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Grants & Incentives
Grants & Incentives are non-repayable or cost-sharing funding programs designed to encourage certain activities or development goals. These typically come from government departments (like the dtic) and aim to stimulate investment, innovation, or empowerment in specific sectors.
Available Funds for Grants & Incentives
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Grants & Incentives
What they are
Financial awards or rebates that do not need to be paid back, as long as you meet the program conditions. Grants often cover a portion of project costs (e.g. a percentage of capital investment or expenses), while incentives can include tax breaks or reimbursements for qualifying activities.
Grants & Incentives
Who they suit
Grants & Incentives
Example Programs
the dtic’s Black Industrialists Scheme (BIS) grant for black-owned manufacturers, Agro-Processing Support Scheme for value-add agribusiness projects, or the Export Marketing & Investment Assistance (EMIA) which reimburses part of your costs for marketing in international markets. These programs help absorb some costs so that businesses are more willing to invest and grow.
Grants & Incentives
How to access
Each grant has specific guidelines and an application process. Typically you’ll submit a business plan or project proposal to the administering department. Timing is crucial (many have windows or cycles for applications). Check the eligibility and use-of-funds criteria on each program’s page to ensure alignment before applying. Successful applicants must report on outcomes (like jobs or exports created) as part of the grant conditions.
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