The Small Enterprise Development and Finance Agency (SEDFA) is a South African state-owned company (SOC) and a newly established, integrated entity under the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD). It officially commenced operations on 1 October 2024, following the merger of the Small Enterprise Development Agency (Seda), Small Enterprise Finance Agency (sefa), and the Cooperative Banks Development Agency (CBDA).

SEDFA is designed to act as a “one-stop-shop” for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and cooperatives, providing both financial and non-financial support to improve their sustainability and competitiveness.

Key Features and Mandate

Purpose: To expand the reach of government support, fostering growth, and enabling job creation for SMMEs, cooperatives, and survivalist businesses.

Structure & Target: A single, integrated state-owned entity under the DSBD, focusing on underserved regions including townships and rural areas.

Core Services

SEDFA offers an integrated, two-pillar support system combining non-financial business development services such as incubation, training, and technology transfer, with financial solutions like asset and bridging finance. Specialised support is provided through initiatives like the Township and Rural Entrepreneurship Programme (TREP) and wholesale lending.