Grants and loans up to R15 million for South African small business
South Africa's merged small-business agency, combining the old Seda's development support with direct loans and financial products for small enterprises.
Use when
You run a South African small business and want government-backed grant or loan finance rather than equity.
Skip when
You are outside South Africa, or you need venture-scale capital for a pre-revenue tech company.
Status (8 Sep 2026): Seda ceased to exist as a standalone agency on 1 October 2024 and SEDFA replaced it, adding direct lending that Seda never offered. Products range from non-repayable grants to loans up to R15 million. Individual programmes run in windows - the Asset Assist Programme, offering up to R250,000 in grant funding for machinery, equipment and working capital, opened 5 December 2025 and closed 9 January 2026, so check the current listings.
Alternatives
Equity-free acceleration plus up to $500,000 follow-on in Morocco
Kigali's venture studio and early-stage investor
Mini-MBA and seed prizes for Cameroonian women entrepreneurs
