Fund Name

iMbewu Fund

Agency

NEF

Type

Loans & Equity

Sector

Youth & Black-Owned

Summary

The iMbewu Fund supports black entrepreneurs wishing to start new businesses as well as existing black-owned enterprises seeking expansion capital, offering funding from R250 000 to R15 million through debt, quasi-equity and equity finance products.

The iMbewu Fund is designed to support black entrepreneurs wishing to start new businesses as well as support existing black-owned enterprises with expansion capital. The Fund supports these entities by offering debt, quasi-equity and equity finance products with the funding threshold ranging from a minimum of R250 000 to a maximum of R15 million.

Funding is delivered through three main products: Entrepreneurship Finance, Procurement Finance, and Franchise Finance.

Who this is for?

The iMbewu Fund is aimed at:

  • Black entrepreneurs wishing to start new businesses
  • Existing black-owned enterprises seeking expansion capital
  • Businesses majority-owned (51%+) by black South Africans
  • Youth-owned businesses (18–35 years)
  • Women-owned businesses
  • Micro enterprises (0–5 employees) and small businesses (6–20 employees)

What support/funding you can get

  • Minimum funding: R250 000
  • Maximum funding: R15 million
  • Finance types: Debt, quasi-equity, and equity finance

What you can use it for?

Funding is delivered through the following products:

  • Entrepreneurship Finance – for starting or growing a black-owned enterprise
  • Procurement Finance – to support procurement-related working capital needs
  • Franchise Finance – to support black entrepreneurs acquiring or expanding a franchise

Eligible uses include working capital, buildings, machinery, equipment, commercial vehicles, business expansion, energy resilience/solar, export growth, feasibility studies, and infrastructure.

Key requirements and conditions

  • Business must be majority black-owned (51% or more)
  • Applicable to start-ups (under 2 years trading), growing businesses, and established businesses
  • Funding ranges from R250 000 to R15 million
  • Finance products include debt, quasi-equity, and equity
  • Must align with one of the three delivery products: Entrepreneurship Finance, Procurement Finance, or Franchise Finance

How the application works

Applicants can apply for funding through the NEF’s online application process or by contacting the NEF directly. The application is reviewed against the fund’s eligibility criteria, including black ownership, business stage, and use of funds. Applications are assessed for economic merit and developmental impact.

Visit the How to Apply for Funding page on the NEF website for step-by-step guidance.

What to prepare before you start

  • Proof of black ownership (minimum 51%)
  • Business plan or concept document
  • Financial statements or projections
  • Details of the funding purpose (working capital, equipment, franchise, etc.)
  • Information on existing or intended business operations
  • Identity documents for key shareholders and directors

Am I a fit for this particular fund?

You likely qualify if:

  • Your business is at least 51% black-owned
  • You are starting a new business or expanding an existing black-owned enterprise
  • You need between R250 000 and R15 million in funding
  • Your business is in manufacturing, services (tourism, ICT, logistics, film & TV), infrastructure/energy, or export/trade
  • You are a micro or small enterprise (0–20 employees)
  • You have an annual turnover under R50 million
  • You are pursuing entrepreneurship, procurement, or franchise opportunities

You likely do not qualify if:

  • Your business is not at least 51% black-owned
  • You require funding above R15 million (consider the uMnotho Fund or Strategic Projects Fund)
  • Your business has more than 20 employees or a turnover above R50 million
  • Your funding need does not align with entrepreneurship, procurement, or franchise finance

Quick facts

Overview

  • Agency: National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
  • Product name iMbewu Fund
  • What this is: A fund providing debt, quasi-equity and equity finance to black entrepreneurs starting new businesses or expanding existing black-owned enterprises.
  • Geographic scope: National (all provinces)

Who this is for

  • Eligible applicant type: Black-owned enterprises (51%+), youth-owned (18–35), women-owned; micro and small enterprises
  • Sector focus: Manufacturing, Services (Tourism / ICT / Logistics / Film & TV), Infrastructure / Energy, Export / Trade
  • Business stage: Start-up (under 2 years), Growing Business (2–5 years), Established (5+ years)

Type of support

  • Is financial support provided: Yes
  • Support form: Debt, quasi-equity, and equity finance

Funding parameters

  • Funding approach: Repayable (loan / equity investment)
  • Funding range: R250 000 – R15 million
  • Funding streams: 1. Entrepreneurship Finance – for starting or growing a black-owned enterprise; 2. Procurement Finance – to support procurement-related working capital needs; 3. Franchise Finance – to support black entrepreneurs acquiring or expanding a franchise

What the support can be used for

  • Eligible use of support: Working capital, buildings, machinery, equipment, commercial vehicles, business expansion, energy resilience/solar, export growth, feasibility studies, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, procurement, franchise
  • Ineligible use of support: Funding above R15 million; businesses not aligned with entrepreneurship, procurement, or franchise finance; non-black-owned enterprises (below 51% black ownership)

Information you will need to provide

Proof of black ownership (minimum 51%), business plan or concept document, financial statements or projections, details of the funding purpose, information on existing or intended business operations, identity documents for key shareholders and directors

Key requirements and conditions

How it works

  • Application route: Online application via NEF website or direct contact with NEF
  • Assessment focus: Black ownership level, business viability, developmental impact, alignment with one of the three fund products

Contact and routing

0861 843 633 | https://www.nefcorp.co.za/contact-us/

Additional information

Funding is delivered through three products: 1. Entrepreneurship Finance, 2. Procurement Finance, 3. Franchise Finance. Finance types include debt, quasi-equity and equity.

Contact and routing

Contact the National Empowerment Fund for iMbewu Fund enquiries:

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 Enquiries

Email Address:
enquiries@nefcorp.co.za

Contact Numbers:
0861 843 633 / 011 305 8000

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