Guideline to apply for R500 million spaza support fund

Government has called on eligible South African spaza shop owners in townships and rural areas who want to improve, expand, and sustain their shops to apply for assistance with the R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund (SSSF). 

This as government officially opened applications for the fund aimed at increasing the participation of South African owned spaza shops in the townships and rural areas retail trade sector.

READ | Government empowers spaza shops

What the support fund seeks to achieve:

•    It provides funding, training, business skills development, and technical support to help businesses compete effectively against larger retailers.
•    Offers funding of up to R300 000 per shop through a combination of grants and low-interest loans.
•    Assists shop owners in meeting hygiene and regulatory standards to ensure the provision of safe, high-quality products.
•    Encourage the adoption of digital payment systems, inventory management tools, and financial literacy programs to improve operational efficiency.
•    Facilitate