Polokwane, Limpopo — The Minister of Small Business Development, Ms. Stella Tembisa Ndabeni, will officially relaunch the enhanced Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) on Tuesday, 27 October 2026, at Seshego Stadium in Polokwane. The relaunch is a joint initiative by the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency (SEDFA).
Event Overview and Purpose
The redesigned TREP is aimed at helping micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) in township and rural economies grow. It achieves this by improving access to affordable finance, enhancing application turnaround times, and strengthening business development and post-investment support.
Key Enhancements to the TREP Programme
The revamped programme introduces several significant improvements to better support entrepreneurs:
- Increased funding threshold: The maximum funding available has been raised from R1 million to R3 million.
- More affordable finance: A favourable interest rate of 5% is maintained.
- Extended repayment terms: Repayment periods have been extended up to 60 months.
- Repayment moratorium: A moratorium of up to six months is available.
- Blended finance: A combination of financing instruments is used to improve access to funding.
- Stronger business support: Enhanced business development and post-investment services are provided to improve business sustainability.
Government’s Commitment to Inclusive Growth
The relaunch is part of the Government’s broader efforts to expand inclusive economic participation, stimulate entrepreneurship, and grow sustainable businesses within township and rural communities.
Related opportunity: SEDFA TREP Funding for Township Businesses Open | Apply Now
Event Details and RSVP
Members of the media and interested stakeholders are invited to attend the official relaunch event.
- Date: Tuesday, 27 October 2026
- Time: 9:00
- Venue: Seshego Stadium, Ground B, Polokwane, Limpopo
RSVP and Enquiries:
- Rachel Matabane
- Email: rmatabane@sedfa.org.za
Registration Link:
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