Youth Doing Business

The Youth Challenge Fund (YCF) is a youth start-up support programme intended to stimulate the establishment and growth of youth-owned businesses, promote digital skills,

grow the economy and foster job creation.

Eligibility criteria

In line with National Youth Policy, the YCF will be providing support to youth start-up businesses/enterprises that meet the following criteria:

• Are between the age of 18 to 35 years.

• Registered with CIPC and be prepared to register with SARS & UIF.

• 100% South African owned.

• Are adequately involved in the day-to-day operation and management of the business with at least one or more of the members being full-time employees of the company, especially the majority shareholder or essential personnel/applicant.

• Prepared to participate in Business Development Support and mentorship (pre and post).

• Commercially viable, sustainable and feasible business idea.

Exclusions

The following transactions will NOT be considered:

• Funding towards a debt owed by the applicant with another lending institution.

• Activities that have already been funded by other government departments or parastatals.

• Government and SOE officials are excluded.

• Fall within the gambling, pyramid sales schemes, loan shark and operating illegal activities etc., as guided by credit policy and grant policies.

• Have a record of fraud and corruption.

• Where the owner/applicant is an un-rehabilitated insolvent.

Additional information

• Funding queries can be directed to YCF Hotline on 012 748 9600 or email: helpline@sefa.org.za

• Upon receipt of the applications, they will be reviewed and completed applications subjected to due diligence exercises by sefa for consideration.

• Follow-ups will be made with small enterprises whose funding applications are incomplete to submit the outstanding information.

• Small enterprises that require non-financial support are referred to Seda for further handling.

How to apply

To submit your application, register your profile on the sefa portal at https://sefa.finfind.co.za. Download the checklist below for guidance.

• Check list

Download the brochure below:

youth-challenge-fund-brochure.pdf

 

LINK: http://www.dsbd.gov.za/programme/youth-challenge-fund

SOURCE: DSBD

 

LINK: http://www.dsbd.gov.za/programme/youth-challenge-fund

Youth Entrepreneurship & Innovation

Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund

The Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund is the principal grant facility to support the implementation of the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy (2016-2025). Managed by the Bank’s Human Capital, Youth and Skills Development Department, the Trust Fund aims to mobilize resources from donors to support the growth of the entrepreneurship ecosystem in Africa and create jobs for its youth. With a primary focus on entrepreneurship in sectors where most Africans earn their living, the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund targets gender disparities in economic opportunities by prioritizing women entrepreneurs. The Trust Fund seeks to scale interventions outlined in the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy through grant disbursement, empowering youth-led start-ups, and micro, small, and medium enterprises across the formal and informal economy.

Funded by contributions from the Netherlands, Denmark, Italy, Norway, and Sweden, the Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund has mobilised approximately $42.2 million. The period of implementation extends to 31 December 2025, to align with the Jobs for Youth in Africa Strategy.

Inormation on African Development Bank projects: MapAfrica

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Contact

For more information, please contact yei@afdb.org.

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Useful links

Youth Entrepreneurship and Innovation Multi-Donor Trust Fund News/Press Releases 

 SOURCE: AfDB

LINK: https://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-partnerships/jobs-for-youth-in-africa/the-youth-entrepreneurship-and-innovation-multi-donor-trust-fundhttps://www.afdb.org/en/topics-and-sectors/initiatives-partnerships/jobs-for-youth-in-africa/the-youth-entrepreneurship-and-innovation-multi-donor-trust-fund

More opportunity for online businesses to grow in South Africa

Nov 07, 2025

We are launching the Google Growth Initiative for South African Businesses

Kristy Grant

Head of B2B Marketing, SSA

It is no secret that education and funding are the top priorities for entrepreneurs. To equip South African businesses with both, for a limited time, we are launching the Digital Growth Initiative, which offers three free programs related to digital marketing and ads optimization training, ad credits, and grant opportunities. We will accept applications from eligible South African online platforms, such as certain e-commerce or travel and booking websites, application developers, and online businesses.

Training in advanced digital marketing

Digital marketing is a rapidly developing sphere where online businesses need on-going up-skilling. The new Ads Academy, hosted with Upskill, will support this continuing education and is a bootcamp style training focused on ads optimization and digital marketing for eligible online platforms, mobile app developers, and online businesses. The curriculums focus on platform and app marketing strategies and business growth techniques and it is accompanied with personalised mentorship to help businesses implement effective campaigns and improve market performance . Experienced industry experts will share practical insights on business growth and technical skills development, while industry leaders will share real-world success stories and teach innovative approaches. Participants will be encouraged to immediately apply the key concepts they learn through interactive learning formats, including with the use of Google Ads credits.

Providing Ad Credits to enhance a business's digital presence

The newly available Ad Credits Program is aimed at boosting innovation in South Africa's digital ecosystem. By giving businesses credits that they can use to advertise their businesses, the program will help businesses boost their ability to reach specific audiences, expand into new markets and compete more effectively. This will also free up funds for the participants to invest in other growth needs, such as product innovation and team development. Credits can be used on ad formats, such as Search Text Ads and Universal App Campaigns, to boost user acquisition and brand exposure.

Allocating Grants to support growth

Sometimes it’s the small things, such as getting a new laptop, registering with an industry body, or buying a software subscription, that can make a big difference. We are launching Grant Opportunities, administered by Thundafund, so that South African businesses can make strategic investments to unlock new revenue streams, improve service delivery, and increase competitiveness.

To learn more about the programs, eligibility criteria, terms and timings and apply please visit the website.

Posted in:

• Google News
• Grow with Google
• Small Business

SOURCE: Africa Blog

LINK: https://blog.google/intl/en-africa/more-opportunity-for-online-businesses-to-grow-in-south-africa/