Fund Name

Export Competitiveness Support Programme

Agency

IDC

Type

Loans & Equity

Sector

Manufacturing

Summary

The programme provides repayable funding to help affected manufacturers remain competitive, sustain operations, and continue exporting in the face of higher tariff barriers. Support is focused on stabilising viable manufacturing businesses and protecting employment where export exposure has been materially affected.

Who this is for?

This programme is intended for existing manufacturing businesses operating in South Africa that export manufactured products to the United States of America.

It is suitable if:

  • You are an active manufacturer operating under SIC Code 3
  • Your business exports products to the USA
  • Your exports are subject to increased import tariffs of between 25% and 30%
  • The tariff increase has negatively impacted your competitiveness or sustainability
  • You want support to maintain operations, production, and employment

The programme is not intended for start-ups or businesses that do not export to the United States.

What support/funding you can get

The Export Competitiveness Support Programme provides concessionary loan funding through the MCEP, blended with IDC funding.

Funding may be structured as:

  • Working capital funding, and/or
  • Plant and equipment funding

Key features include:

  • Fixed concessional interest pricing
  • A defined maximum funding amount for working capital and plant and equipment
  • A repayment term that may include a moratorium

Final funding amounts and structure are confirmed during the IDC assessment process.

Calculate Repayments

What you can use it for?

Funding may be used for approved purposes that directly support manufacturing operations affected by increased US import tariffs, including:

  • Working capital required to sustain production and exports
  • Plant and equipment required to maintain competitiveness
  • Operational requirements directly linked to export activity

Funding must be clearly linked to mitigating the impact of increased tariffs on exports to the USA.

Key requirements and conditions

Key requirements and conditions include:

  • The applicant must be an active manufacturing business exporting to the USA
  • The business must demonstrate exposure to increased import tariffs
  • No retrenchments are permitted during the funding period
  • Applicants must be BBBEE Level 4, or commit to achieving Level 4 within 24 months
  • MCEP funding must be blended with IDC funding in line with programme requirements
  • Compliance with IDC governance, monitoring, and reporting requirements is mandatory

Failure to meet these conditions may result in the application being declined or funding withdrawn.

How the application works

The application process generally follows these steps:

  1. You submit an enquiry indicating interest in the Export Competitiveness Support Programme.
  2. The IDC confirms eligibility, export exposure, and tariff impact.
  3. If the application progresses, detailed financial, export, and operational information is requested.
  4. Approved funding is structured, contracted, and disbursed in line with IDC conditions.

A dedicated IDC consultant supports applicants throughout the process.

What to prepare before you start

Before submitting an enquiry, you should prepare:

  • Evidence of exports to the United States
  • Information showing the impact of increased import tariffs
  • Financial statements or management accounts
  • Details of working capital or plant and equipment requirements
  • Employment and BBBEE information

Preparing this information upfront will help speed up the assessment.

Am I a fit for this particular fund?

Answer Yes or No:

  • Are you an active South African manufacturing business?
  • Do you export manufactured products to the USA?
  • Have increased US import tariffs negatively impacted your business?
  • Is the funding required linked to sustaining export operations?
  • Can you commit to no retrenchments during the funding period?
  • Are you comfortable with repayable funding rather than a grant?
  • Can you comply with IDC governance and reporting requirements?

If you answered Yes to most of these, this programme may be appropriate.

Calculate Repayments

Quick facts

Overview

  • Agency: Industrial Development Corporation (IDC)
  • Programme: Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP)
  • Product name Export Competitiveness Support Programme
  • What this is: A concessionary funding facility that supports South African manufacturing businesses exporting to the United States that are negatively impacted by increased import tariffs, with the aim of sustaining competitiveness, production, and employment.
  • Geographic scope: South Africa (export activity focused on the United States of America)

Who this is for

  • Eligible applicant type: Manufacturing companies
  • Sector focus: Manufacturers operating under Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) Code 3
  • Included sectors: N/A
  • Business stage: Existing manufacturing businesses

Type of support

  • Is financial support provided: Yes
  • Support form: Concessionary debt (loan funding)

Funding parameters

  • Purpose of funding Support to mitigate the impact of increased import tariffs on exports to the USA
  • Eligible costs: Working capital and plant and equipment linked to sustaining export-oriented manufacturing operations
  • Ineligible costs: Costs not directly related to mitigating the impact of increased US import tariffs
  • Maximum funding amount: Up to R10 million for working capital and up to R20 million for plant and equipment, subject to the overall MCEP funding limit
  • Pricing: Fixed interest rate of 2.5%
  • Maximum term: Up to 48 months, including a moratorium
  • First drawdown condition: First drawdown must occur within six months from approval

What the support can be used for

  • Eligible use of support: Working capital and/or plant and equipment required to sustain manufacturing operations affected by increased US import tariffs
  • Ineligible use of support: Uses not directly linked to export competitiveness or tariff impact mitigation

Funding structure

MCEP funding must be blended with IDC funding at a minimum leverage of 20%

Business support

  • Support provided: Pre- and post-investment business development support
  • Business support cap: Business development support provided at a maximum of R3 million per applicant

Information you will need to provide

Proof of exports to the USA, evidence of increased tariff impact, financial information, funding requirements, BBBEE status, and employment information

Key requirements and conditions

Export Requirement
Applicant must export manufactured products to the United States of America

Tariff Impact
Applicant must demonstrate exposure to increased US import tariffs

Workforce Condition
Applicant may not contemplate workforce reductions during the term of the facility

BBBEE Requirement
Applicant must be at least BBBEE Level 4, or commit to achieving Level 4 within 24 months after approval

How it works

  • Application route: Applications are assessed by the IDC in line with MCEP requirements
  • Assessment focus: Export exposure, tariff impact, sustainability, affordability, and compliance with MCEP criteria

Contact and routing

Use the enquiry form on this page. A dedicated IDC consultant will contact the applicant to confirm eligibility and guide the application process.

Additional information

Final funding structure and conditions are confirmed during IDC assessment and approval in line with the MCEP Funds Criteria (December 2025).

Contact and routing

Use the enquiry form on this page to submit your interest in the Export Competitiveness Support Programme.

Your enquiry will be routed to the IDC, and a dedicated IDC consultant will contact you to confirm eligibility, explain the required information, and guide you through the application process.

Use our fund calculator to determine your repayments on this loan

Loan Calculator

Estimate your monthly repayments for the Export Competitiveness Support Programme

Maximum term: Up to 48 months, including a moratorium
Typical rate: Fixed interest rate of 2.5%
Disclaimer: This calculator provides estimates based on standard amortisation. Actual terms, rates, and conditions are subject to application approval and credit assessment.

IMPORTANT: 
These results are indicative. Final terms to be confirmed by the fund agency.

Application Considerations:

What You Need to Prepare Before Applying

Most applications are delayed or declined due to incomplete submissions. Preparing the items below upfront will significantly improve your chances.

Core documents (required for almost all funds)

  • Company registration documents
  • Ownership and shareholder information
  • Business plan or project description
  • Recent financial statements or management accounts
  • Project budget and cost breakdown

Project‑specific documents (depending on the fund)

  • Quotes for equipment, infrastructure, or services
  • Feasibility study or technical proposal (where required)
  • Energy solution proposal (for energy‑related funds)
  • Export contracts or buyer information (for export and insurance products)
  • Job creation plan (where applicable)
  • Turnaround or recovery plan (for distress funding)

Additional requirements

  • Proof of sector compliance or permits (where relevant)
  • Evidence of co‑funding or financing approvals (for grants and blended funding)
  • Any templates or declarations specified by the administering agency

What Happens After You Apply

  1. Completeness check – your submission is reviewed to ensure all required documents are included.
  2. Eligibility assessment – the agency confirms that you meet the fund’s basic criteria.
  3. Technical and financial review – your project and financials are evaluated.
  4. Decision and contracting – approved applications proceed to contracting and implementation.

Timelines vary by fund and depend heavily on the quality and completeness of your application.

Important Notes for Applicants

  • Approval is not guaranteed, even if all requirements are met.
  • Funding terms may be subject to final agency approval and conditions.
  • Submitting accurate and complete information is critical.
  • Misrepresentation or incomplete information can result in delays or rejection.

Interested in this fund or have some questions?

Online Enquiry

Direct Enquiry

General Enquiry

Email Address:
siyabongam@idc.co.za

Contact Number:
0860 693 888

APPLY NOW

Find Funding That Fits Your Business

Answer a few quick questions and get matched with the most relevant grants, loans and incentives for your business.
START THE WIZARD NOW

OUR TOOLS

Use the following tools to help you apply:

Readiness Checklist

Check if you’re ready to apply.

Use this tool

Glossary

Understand key funding terms.

Use this tool

Templates & Downloads

Resources to support your submission.

Use this tool

Need Help?

Ask us anything about our funds and services

Hi! I'm here to help you with information about our funds and services. What would you like to know?

Start Funding Wizard