Fund Name

Women Empowerment Fund (WEF)

Agency

NEF

Type

Loans & Equity

Sector

Youth & Black-Owned

Summary

The NEF Women Empowerment Fund (WEF) accelerates access to funding for businesses owned by black women, offering R250 000 to R75 million across a range of sectors for start-ups, expansions, and equity acquisitions.

The NEF Women Empowerment Fund is aimed at accelerating the provision of funding to businesses owned by black women. The funding starts from R250 000 to R75 million across a range of sectors, for start-ups, expansions and equity acquisition purposes.

In order to provide for different transactional needs, WEF uses a range of funding instruments that range from secured (senior debt) to unsecured options (equity), and/or a hybrid of the two. Pricing is commensurate with the risk taken and the instrument used.

Who this is for?

The WEF is aimed at:

  • Businesses with a minimum of 51% black female ownership
  • Black women entrepreneurs seeking start-up, expansion, or equity acquisition funding
  • Businesses where black women are operationally involved at the managerial and board levels
  • Businesses located in rural or economically depressed areas (encouraged)
  • Start-ups, growing businesses, and established enterprises across multiple sectors
  • Micro, small, medium, and large enterprises (0 to 50+ employees)

What support/funding you can get

  • Minimum funding: R250 000
  • Maximum funding: R75 million
  • Finance types: Secured (senior debt), unsecured (equity), or a hybrid of the two
  • Pricing: Commensurate with risk taken and instrument used

What you can use it for?

The WEF supports the following purposes:

  • Starting a new black women-owned business
  • Expanding an existing black women-owned business
  • Acquiring equity shares in an existing business
  • Working capital requirements
  • Buildings, machinery, equipment, and commercial vehicles
  • Energy resilience and solar installations
  • Export growth activities

Funded sectors include manufacturing, services (tourism, ICT, logistics, global business, film and TV), infrastructure, energy, and export/trade.

Key requirements and conditions

  • Minimum of 51% black female ownership is required
  • Operational involvement at the managerial and board levels by black women is required
  • The business case must be commercially viable
  • Compliance with all relevant laws and regulations is required
  • The business must demonstrate the ability to repay WEF funding
  • Creation of jobs is a key criterion
  • Geographic location in rural or economically depressed areas is encouraged
  • Co-funding with private or public sector institutions is encouraged for larger projects
  • For property transactions, at least 51% of annual expenditure of the business must be allocated to majority black-owned businesses

How the application works

Applicants submit their application and supporting documents to the NEF. Applications are assessed for commercial viability, black female ownership credentials, operational involvement of women in management and board roles, and ability to repay the funding.

Visit the How to Apply for Funding page on the NEF website for step-by-step guidance, or apply online at online.nefcorp.co.za.

A Fund a Woman brochure is available to download for more information.

What to prepare before you start

  • Proof of minimum 51% black female ownership
  • Business plan demonstrating commercial viability
  • Financial statements or projections (audited where available)
  • Details of the transaction or funding purpose (start-up, expansion, equity acquisition)
  • Share structure and ownership documentation
  • Identity documents for key shareholders and directors
  • Evidence of operational involvement by black women at management and board level
  • Details of jobs to be created
  • For property transactions: proof that at least 51% of annual expenditure is allocated to majority black-owned businesses

Am I a fit for this particular fund?

You likely qualify if:

  • Your business is at least 51% owned by black women
  • Black women are actively involved in the management and board of the business
  • You need between R250 000 and R75 million in funding
  • You are starting a new venture, expanding an existing business, or acquiring equity in a business
  • Your business operates in manufacturing, services (tourism, ICT, logistics, film and TV), infrastructure, energy, or export/trade
  • Your business creates or will create jobs
  • Your business is located in or plans to operate in a rural or economically depressed area (preferred)

You likely do not qualify if:

  • Your business is not at least 51% owned by black women
  • Black women are not operationally involved at management or board level
  • Your funding requirement is below R250 000
  • Your funding requirement exceeds R75 million
  • Your business cannot demonstrate commercial viability or ability to repay the funding
  • Your business does not comply with relevant laws and regulations

Quick facts

Overview

  • Agency: National Empowerment Fund (NEF)
  • Product name Women Empowerment Fund (WEF)
  • What this is: A dedicated fund accelerating access to finance for businesses owned by black women, offering secured, unsecured, and hybrid funding instruments for start-ups, expansions, and equity acquisitions.
  • Geographic scope: National (all provinces) – rural and economically depressed areas encouraged

Who this is for

  • Eligible applicant type: Black women-owned businesses (minimum 51% black female ownership); micro, small, medium and large enterprises; start-ups through to established businesses
  • Sector focus: Manufacturing, Services (Tourism / ICT / Logistics / Global Business / 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: Secured (senior debt), unsecured (equity), or a hybrid of the two

Funding parameters

  • Funding approach: Repayable (loan / equity investment); pricing based on risk and instrument
  • Funding range: R250 000 – R75 million
  • Funding streams: Single fund with multiple instrument options: secured (senior debt), unsecured (equity), or hybrid; covers start-ups, expansions, and equity acquisitions
  • Funding structure: Pricing is commensurate with risk taken and the instrument used (secured to unsecured range)

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, equity acquisition; start-ups, expansions, and acquisitions
  • Ineligible use of support: Businesses not at least 51% owned by black women; businesses where black women are not operationally involved at management or board level; funding below R250 000 or above R75 million; businesses that cannot demonstrate commercial viability or regulatory compliance

Information you will need to provide

Proof of minimum 51% black female ownership, business plan demonstrating commercial viability, financial statements or projections (audited where available), details of the transaction or funding purpose, share structure and ownership documentation, identity documents for key shareholders and directors, evidence of operational involvement by black women at management and board level, details of jobs to be created; for property transactions: proof that at least 51% of annual expenditure is allocated to majority black-owned businesses

Key requirements and conditions

Co-funding with private or public sector institutions is encouraged for larger projects.

How it works

  • Application route: Online application via NEF portal (online.nefcorp.co.za) or direct contact with NEF
  • Assessment focus: Commercial viability, 51% black female ownership, operational involvement of women at management and board level, job creation, ability to repay, regulatory compliance

Contact and routing

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

Additional information

Co-funding with private or public sector institutions is encouraged for larger projects. For property transactions, at least 51% of annual expenditure must be allocated to majority black-owned businesses. A Fund a Woman brochure is available at the NEF website.

Contact and routing

Contact the National Empowerment Fund for WEF 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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