Africa's MSME Support Hub

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Your Business Starts Here.

Free tools, funding guides, and expert support for every stage of your business journey

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Find Your Starting Point Join the MSME Database
Business Readiness Check

Let's Find Your Path

Answer 3 quick questions and we'll recommend the best resources for your business stage. No registration required.

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What stage is your business?

2 of 3

What do you need most right now?

3 of 3

Where are you based?

Your Personalised Path

Based on your answers, we recommend:

Ideate

Start Your Business Journey

Not sure where to begin? Choose the path that matches where you are right now.

I have an idea

Turn your concept into a registered business. We'll guide you through every step.

Start with CIPC

I have a business

Find funding, ensure compliance, and access growth resources for your existing business.

Explore Funding

I want to grow

Access tenders, digital tools, AI resources, and calculators to scale your business.

Growth Tools
Did you know? You can register a business for under R200 on BizPortal.
Register

Register Your Business

Follow this step-by-step roadmap to get your business officially registered and ready to operate.

1

Check Your Business Name

Before registering, check that your desired business name is available through CIPC.

  • Visit the CIPC website name search
  • Try multiple variations of your name
  • Avoid names too similar to existing businesses
Check Name on CIPC
2

Register on BizPortal

BizPortal is the official government portal for business registration. You can register a (Pty) Ltd company for under R200.

What You'll Need:

  • South African ID number
  • Valid email address
  • Phone number
  • Residential address
  • Business address
Pro Tip: Register as an EME (Exempted Micro Enterprise) if your turnover is under R10M — you automatically qualify for B-BBEE Level 4 without a verification agency.
Go to BizPortal
3

Get Your Tax Number

Register with SARS for your Income Tax number via eFiling. You may also need to register for VAT (if turnover exceeds R1M) and PAYE (if you have employees).

Register on SARS eFiling
4

Open a Business Bank Account

Separate your personal and business finances with a dedicated business bank account.

Standard Bank Business Evolve account from R0/month FNB Easy Account for small businesses ABSA Evolve business transacting account Nedbank SimplyBiz business banking
Fund

Find the Right Funding

Discover grants, loans, and investment opportunities suited to your business stage and needs.

Grant / Loan

SEDFA

Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency — provides grants, loans, and non-financial support. Apply via the Common Application Template.

EMEs & QSEs Township & Rural
Learn More
Loan / Equity

NEF

National Empowerment Fund — provides funding from R250K to R75M for B-BBEE compliant businesses.

B-BBEE Compliant R250K - R75M
Learn More
Loan / Equity

IDC

Industrial Development Corporation — financing for industrial and manufacturing businesses with a focus on job creation.

Manufacturing Industrial
Learn More
Grant

TREP Programme

Township and Rural Enterprise Programme — SEDFA grants up to R120K for township and rural-based businesses.

Township & Rural Up to R120K
Learn More
Grant

NYDA Grant

National Youth Development Agency — grants up to R100K for youth-owned businesses (18-35 years).

Youth (18-35) Up to R100K
Learn More
Featured Partner

Your Organisation Here

Reach thousands of MSMEs actively seeking funding. Feature your funding programme in this premium slot.

Become a Partner
Comply

Stay Compliant

Keep your business legally sound with this compliance checklist. Click each item to learn more.

SARS Tax Registration

Every business must register for Income Tax. Additionally register for:

  • VAT — mandatory if turnover exceeds R1 million per annum
  • PAYE — required if you have employees
  • Provisional Tax — if income is not from employment
Register on SARS eFiling

UIF Registration

If you have employees, you must register for the Unemployment Insurance Fund and contribute 2% of each employee's salary (1% employer, 1% employee).

Register on uFiling

COIDA Registration

Register with the Compensation Fund for workplace injury and disease insurance for your employees.

B-BBEE Compliance

  • EME (turnover under R10M) — automatic Level 4, sworn affidavit only
  • QSE (turnover R10M - R50M) — requires verification agency
  • 51%+ black-owned = automatic Level 1 (EME) or Level 2 (QSE)
Pro Tip: Most MSMEs only need a sworn affidavit — no expensive verification required.

CIPC Annual Returns

File your Annual Return with CIPC every year to keep your company in good standing. This is separate from tax returns.

File Annual Return

Key Deadlines

Feb Provisional Tax — 1st period
Aug Provisional Tax — 2nd period
Ongoing Monthly PAYE/UIF/SDL submissions
Annual CIPC Annual Return (anniversary of registration)
Featured Partner

Compliance Partner

Help MSMEs stay compliant. Advertise your tax, accounting, or legal services here.

Become a Partner
Grow

Grow Your Business

Access tenders, connect with incubators, and expand your network to take your business to the next level.

Government Tenders

Register on the Central Supplier Database (CSD) and access government tender opportunities through the eTender portal.

Register on CSD Browse eTenders

Incubators & Accelerators

Connect with leading incubation programmes that provide mentorship, workspace, and funding support for growing MSMEs.

Technology Innovation Agency SEDFA Incubation

Export & Expand

Ready to trade beyond South Africa? Access export readiness programmes and support for international expansion.

DTIC Export Support
Featured Partner

Development Partner

Support MSME growth by featuring your incubator, accelerator, or enterprise development programme here.

Become a Partner
Tools

Business Tools & Resources

Free calculators, online tools, and AI-powered resources to help you run and grow your business smarter.

Break-Even Calculator

Find out how many units you need to sell to cover your costs.

Loan Repayment Calculator

Calculate your monthly loan repayment and total interest.

Startup Costs Calculator

Estimate the total capital you need to start your business.

Total Startup Capital Needed: R 0
MSME Database

Join Africa's MSME Database

Connect with funding opportunities, business support, and a network of entrepreneurs. Simple registration, powerful connections.

0+ businesses already registered

Partner with J29 Business Hub

Reach Africa's growing MSME community. Advertise your products and services where entrepreneurs are actively looking for support.

Reach

Access 4,000+ MSMEs across Africa actively seeking business support and services.

Impact

Support real business growth and transformation in communities across the continent.

Visibility

Premium placement on Africa's leading MSME resource hub with targeted exposure.

Become a Partner

Fill in the form below and our partnerships team will be in touch within 48 hours.

Your Next Step Starts Here

Join thousands of entrepreneurs building, funding, and growing their businesses with J29.

Join the MSME Database Contact Us
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