Yes.
In partnership with the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) will facilitate funding for black entrepreneurs to manufacture and supply a range identified priority products.
Funding details:
- R200 million has been set aside under the COVID-19 Black Business Fund as a blended facility for SMEs that manufacture and supply Identified Priority Products to access concessionary loan funding.
- Salient Features of the Fund:
- Limited to R10 million per applicant for working capital, machinery and equipment;
- Up to 12 months payment moratorium at 0% fixed interest rate;
- After 12 months a fixed interest rate of 2,5% will apply;
- Maximum term is 60 months, including moratorium, and
- First drawdown must occur within 1 month from approval date.
Funding Criteria:
- Be a registered legal entity in South Africa in terms of the Companies Act, 2008 (as amended); the Close Corporations Act, 1984 or the Co-operatives Act, 2005.
- Be a taxpayer in good standing with a valid tax clearance certificate at assessment as well as before the loan is disbursed.
- Be a current and registered supplier with retailers and other institutions in good standing or have a purchase order/ contract/ letter of intent.
- Require working capital or funds to purchase machinery and equipment.
- The fund WILL NOT service any pre-existing debt or help settle monies owed.
- Have greater than fifty percent (>50%) Black shareholding and management control. Must be directly involved in the day-to-day running of the operation and must have requisite expertise in the sector. Owned by black South Africans as defined by the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Act.
- In line with the NEF’s transformation mandate, preference will be given to applications that demonstrate meaningful black women ownership, management and control.
- Have a project with a minimum requirement of R500 000 in working capital, machinery and equipment.
- Must result in retaining or increasing direct jobs.
- Submission of all relevant documents for commercially viable applications.
Funds identified priority products:
- Disposable plastic gloves and face masks
- PCR test kits for coronavirus
- Disinfectants and alcohol-based wipes
- Medical protective clothing and overshoes
- Hospital linen and clothing
- Protective goggles and protective hoods/ face shields
- Plastic moulding and bottling /packing
- Hand sanitizer and soap
- Detergents / Cleaning products
- Disposable aprons and cups
- Dispensers (water, sanitsers and soap)
- Protective respirators
- Toilet paper
- Steel beds for hospitals and clinics
- Mattresses and /or sponge
- Milk
- Fruits – oranges, lemons, naartjies
- Eggs
- Vegetables: Yellow veggies, potatoes/ sweet potatoes, cabbages, spinach, morogo, tomatoes, beetroot, corn.
- Maize meal,
- flour,
- yeast,
- samp,
- beans,
- cooking oil,
- fish and canned food,
- margarine and bread spread,
- chicken,
- baby food,
Required Documentation:
Constitutional documents
- Declaration on BEE status and size of business.
- NEF application form (accessible on NEF website: nefcorp.co.za).
- Summary of production in the last 3 months.
- Copy of the historical financial statements (up to 3 years if available).
- Signed copy of the contract, purchase order or letter of intent from the applicant’s client/s.
- Financial forecast for the duration of the contract, order, or letter of intent. The forecast should include income statement, cash flow statement and balance sheet for the duration of the funding.
- Additional information that would be necessary to enhance the application may be requested by the NEF as and when deemed necessary.
Application Process
Application form available here.
For more information, please visit www.nefcorp.co.za covidfund@nefcorp.co.za
Call 011 305-8080
The NEF, which to date has approved funding in excess of R10 billion for black entrepreneurs across all sectors of the economy including healthcare and manufacturing, has dedicated teams of seasoned investment professionals to help expedite approval for eligible black entrepreneurs and to ensure a total 2 weeks from application to disbursement, following receipt of all relevant documents for commercially viable applications. Applicants may reach the NEF on covidfund@nefcorp.co.za and on 011 305-8080 for this emergency funding.