Imbali For Her is a flagship national programme from the Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA), designed to promote inclusive economic participation among women by providing integrated financial and non-financial support. The programme was shaped directly by the voices of more than 4,500 women entrepreneurs consulted across all nine provinces, and it is SEDFA‘s first fully integrated support initiative to combine funding with business development training, mentorship and market access support.
Objectives of the SEDFA Imbali for Her
The programme’s goal is to drive inclusive growth by equipping women with the tools, support and opportunities they need to succeed in business. It is open to all categories of formally registered women-owned enterprises, from early-stage startups to established small businesses, operating across all economic sectors and in urban, peri-urban, township and rural areas. Women entrepreneurs with disabilities and those affected by gender-based violence are explicitly included in the programme’s scope.
Successful applicants may qualify for funding of up to R5 million, depending on the stage of the business and the outcome of the viability assessment. The programme uses a blended finance model that combines grants and concessional loans together with non-financial support such as business development, mentorship and skills development
Successful applicants receive access to business training, skills development, and mentorship. The programme also provides market access opportunities and psychosocial support. Furthermore, it aims to create safe, supportive spaces for women in business.
Eligibility for funding
SEDFA Imbali For Her is a national programme aimed at supporting formally registered women-owned enterprises across South Africa. It is open to businesses at every stage of development, from start-ups to established small businesses.
Your business may qualify if it meets the following requirements:
- At least 51% owned and actively managed by black women
- The owner occupies a key management position with day-to-day operational control
- The business is legally registered and operates within South Africa
- The owner is a South African citizen
- The business complies with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including tax obligations
- The business has a fixed physical address
- The project will create at least one full-time equivalent (FTE) job
- Applicants must complete the entrepreneurial assessment and pre-start-up programme where applicable.
Target Sectors
The SEDFA Imbali For Her programme is open to businesses across all sectors, although priority is given to businesses operating in:
- Manufacturing
- Agro-processing
- ICT
- Green energy
- Tourism
- Retail
- Construction
Micro and small enterprises are encouraged to apply.
What will be assessed?
One of the most important aspects of the SEDFA Imbali for Her programme is that ownership alone is not enough. One of the strongest themes in the SEDFA Imbali For Her is active operational involvement. Before applying, gather evidence that demonstrates your day-to-day leadership of the business.
Applicants must demonstrate that the black woman owner is actively involved in managing the business by providing evidence of:
- Strategic decision-making
- Financial oversight
- Operational management
- Attendance at management meetings
- Approval of major business decisions
- Responsibility for key business functions
Supporting documents such as organisational structures, meeting minutes, signed approvals and management records may be required to demonstrate genuine operational involvement.
To Apply
Applications are submitted through SEDFA’s approved application platform. Women entrepreneurs who need assistance can visit their nearest SEDFA branch, with contact details available on the SEDFA website.
Further Information
One of our core objectives at Business Geniuses is to empower small businesses and startups by curating funding opportunities as they arise. Visit our Funding section for other opportunities that may be open for applications.
While formal company registration is not always a prerequisite for accessing funding, it is crucial for formalised entities to maintain compliance. A lack of proper governance can completely hinder any prospects of funding. For guides and articles on governance, please refer to the Governance section of our site.
