Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme TREP
The Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) provides business support and funding to help grow township and rural economies in South Africa. Learn how to apply for TREP schemes across various industries
TREP Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme Apply Now
The Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) is a dedicated initiative to transform opportunities in townships and rural areas into productive business ventures. TREP aims to create a conducive environment for entrepreneurial activity by providing business support infrastructure, regulatory assistance, and access to funding for township and rural-based enterprises.
Target Beneficiaries and Eligibility
TREP is open to township and rural-based enterprises owned by South African entrepreneurs. To be eligible, businesses must:
- Be registered with CIPC and SARS
- Have 100% South African ownership
- Have at least 70% South African employees
- Operate in a township or rural area
- Have a turnover below R1 million per annum
Available Schemes
TREP offers support across various industries, including:
- Small-scale bakeries and confectioneries
- Automotive aftermarket (autobody repairers, mechanics, auto-spares shops)
- Butcheries
- Clothing, leather and textiles
- Personal care (hairdressers, beauty therapists, nail technicians, massage therapists)
- Spaza shops
- Tshisanyama and cooked food businesses
Business Support and Funding
TREP provides a range of support channels:
- One-stop-shop business support service
- Remote business incubation
- Business skills training
- Product development support
- Credit guarantee
- Pitch-for-funding opportunities
- Access to funding, including working capital
The financial support is structured as a blended model of 50% loan and 50% grant, up to a maximum of R50,000 per enterprise. The loan has a 36-month repayment period at a 5% interest rate.
TREP Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme Apply Now
How To Apply
To apply for TREP, entrepreneurs must:
- Register on https://smmesa.gov.za/ and complete the required information.
- Apply through the common application template on https://www.eservices.gov.za.
- Create a user profile using the email address registered on smmesa.gov.za.
- Upload the necessary statutory documents, including CIPC registration and proof of address.
- Submit quotations for any equipment or CAPEX requirements.
Applications can also be emailed to trep@sefa.org.za if there are issues with the portal.
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