the dtic (Department of Trade, Industry and Competition)
The dtic is the government department responsible for industrial policy, trade promotion, and economic growth programs in South Africa. One of its roles is to design and administer incentive schemes and grants that support businesses and strategic industries. While the dtic itself doesn’t give out loans (that’s done via entities like IDC), it offers numerous grant programs (often cost-sharing incentives) to advance its objectives: job creation, increased investment, competitiveness, innovation, and transformation in the economy.
What the dtic Offers:
Incentive Programs:
- Capital investment grants for manufacturing and services (e.g., BIS for Black Industrialists, AIS/P-AIS/MHCV-AIS for automotive manufacturers, APSS for agro-processing, etc.).
- Innovation support (e.g., SPII – Support Program for Industrial Innovation and THRIP – Technology and Human Resources for Industry Program) aimed at R&D partnerships and technological development.
- Export promotion incentives (EMIA and SSAS) to help companies market abroad and develop new export sectors.
- Infrastructure and special zones: e.g., CIP for critical infrastructure co-funding, and the SEZ Programme which provides a package of benefits in industrial zones.
- Sector-specific schemes: The dtic also has targeted funds for industries like film (film production incentives), global business services, clothing & textiles, and others, which may not be covered in detail on this platform if they fall outside core industrial sectors, but are part of the dtic’s offerings (these are often administered with industry associations).
Policy and Strategy Alignment:
Each incentive ties into a policy goal. For example, the dtic’s Black Industrialists Scheme aligns with national Black Economic Empowerment strategies by scaling up black-owned manufacturers. The Automotive incentives align with the Automotive Production and Development Programme (APDP) to grow the auto sector, etc. Knowing the context of each program can help applicants tailor their applications to show they further those goals.
How to Engage:
Available Funds from the DTIC Incentive Clusters
the dtic FUNDING
Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII)
The Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII) provides non-repayable grants to South African businesses and individuals to financially support the development of technologically innovative products and/or processes. The programme is focused specifically on the development phase — from the conclusion of basic research through to the production of a pre-production prototype.
the dtic FUNDING
Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP)
The Technology and Human Resources for Industry Programme (THRIP) is a grant programme administered by the dtic to leverage collaborative partnerships between government, industry, and academia/scientific researchers for applied research and development in science, engineering, and technology. It operates on a cost-sharing basis and aims to produce highly skilled human resources and technology solutions that improve industry competitiveness.
the dtic FUNDING
Strategic Partnership Programme (SPP)
The Strategic Partnership Programme (SPP) is a dtic initiative that supports large private sector enterprises partnering with government to develop and grow SMEs within their supply chains. The programme provides a cost-sharing grant towards infrastructure and business development services needed to mentor and grow qualifying SME suppliers.
the dtic FUNDING
Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP)
The Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP) is a cost-sharing incentive offered by the dtic to stimulate investment in South Africa’s aquaculture sector. It provides a reimbursable grant of up to 50% of qualifying costs, capped at R20 million, for new, upgrading or expansion projects in primary, secondary, and ancillary aquaculture operations.
the dtic FUNDING
Agro-Processing Support Scheme (APSS)
The Agro-Processing Support Scheme (APSS) is a cost-sharing grant programme administered by the dtic that stimulates investment in South African agro-processing and beneficiation enterprises. The scheme offers a 20% to 30% grant on qualifying investment costs, up to a maximum of R20 million over a two-year investment period.
the dtic FUNDING
Manufacturing Support Programme (MSP)
The Manufacturing Support Programme (MSP) is a dtic incentive designed to grow and develop South Africa’s manufacturing sector by supporting new or expansion manufacturing projects. It offers a reimbursable grant of up to 20% (or 30% for qualifying transformation-owned businesses) of capital expenditure and raw material costs, with a maximum grant of R10 million over two years.
the dtic FUNDING
Black Industrialists Scheme (BIS)
The Black Industrialists Scheme (BIS) is a targeted financial and non-financial incentive programme that supports black-owned and black-managed manufacturing enterprises to invest and scale in strategic South African industrial sectors. The scheme provides a cost-sharing grant of 30% to 50% of qualifying costs, up to a maximum of R50 million, depending on the level of black ownership, management control, economic benefit of the project, and project value.
the dtic FUNDING
Automotive Investment Scheme (AIS)
The Automotive Investment Scheme (AIS) is a non-taxable cash grant incentive designed to grow and develop South Africa’s automotive sector through investment in new and/or replacement vehicle models and components. Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) receive a 20% grant on qualifying productive asset investment, while component manufacturers and tooling companies receive a 25% grant.
the dtic FUNDING
South African Film and Television Production Incentive
The South African Film and Television Production Incentive (SA Film) is a reimbursable grant administered by the dtic to support local film and television productions, contributing to employment creation, local procurement, and the development of South Africa’s creative and technical skills base.
the dtic FUNDING
South African Film and Television Production and Co-Production Incentive
The South African Film and Television Production and Co-Production Incentive (SA Film) is a dtic reimbursable grant programme that supports official South African film and television co-productions. It offers a grant of 35% of Qualifying South African Production Expenditure (QSAPE), with an additional 5% for productions meeting specific B-BBEE and black procurement thresholds, up to a maximum of R25 million per project.
the dtic FUNDING
Foreign Film and Television Production and Post-Production Incentive Programme
The Foreign Film and Television Production and Post-Production Incentive attracts foreign film and television productions to shoot and conduct post-production in South Africa. The incentive offers a cash grant of 25% of Qualifying South African Production Expenditure (QSAPE), with an additional 5% for productions using a black-owned service company, up to a cap of R25 million.
the dtic FUNDING
South African Emerging Black Filmmakers Incentive
The South African Black Filmmakers Incentive is a dtic reimbursable grant programme that supports black-owned South African film and television productions. It offers a grant of 50% of Qualifying South African Production Expenditure (QSAPE), with a maximum of R25 million per project, to develop black talent and strengthen the competitiveness of the South African film and television industry.
the dtic FUNDING
Global Business Services (GBS)
The Global Business Services (GBS) Incentive is a cash grant programme designed to create employment in South Africa by incentivising companies to service offshore (international) business activities from South Africa. The programme prioritises employment opportunities for youth aged 18–34 and contributes to the country’s export revenue from offshoring services. The incentive has been effective from 1 January 2019.
the dtic FUNDING
Sector-Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS)
The Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS) is a government incentive that compensates qualifying organisations for costs incurred in activities aimed at developing South African emerging exporters through physical and digital events participation. It supports Export Councils, Joint Action Groups, Industry Associations, and other bodies involved in emerging exporter development.
the dtic FUNDING
Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA)
The Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) scheme develops export markets for South African products and services and recruits new foreign direct investment into South Africa. It provides cost-sharing assistance to South African exporters, manufacturers, trading houses and industry associations participating in international trade activities.
the dtic FUNDING
Capital Projects Feasibility Programme (CPFP)
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 covers up to 50% of total feasibility study costs for projects outside Africa (55% for projects in Africa), capped at R8 million.
the dtic FUNDING
Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Programme
The Special Economic Zone (SEZ) Programme establishes geographically designated areas across South Africa where businesses benefit from special incentives, infrastructure, and regulatory arrangements to attract investment, promote industrial development, and create employment.
the dtic FUNDING
Critical Infrastructure Programme (CIP)
The Critical Infrastructure Programme (CIP) is a cost-sharing incentive administered by the dtic that supports infrastructure deemed critical to investment projects, lowering the cost of doing business and stimulating investment growth in line with South Africa’s National Industrial Policy Framework (NIPF) and Industrial Policy Action Plan (IPAP).
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