Small Enterprise Finance Agency

Why choose sefa?

Access to finance is one of the biggest hurdles small businesses in South Africa face.

The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) provides development finance to SMMEs and Co-operatives that are not able to attract commercial credit. sefa is committed to providing these entities with the best service and expertise, and strives to do so in innovative and creative ways.

What we do

The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) provides financial products and services to qualifying SMMEs and cooperatives, as defined in the National Small Business Act of 1996 and amended in 2004, through a hybrid of wholesale and direct lending channels within the following sectors:

Services (including retail and wholesale trades and tourism)
Manufacturing (including agro-processing)
Agriculture (specifically land reform beneficiaries and contract-farming activities)
Construction (small construction contractors)
Mining (specifically small-scale miners)
Green industries (renewable energy, waste and recycling management)

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Products

Business Recovery Package
The Business Recovery Package (BRP) is a blended finance scheme aimed at assisting uninsured businesses that were negatively affected by the recent vandalism and looting in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
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Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP)
The Township and Rural Empowerment Programmes (TREP) supports informal, micro and small enterprises and cooperatives in the rural and township economies.
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Small Enterprise Manufacturing Support
The Small Enterprise Manufacturing Support Programme (SEMSP) is targeted at growing townships, rural towns and villages’ economies, by providing support to small-scale manufacturers.
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Direct Lending Products
sefa provides loans directly to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and cooperatives operating in all sectors of the economy. The facilities range from a minimum of R50 000 to a maximum of R15-million.
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Wholesale Lending Products
Through its wholesale lending, sefa provides facilities (debt/equity) to intermediaries, joint venture, partnerships (Specialised Funds) and other collaborative relationships.
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Youth Challenge Fund
In line with National Youth Policy, the YCF will be providing support to youth start-up businesses and enterprises.
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How to apply for funding

Apply now

Latest News & Events

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- 17 Nov 2021 01:00 AM
- - 17 Nov 2021 12:00 PM
Amavulindlela Funding Scheme Webinar
sefa will be hosting a webinar about the Amavulindlela Funding Scheme, a funding scheme for entrepreneurs with a disability.
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- 17 Aug 2021
- - Press release
Last call to apply for assistance from sefa for businesses rebuilding after looting and unrest
Since the beginning of August, the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) has been working to assist small businesses affected by the devastating recent looting and unrest in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng.
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- 21 Jun 2021
- - Press release
sefa encourages young entrepreneurs to access funding in Youth Month
The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) believes that assisting young entrepreneurs is vital for South Africa’s economy, and will boost efforts to achieve the country’s National Development Plan 2030 goals.
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- 26 Apr 2021
- - Press release
Small Enterprise Finance Agency offers ray of hope to beleaguered small-business owners
Freedom Day in South Africa celebrates the country’s first democratic election in 1994 after the demise of the apartheid regime. This year, though, for many small-business owners there will be no celebrations.
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- 21 Jan 2021
- - Press release
The Small Enterprise Finance Agency responds to DA allegations that 92% of Covid-19 relief money is unused
The Department of Small Business Development and The Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa) refute allegations made by DA spokesperson on Small Business Development, Jan de Villiers.
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