South Africa Sector Grants

Retail & E-commerce Business Grants

Retail and e-commerce businesses can access grants for digital transformation, premises improvement, and high street revitalisation. Local authorities and business improvement districts are key funding sources.

44grants available
Innovation, growth & development funding

High Street Support

High street shops can access shop front improvement grants, business rate relief, and local authority business support. Town centre regeneration programmes provide additional opportunities.

Digital Transformation

Grants support retailers moving online or improving their digital presence. E-commerce development, inventory systems, and digital marketing may be funded through regional schemes.

Sustainability & Accessibility

Retail businesses can access grants for energy efficiency, accessibility improvements, and sustainable practices. These often come through local authority programmes.

South African Retail Grants

44 grants found

unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Critical Infrastructure Programme (CIP)

The Critical Infrastructure Programme (CIP) provides cost‑sharing grants of 10‑30% (up to R50 million) for critical infrastructure projects, with higher percentages for certain sectors, to lower business costs and stimulate investment.

up to R50 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Capital Projects Feasibility Programme (CPFP)

A dtic programme that shares the cost of feasibility studies for projects expected to increase South African exports and stimulate local capital goods and services.

VariesSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Black Industrialists Scheme (BIS)

The Black Industrialists Scheme provides cost‑sharing grants of 30% to 50% (up to R50 million) and additional support for capital investment, feasibility studies, post‑investment and business development for qualifying black‑owned industrialists.

up to R50 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Automotive Investment Scheme (AIS)

The Automotive Investment Scheme (AIS) offers a non‑taxable cash grant of 20 % of qualifying investment for original equipment manufacturers and 25 % for component manufacturers to support new or replacement models, increase plant production volumes, and sustain employment in the automotive sector.

20 % of qualifying investment for OEMs; 25 % of qualifying investment for component manufacturers (grant limited to R1 million for competitiveness improvement per entity per two‑year cycle).South Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP)

A dtic cost-sharing incentive for qualifying aquaculture projects, supporting investment in infrastructure, machinery, equipment and commercially viable aquaculture operations.

VariesSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI)

A dtic-supported initiative that helps South African aerospace firms improve competitiveness, supplier capability and technology readiness for aerospace industry opportunities.

VariesSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
unknown
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

Agro Processing Support Scheme (APSS)

A dtic cost-sharing incentive for agro-processing and beneficiation projects that expand productive capacity, improve competitiveness and support job creation.

VariesSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsGrants & Funding
open
IDC

Partnership Programmes

Partnership programmes for businesses

Up to R187 millionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsBusiness Support
open
IDC

Crisis Funding

Funding for businesses in crisis

Over R1,5 billionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsBusiness Support
open
IDC

Industry Sector Funding

Funding for entrepreneurs starting new enterprises or supporting companies that want to extend existing operations

Up to R1 billionSouth Africa WideRolling
All SectorsBusiness Growth
unknown
Department of Small Business Development

Business Infrastructure Support Programme

The Business Infrastructure Support Programme provides funding for MSMEs to acquire or refurbish infrastructure, equipment, tools, technology, and energy solutions, with grants ranging from R1 million to R23 million depending on the component.

Built Infrastructure: R1 million–R23 million; Equipment/Tools/Technology: R1 million–R5 million; Energy Support: R1 million–R10 millionSouth Africa WideInvalid Date
All SectorsBusiness Support
closed
Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC)

12I Tax Allowance Incentive

The 12I Tax Allowance Incentive provides tax allowances for qualifying capital investment and training in new (greenfield) or expanded (brownfield) manufacturing projects.

up to R900 millionSouth Africa Wide31 Mar 2020
All SectorsGrants & Funding

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about South African retail grants