option fits your needs.
For most grant programmes, CIPC registration is required. However, SEDA's non-financial support services (business advice, training, mentorship) are available to potential entrepreneurs who have a business idea but have not yet registered. The Business Advisor can help you through the registration process before you apply for funding.
SEDFA is the new merged entity that combines SEDA (non-financial support), sefa (financial support/loans), and CBDA (cooperative banking) into one agency. It was established on 1 October 2024. For now, all existing SEDA programmes and branches continue to operate, and you can still apply through the existing SEDA website and branches. The full consolidation under sedfa.org.za is ongoing.
Yes, as long as you meet the eligibility criteria for each programme. For example, a black-owned cooperative could apply for the CIS grant and also participate in a technology incubation programme. Your Business Advisor can help you identify which combination works best. However, you cannot apply for the same costs through two different programmes.
No. Unlike the NYDA (which requires applicants to be 18 to 35), SEDA/SEDFA programmes have no age restriction. If your business meets the eligibility criteria, you can apply regardless of your age. That said, SEDA does have specific youth-focused interventions and incubation programmes, and will prioritise applications from women, youth, and persons with disabilities.
The Technology Programme incubation runs for up to 3 years. During this time, your business gets access to shared facilities, equipment, training, mentorship, and market linkages. Each of the 100+ incubation centres has its own sector focus and recruitment process. At the end of the 3 years, businesses are expected to "graduate" and operate independently. Contact your nearest SEDA branch to find incubators in your area.

Important Documents & Links

Official portals, application forms, and resources for all SEDA/SEDFA programmes.

SEDA Official Website

seda.org.za - Apply online, find branches

SEDFA Official Website

sedfa.org.za - New merged entity

CDSP Application Form (PDF)

Cooperative Development Support Programme

SEDA Programmes Overview

All programmes, incubation, export dev

DSBD - SEDA Page

Department of Small Business Development

sefa Loans Portal

Development finance R50K to R15M

grantZA is an independent informational guide and is not affiliated with SEDA, SEDFA, or any government department. For official enquiries, call the SEDA Business Information Centre at 0860 103 703 or email [email protected].