The NYDA (National Youth Development Agency) Grant Programme is a key initiative in South Africa aimed at empowering youth entrepreneurs to start or grow small businesses.
It provides financial grants (R1,000–R200,000 for individuals/cooperatives; up to R250,000 for agriculture/tech projects) to youth-owned businesses.
Also offers non-financial support, including mentorship, business consultancy, market linkages, management training, vouchers, and co-op development assistance.
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Who is Eligible?
Those who are eligible to apply must have these qualities;
- Are youth between 18-35 years of age
- Are youth with skills, experience or with the potential skill, appropriate for the enterprise that they conduct or intend to conduct?
- Are South African citizens
- Are South African residents
- Youth-owned Business (100%), with daily operational involvement and at least one full-time youth employee
- Turnover limits: Max R750k/year for individuals; R1 million for cooperatives
Disqualifications: Applicants convicted of fraud, under debt admin, operating illegal/pyramid/gambling items, requesting funding for loan repayments, or exceeding previous thresholds, etc.
Grant Amounts by Stage
Typical grant thresholds based on business maturity:
- Survivalist: R 1 000 – R 10 000
- Startup: R 10 001 – R 50 000
- Growth: R 50 001 – R 100 000
- Expansion: R 100 001 – R 200 000
- Agriculture & Tech projects can go up to R 250,000
NYDA Grant Application Process
- Apply via the NYDA portal or in-person branch office, or call 0800 52 52 52
- Submit required documents: ID, proof of residence, business registration, bank statements, business plan/quotes (for R50k)
- Attend a Business Management Training course (G/YBI, SYB, IYB – 3–6 days)
- Pitch your business in a 10‑minute presentation (in person or telephonic)
- Due diligence & credit checks performed
- Branch Approval Committee reviews (decision is final). No appeals, but you may reapply later
- Processing timeline: 30 working days at the branch + 30 days at the head office.