DBSA
Loan
DBSA Infrastructure Finance
Large loans for infrastructure projects - energy, water, roads, buildings. For projects over R50 million.
High-Value Funding
Funding programmes offering R1 million or more for scaling South African businesses. Grants, loans, and equity from leading DFIs and government agencies.
25R100M+
25R10M - R100M
0R1M - R10M
R16.9B+Combined Available
R100M+ Mega Funding
Large-scale industrial and infrastructure funding for major projects.
DTIC
Rebate/Incentive
Section 12I Tax Allowance Incentive
Tax breaks for major industrial investments over R50 million. Reduce your tax bill significantly through investment and training allowances.
DTIC
Rebate/Incentive
Special Economic Zones Incentive
Big tax breaks for businesses setting up in Special Economic Zones. Pay only 15% corporate tax instead of 27%.
DBSA
Loan
DBSA Municipal Infrastructure Fund
Funding for municipal projects - water, sanitation, roads, community facilities. For municipalities and their partners.
IDC
Loan
IDC Mining and Minerals Beneficiation
Loans for mining services and mineral processing businesses. Add value to SA minerals locally.
DTIC
Grant
Automotive Investment Scheme
Grants for automotive manufacturers investing in new projects or expanding existing facilities. Get 20-35% of your investment back.
DBSA
Loan
DBSA Climate Finance Facility
Loans for climate projects - renewable energy, energy efficiency, and climate adaptation. Long-term affordable finance.
IDC
Loan
IDC Green Energy Finance
Project finance for renewable energy: solar, wind, biomass. From R10 million for green energy projects.
DOT
Loan + Grant Blend
Tourism Equity Fund (TEF)
Big funding for tourism businesses - get a mix of loans and grants. Minimum R10 million, grants up to R20 million.
DTIC
Grant
Critical Infrastructure Programme
Grants for building infrastructure that supports industrial development - roads, utilities, water. Get 10-30% of costs covered.
NEF
Equity Investment
NEF Strategic Projects Fund
Large equity investments for major black-owned projects with significant job creation potential. R5 million to R100 million.
IDC
Loan
IDC Agro-Processing and Agriculture Fund
Loans for farming, food processing, and agricultural businesses. From primary production to value-added processing.
NASPERS
Equity Investment
Naspers Foundry Investment
Investment from R10 million to R100 million from Naspers for SA tech companies with global potential.
DFFE
Grant
Green Fund - Green Cities and Towns
Grants for green municipal infrastructure - sustainable buildings, green spaces, climate resilience.
LANDBANK
Loan
Land Bank Commercial Agriculture
Commercial farming loans for expansion and working capital. Competitive rates for established agricultural operations.
ABSA
Loan
Absa Commercial Property Finance
Finance to buy or develop commercial property. Borrow up to 70% of property value over 20 years.
DTIC
Grant
Business Process Services Incentive
Grants for call centres and BPO operations creating jobs. Get funding based on jobs created and wages paid.
FUNDRR
Loan
Fundrr Supplier Finance
Pay suppliers early at a discount, extend your payment terms. Improve cash flow both ways.
SEDFA
Loan
SEFA Wholesale Lending
Funding for financial institutions who lend to small businesses. Enables wider reach of SMME finance.
KNIFE
Equity Investment
Knife Capital Series A/B
Equity investment from R15 million to R100 million for tech companies ready to scale across Africa.
ETHEKWINI
Rebate/Incentive
eThekwini Investment Incentive
10% incentive for 3 years when you invest and create 50+ jobs in Durban. Priority for youth and women-owned.
SASMEF
Equity Investment
SA SME Fund
Investment funding for growing SMEs through venture capital. Focus on black fund managers and impact investing.
JOBSFUND
Grant
Jobs Fund - Enterprise Development
Grants for SMME support programmes. Help small businesses grow and create jobs.
JOBSFUND
Grant
Jobs Fund - Green Economy Window
Big grants (minimum R5 million) for green projects that create jobs. You must match the funding 1:1.
WORLD_BANK
Equity Investment
IFC SME Ventures
Growth equity from World Bank-backed funds for established SMEs ready to scale.
R10M - R100M Large Scale
Growth-stage and expansion funding for established businesses.
NEF
Loan
NEF Corporate Finance
Expansion funding from R2 million to R75 million for established black businesses wanting to grow or acquire other companies.
DPWI
Grant
EPWP Integrated Grant for Provinces and Municipalities
Government funding for projects that create jobs through public works - roads, buildings, maintenance.
FUNDRR
Loan
Fundrr Invoice Finance
Turn your invoices into instant cash. Get up to 85% of invoice value immediately.
DSTI
Equity Investment
DSTI Innovation Fund
The government invests in VC funds that then invest in your tech startup. Access to significant growth capital.
SASMEF
Loan + Grant Blend
SA SME Fund Direct Investment
Investment from R5 million to R50 million in growing SA SMEs. Flexible debt-equity structures.
DTIC
Grant
Black Industrialist Scheme
Grants up to R50 million (covering 50% of costs) for black-owned manufacturing and industrial projects.
IDC
Loan
IDC Small Business Finance
Business loans from R1 million to R50 million for manufacturing and industrial businesses.
HAVAIC
Equity Investment
HAVAIC Venture Fund
Equity investment from R5 million to R50 million for B2B tech companies solving real African problems.
DFFE
Grant
Green Fund - Low Carbon Economy
Grants for green projects - renewable energy, energy efficiency, and sustainable transport.
TNET_ESD
ESD Grant
Transnet Supplier Development
Become a Transnet supplier. For logistics, engineering, and infrastructure businesses.
JOBSFUND
Grant
Jobs Fund - Informal Economy Window
Grants for informal sector job creation. NPOs can get R2 for every R1 they contribute.
AFDB
Equity Investment
AfDB Boost Africa
AfDB-backed funding through local VC funds and accelerators.
DTIC
Rebate/Incentive
South African Film and Television Production Incentive
Cash rebates for making films and TV shows in South Africa. Get 25-35% of your production costs back.
DTIC
Grant
Agro-Processing Support Scheme
Grants for agro-processing businesses to expand or upgrade facilities. Get 20-30% of costs covered while creating jobs.
AFDB
Loan
AfDB AFAWA Initiative
Special loans for women-owned businesses backed by the African Development Bank.
DTIC
Grant
Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme
Grants for fish farming - start a new aquaculture project or expand existing operations. Get up to 40% of costs covered.
DTIC
Grant
Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme
Grants for manufacturers to upgrade equipment and improve competitiveness. Get up to 50% of costs covered, especially if you preserve jobs.
BRIDGE
Loan
Bridgement Invoice Finance
Turn unpaid invoices into cash. Get up to 90% within 24 hours. Perfect for B2B businesses.
ITHALA
Loan
Ithala Agricultural Finance
Farm loans for KZN farmers - seasonal funding for crops and livestock, plus loans for equipment and land.
LANDBANK
Loan
Land Bank Development Finance
Loans for emerging farmers - buy land, equipment, or fund your next season. Competitive rates for agricultural development.
IDC
Loan
IDC Gro-E Youth Scheme
Special loans for young entrepreneurs (18-35) in manufacturing. Lower interest rates and easier repayment terms.
KALON
Equity Investment
Kalon Venture Fund
Investment from R1.5 million to R20 million for fintech and enterprise software startups.
DSBD
Grant
Shared Economic Infrastructure Facility
Grants for building shared facilities that help many small businesses - like shared kitchens, workshops, or storage.
NEDBANK
Loan
Nedbank MFC Asset Finance
Finance for vehicles, trucks, and equipment. Up to 100% financing with the asset as security.
DOT
Loan + Grant Blend
Tourism Transformation Fund (TTF)
Funding for black-owned tourism businesses. Get grants up to R5 million plus loans to grow your tourism enterprise.
Ready for High-Value Funding?
High-value programmes require strong corporate governance, audited financials, and comprehensive business plans. Check if your business meets the requirements.
Check Programme RequirementsAccessing Large-Scale Funding in South Africa
Understanding DFI Requirements
Development Finance Institutions like IDC, NEF, and DBSA require detailed feasibility studies, environmental impact assessments, and proof of market demand. Prepare these well in advance of application.
Corporate Governance
Large funders expect proper corporate governance: an independent board, audited financial statements, internal controls, and risk management policies. Start building these structures early.
Due Diligence Process
High-value applications undergo extensive due diligence including site visits, management interviews, reference checks, and financial modelling. The process typically takes 8-16 weeks.
Strengthening Your Application
Include competitive quotations from verified suppliers to demonstrate cost accuracy. Showing multiple quotes for capital expenditure strengthens your funding proposal and shows diligence.