Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are integral to the local economy as they foster economic growth, job creation and overall development. According to The World Bank, SMEs play a crucial role in developing countries’ economies as they account for 90% of businesses and 50%of employment across the globe.

The South African Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), an organisation that provides financial products and services to qualifying small, medium and micro enterprises (SMMEs), has launched the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP).

SEFA’s overall aim is to act as a catalyst for the development of sustainable SMMEs through access to financial aid and services.

What is the TREP programme?

TREP aims to back SMMEs in rural and township economics. With unemployment at an all-time high in South Africa, fostering and supporting entrepreneurship is a gateway mechanism to job creation and overall economic growth.

The programme has a blended approach as it will provide participants with finance and business assistance to promote SMME participation in the mainstream economy.

Qualifying businesses include bakeries, confectionaries, restaurants, shisanyamas and other enterprises within a range of sectors.

What does TREP aim to do?

The programme aims to support SMMEs so they can become active participants in the restructuring and growth of township and rural area economies, and to increase competition within the domestic supply and export market through their growth.

What does the TREP programme provide participants?

The TREP programme will provide participants with access to funding on a loan scheme basis.

Many SMMEs may have to overcome various barriers when applying for loans through traditional methods and private institutions, but this initiative aims to minimise the red tape.

More information about the financial contributions can be found here .

Business development support will be provided to all participants and includes business and financial management training and mentorship, assistance with compliance, and technical skills improvement for employers and employees.

Application requirements

Requirements for the programme can be found here 

How to apply

 Interested applicants must complete this form . The application must include all supporting documents as stipulated in Annexure A (page 5 of the application). There is no application closing date.

Completed applications must be submitted via mail to trep@sefa.org.za