Government Launches R500 Million Spaza Shop Support Fund – Here’s How to Apply

South Africa’s township and rural economies just got a major boost with the launch of the Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF), a R500 million government initiative designed to help local spaza shop owners grow and sustain their businesses.

Announced by the Department of Small Business Development, this new fund officially opened for applications on Monday, and it offers a mix of grants, low-interest loans, and training to qualifying businesses.

Whether you’re trying to modernize your shop, improve compliance with hygiene standards, or get ahead of your larger retail competitors, here’s everything you need to know.

What Does the Fund Offer?

The SSSF was created to help small shop owners thrive in a competitive retail space. Here’s what’s included in the support package:

• Funding up to R300 000 per shop, through a combination of grants and low-interest loans.

• Training and business skills development, including digital literacy, financial education, and compliance.

• Technical support for adopting digital payment systems and inventory tools.

• Infrastructure upgrades, including shelving, refrigeration, and security improvements.

• Stock grants through approved delivery partners.

• Access to bulk purchasing benefits through wholesale aggregation.

Who Qualifies?

To apply for the fund, you must meet the following requirements:

• Be a South African citizen, or naturalised before 1994.

• Operate a spaza shop in a township or rural area within South Africa.

• Be registered with your local municipality in line with by-laws and licensing rules.

• Be registered with SARS or apply within a six-month transitional period.

• Have CIPC registration if requesting funding over R80 000 (within six months of funding).

• Be actively managing the shop yourself.

• Youth (18–35), women, and people with disabilities will be prioritised.

What You Can Get

For Support Up to R100 000:

• R40 000 stock grant via delivery partners.

• Up to R50 000 for infrastructure, shelving, security, or equipment.

• Up to R100 000 in training (POS systems, food safety, digital skills, etc.).

For Support Between R100 000 and R300 000:

• A R40 000 stock grant.

• Up to R250 000 in blended funding (50% grant, 50% interest-free loan).

• An additional R100 000 for training and compliance support.

How to Apply

Applications are administered by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEFDA).

To apply:

1. Register on the SEFDA SMME Portal.

2. Complete your online application and submit required documents.

3. Alternatively, apply directly via the official sites:

   • Spaza Shop Support Fund

   • NEF Website

   • SEFDA Website

Need Help?

• Spaza Shop Support Fund Call Centre: 011 305 8080

• NEF Call Centre: 0861 843633

• SEFDA Call Centre: 012 748 9600

Or email your questions via the official websites.

The R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund is a vital opportunity for South Africa’s informal traders to build sustainable, competitive businesses in their communities. If you meet the criteria, don’t wait — get your application in and take the next step in growing your business.

{Source: The Citizen}

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