Pretoria: The Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) has called on qualifying Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to apply for support of up to R23 million under the Business Infrastructure Support Programme (BISP).
According to South African Government News Agency, BISP aims to provide assistance to MSMEs with business-enabling machinery, equipment, tools, technology, energy support, and infrastructure, whether newly built or refurbished. The program also seeks to facilitate market access for these enterprises. Priority will be given to sectors such as disaster management, agriculture, manufacturing (including food and beverages), medical, automotive, construction, wholesale and retail, mining, services, and creative industries.
Applicants can apply for built infrastructure, which includes refurbished or new structures like MSME hubs, industrial parks, or market stalls, with financial support ranging from R1 million to R23 million. Additionally, there is a provision for acquiring equipment, tools, technology, and machinery from R1 million to R5 million, and energy support solutions ranging from R1 million to R10 million.
Eligible applicants encompass municipalities, municipal and provincial entities, traditional authorities, and registered legal entities such as cooperatives, private companies, and informal traders. The program targets micro enterprises with a maximum turnover of R10 million and small enterprises with an annual turnover not exceeding R10 million.
Applicants are required to complete the BISP application form and submit it along with all necessary supporting documents as specified in the form. These documents include financial statements or management accounts signed by an accountant, compliance documentation, Central Supplier Database compliance for suppliers, technical designs, cost breakdowns, and Executive Authority approvals.
The deadline for application submissions is 19 September 2025, and applications must be submitted online via the official website, https://vcmasa.dsbd.gov.za/. Alternatively, applicants can download and complete the BISP application form from the same website and email it with supporting documents to [email protected]. Upon submission, applicants will receive an automated response with a reference number confirming receipt of the application.