Key offerings include the Agro-Processing Support Scheme (APSS) – a grant that co-funds investments in new processing facilities or expansions, aiming to boost value addition in agriculture. Additionally, IDC provides financing to agro-processing projects (for example, dairy processing, fruit juice manufacturing, agri-exports) often through its Agri-industries unit or dedicated funds. NEF, in partnership with provincial entities, has an Agro-Processing Fund (e.g. NEF-GDARD fund in Gauteng) offering blended finance to black-owned agro-processors. If you’re involved in aquaculture (fish farming), note the Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP) incentive, which grants funds to aquaculture projects for both marine and freshwater ventures.
The ECIC Black Industrialists (BI) Support Programme provides a specialised export credit insurance underwriting framework for Black South African-owned businesses seeking to participate in international export markets. The programme removes several standard barriers — including no assessment fees, unsecured insurance support for bonds and working capital, and a simplified approval process — to make ECIC cover accessible to black-owned start-ups and going-concern exporters. Export projects of up to USD 20 million are covered at 100% for both political and commercial risks.
The ECIC Bond Insurance Scheme enables banks and other financial institutions to increase their capacity to issue bond facilities for South African export contracts. ECIC provides cover against the calling of performance bonds by foreign buyers, protecting banks against losses arising from a South African exporter’s failure to fulfil contractual obligations. Cover is available on both a portfolio (Risk Participation Agreement) basis and a facultative (single transaction) basis.
ECIC’s Export Credit Insurance provides cover to banks and suppliers against losses arising from political and commercial risk events on South African export transactions involving capital goods and/or services. By insuring term finance provided to foreign buyers or borrowers, the ECIC facilitates South African exporters’ access to medium- and long-term credit for their international contracts. The product also includes Foreign Exchange Risk Cover, administered by ECIC on behalf of the South African Reserve Bank, for USD-denominated transactions.
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.
ECIC Investment Insurance provides cover to South African business entities that wish to invest in foreign countries, protecting equity contributions, acquisitions, and shareholder loans against political risk events. Cover is available for up to 90% of the loss suffered by the investor and is structured to reflect the risk profile of the host country, the investment period, and the scope of covered political risk events. This product does not cover commercial risks — it is strictly a political risk insurance instrument for outbound South African investment.
The ECIC Lease and Return of Plant/Equipment Insurance Cover protects South African export contractors and lessors against the loss of, or failure to recover, capital equipment used on foreign construction and project sites. The product addresses the specific challenge faced by South African contractors who lease equipment internationally and encounter difficulties repatriating it at the end of a project. Cover is available under two structures: a Financial Lease (Full Pay-Out) and an Operating Lease (including Return of Equipment cover).
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 ECIC Small and Medium Transactions (SMT) programme provides export credit insurance cover for South African export contracts valued up to USD 20 million. It is designed to make ECIC cover more accessible by using pre-approved underwriting criteria: if the foreign buyer or borrower meets these criteria, the South African exporter can be confident that ECIC support will be available without going through the full standard approval process. The insured facility covers up to 85% of the South African contract price, with 100% political and commercial risk cover available.
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.
Use the following tools to help you apply:
