Funding Directory

The GreenLAB is a green business funding and growth programme for South African entrepreneurs aged 18–35. It offers free training (24 self-paced micro-courses), hands-on mentorship, design thinking sprints, pitch support, market access, and up to R80,000 in outcomes-based microfinance for qualifying green SMMEs. Additional job creation bonuses available. Programme runs over three years aiming to support 1,450 jobs and R145 million in projected returns.

Pre-Seed Fund supporting early-stage technology development including proof-of-concept development, prototype development, technology validation, technical feasibility studies and relevant market research. Focus areas include Health, Agri-biotech, Indigenous Knowledge Systems, Industrial Biotech, Natural Resources, Energy, ICT and Advanced Manufacturing.

Provides finance to renewable energy and energy efficiency projects of smaller scale, as well as manufacturing of Green products in South Africa. Qualifying renewable energy includes solar and biomass (other technologies case by case). Energy efficiency projects may include expansion up to 200% increase in production capacity. AFD funds are blended at a leverage level of at most 50% funding from IDC. Total investment cost not higher than 25% of the Facility (~R250 million per project). Normal risk pricing with a cap of Prime + 1.6% or equivalent fixed rate. Minimum investment period of 3 years; maximum payback based on energy savings of 8 years.

The Agro Energy Fund (AEF) is a blended finance programme established in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) to provide funding support for the acquisition of alternative energy assets to alleviate the impact of loadshedding on farming operations and the agricultural sector. The fund focuses on financing energy intensive agricultural activities including irrigation, intensive agricultural production systems, and on-farm cold chain related activities.

A highly targeted grant fund available to early-stage, small businesses operating in the Green and Circular Economy. Designed to be catalytic and unlock long-term scaling opportunities for businesses unable to access traditional financing options. Covers water, energy, waste and sustainable agriculture sectors or businesses employing circular models.

USAID Grants 2026 Guide for Organizations Seeking International Development Funding Opportunities. This guide explores funding opportunities for organizations working across international development and social impact. For NGOs, nonprofits and development-focused organizations seeking support for projects and programs.

The IDC intends to provide concessionary funding to Energy Services Companies (ESCOs) to enable them to provide financed energy solutions to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) to reduce or eliminate the impact of load shedding in South Africa.

Fund targeting township, small town and rural enterprises significantly affected by South Africa's energy shortage and load shedding, particularly those without the means and resources to implement mitigation measures.

The Embedded Generation Investment Programme (EGIP) supports the development and upscaling of solar PV and wind renewable energy embedded generation projects developed by Independent Power Producers (IPPs) operating in South Africa. The programme offers long-dated tenures of up to 18 years, concessional subordinated debt as a first loss facility, concessional BBBEE equity funding, and concessional local community equity funding. Total funding of US$200 million (US$100m GCF + US$100m DBSA matched), with approximately US$84 million allocated to Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) funding for local communities and SMMEs. Projects must be 10MW to 75MW solar PV or onshore wind, grid-connected, with completed feasibility studies and PPAs with commercial, industrial or municipal off-takers for a minimum of 15 years.

The Capital Projects Feasibility Programme (CPFP) is a cost-sharing grant that contributes to the cost of feasibility studies likely to lead to projects that will increase local exports and stimulate the market for South African capital goods and services. The grant is capped at R8 million, covering up to 50% of total feasibility study costs for projects outside Africa and 55% for projects within Africa. The programme aims to attract domestic and foreign investment, strengthen international competitiveness of South African capital goods, create sustainable jobs, stimulate project development in Africa (particularly SADC countries), and foster linkages with SMMEs and BEE companies.

The Black Industrialists Scheme (BIS) is an incentive programme under the Black Industrialists Policy that aims to unlock the potential of black industrialists operating in the South African economy through targeted financial and non-financial interventions. It offers a cost-sharing grant ranging from 30% to 50% (up to a maximum of R50 million) to approved black-owned, managed and controlled entities in the manufacturing and productive sectors. Support covers capital investment costs, feasibility studies (up to R3 million), post-investment support (up to R500,000), and business development services (up to R2 million). Key focus sectors include blue/ocean economy, oil and gas, clean technology and energy, mineral beneficiation, aerospace/rail/automotive components, industrial infrastructure, ICT, agro-processing, clothing/textiles/leather/footwear, pulp/paper/furniture, chemicals/pharmaceuticals/plastics, nuclear, manufacturing-related logistics, and designated localisation sectors.

The National Empowerment Fund (NEF) is a South African government fund that provides funding and financial support to Black entrepreneurs and businesses. This page is the online portal account registration page, which allows applicants to register and apply for NEF funding products across a wide range of business sectors in South Africa.

The Seed Fund funds applied research, technology development and pre-commercialization. Its objective is to assist small, medium and micro-sized enterprises (SMMEs) and higher education institutions (HEIs) in bridging financing requirements to translate research outputs into fundable ideas for commercialization. Funding ranges from R100,000 (minimum) to R500,000 (maximum) over a 12-month funding period.

The Green Fund facilitates the transition to a green economy where market forces do not adequately value the cost to the environment. It promotes innovative and high impact green programmes and projects, reinforces climate policy objectives and sustainable economic development, builds an evidence base for the expansion of the green economy, and attracts additional resources to support South Africa's green economy development. Focus areas include just transition to a low carbon economy, energy generation and storage technologies, green building technologies, hydrogen fuel cells, transport greening, water sector resilience, waste management, biogas technologies, and youth development within a greening context. Managed by DBSA since 2012 under agreement with the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment (DFFE). Initial funding of R1.1 billion allocated by National Treasury. Provides up to R25m for project preparation/feasibilities and technical support, and up to R70m for investment funding. Supports project funding for up to 15 years.

The Vumela ESD Fund is an Enterprise and Supplier Development fund managed by Edge Growth Ventures on behalf of the FirstRand Group. It provides debt and equity finance to SMEs that meet GreenCape's Green SMME definition and are existing suppliers or previous supplier development beneficiaries of the FirstRand Group (FNB, RMB, Wesbank). The fund supports early-stage growth (debt: R1m–R10m for businesses with revenue R5m–R50m) and later-stage/mature businesses (equity: R10m–R40m for businesses with revenue >=R10m). Uses of funds include Capex, Working Capital, and operating expenses. High social, environmental, and job-creation impact is required.

The ASISA ESD Fund is an industry-wide Enterprise and Supplier Development fund managed by Edge Growth Ventures. It supports SMEs that are existing or potential suppliers to the insurance and investment industries (ASISA members include Old Mutual, Discovery, Sanlam, Coronation, Allan Gray, etc.). For the Green Outcomes Fund (GOF), the ASISA ESD Fund also considers select SMEs that do not meet the supply-chain criteria but fulfil all other criteria. SMEs must meet GreenCape's Green SMME definition and operate in Sustainable Energy, Sustainable Waste Management, Water Conservation and Management, Sustainable Agriculture, or Clean Oceans. Investment instruments include Debt, Mezzanine (incl. Convertible Debt), and Equity. Investment required: R15m–R50m preferred (will consider >=R5m). Investment horizon: >=5 years. Uses of funds include Capex, Working Capital, operating expenses, and buy-out/buy-in for transformation deals.