SME Grants are an excellent way for Entrepreneurs and Business Owners to actualize their dreams.<\/p>
This is because, they help with paying salaries, reaching out to potential customers, buying stocks, and running ads. It\u2019s just a simple way to move businesses to the next level.<\/p>
But, even though SME grants are \u201cfree,\u201d you just cannot get them on a platter of gold. Simple registration on some website somewhere isn\u2019t just enough to get you one.<\/p>
The competition for grants is way over the roof and that’s because you\u2019re not the only one in need of that free money.<\/p>
Basically, a consistent amount of effort is required to apply for a grant.<\/p>
Furthermore, you need to understand that, even after the hustle of submitting a proper application, there are no assertions that you would get it.<\/p>
And this is largely tied to a number of reasons. Like the fact that;<\/p>
In any case, to increase your chances of getting one, I have put together a list of 20+ SME Grants for Africans.<\/p>
So, this program was founded by Mr. Tony Elumelu, a Philanthropist and Entrepreneur from Nigeria. It provides an annual SME grant aimed at empowering 10,000 African Entrepreneurs with $100 million yearly.<\/p>
Furthermore, asides the funding, this program is designed to also mentor and train Entrepreneurs across the 54 African countries of the Continent.<\/p>
To apply for this Entrepreneurship program, follow this link:<\/p>
http:\/\/www.tefconnect.com<\/a><\/p> Shared Interest is a lending society founded in the year 1990 in England.<\/p> However, Its growth has led to the establishment of satellite offices in Ghana, Peru, Kenya, and Costa Rica.<\/p> Also, it has other investments across Africa, especially in Kenya, Mauritius, and some other countries East of Africa.<\/p> Furthermore, Shared Interest has over 9,000 members based in the UK, with each member investing between \u00a3100 to \u00a3100,000. So, this makes available a shared capital of \u00a329m.<\/p> Applications are sent to info@shared-interest.com<\/a><\/p> Tshikululu Social Investments is a South African Corporate Social Investment (CSI) manager responsible for dispensing SME Grants to Africans.<\/p> Furthermore, it is responsible for managing the CSI funds of multiple organizations, especially the FirstRand Foundation, Rand Merchant Bank Fund, De Beers Fund, and so on.<\/p> In addition, Tshikululu goes as far as providing wide-ranging social investments and community grants for private entities in line with developing trends.<\/p> Tel: +27(0)11 544 0300<\/p> Email: info@tshikululu.org.za<\/a><\/p> This community is an exception as it tries to provide startup funding for African Entrepreneurs. However, VC4Africa is an online community which started as a LinkedIn group in the year 2008 and has grown to be one of the largest community with members in 159 countries.<\/p> Also, the platform is targeted at equipping Entrepreneurs through free online tools and mentorship opportunities.<\/p> Although VC4 Africa doesn\u2019t give SME grants, they expose you to opportunities and link you to investors.<\/p> Sign up for a VC4 Africa account, following this link<\/a><\/p> Schwab Foundation is a Social Entrepreneurship-based organization founded in the year 1998. Its headquarters is located in Cologny-Geneva in Switzerland, which makes it under the legal supervision of the Swiss Government.<\/p> However, the Schwab Foundation hunts for just social Entrepreneurs across the Continent and subjects them to severe scrutiny.<\/p> So, until this process is over, you are not considered eligible for the SME grant.<\/p> Tel: +41 (0) 22 869 1212<\/p> Email: info@schwabfound.org<\/a><\/p> Root Capital is a non-profit investment fund that came into existence in the year 1999. But, over the years, it has empowered over 400 businesses in Africa with SME Grants worth over $500 million.<\/p> Furthermore, this fund is out to positively impact rural businesses, communities, and families, socially and environmentally. However, it maintains a 100% payback policy for its investors.<\/p> Kenya Office:<\/p> Mobile: +254 736.864892<\/p> Email: http:\/\/www.rootcapital.org\/about-us\/contact-us<\/a><\/p> Savannah fund is also another exception to the existing-business rule because it provides startup SME grants to African Entrepreneurs.<\/p> However, it focuses on early-stage high growth technology startups in Africa. Further, since its inception in 2002, it has recorded 15 investments in Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana, and South Africa.<\/p> In addition, these investments have, in turn, helped to generate a revenue worth over $8 million and produced close to 100 jobs.<\/p> Kenya Office:<\/em><\/p> 3rd Floor, Bishop Magua Centre,<\/p> George Padmore Lane, m: Lab East Africa,<\/p> P.O Box 58275-00200<\/p> Nairobi, Kenya<\/p> For more details about application guidelines and format, you can go through our detailed guide. <\/a><\/p> To apply to Savannah Fund\u2019s Accelerator Programs, visit:<\/p> http:\/\/savannah.vc\/accelerator\/<\/p> Seedstars Africa is a Swiss-based organization actively investing in over 53 countries across the globe, especially in the Middle East, South America, Asia, and Africa.<\/p> However, to set the ball rolling, Seedstars World annually organizes a very competitive competition for SME grants in emerging markets. This competition helps identify promising companies in need of technical help and capital.<\/p> However, a recent $330,000 investment in Nigeria was SimplePay,<\/em> a third-party payment option that focused on solving the issues with payment gateways in Africa.<\/p> Lundin Foundation is an organization founded in the year 2005 by a Swedish family named Lundin. However, Its headquarters is located in Canada with its regional offices in Ghana and Kenya.<\/p> Also, several businesses and entrepreneurs in over 15 African Countries have benefited from SME grants funded by the Lundin Foundation.<\/p> Tel: 604-689-7842<\/p> info@lundinfoundation.org<\/p> responsAbility Investments is an independent asset manager focused on sectors related to development in emerging economies. Furthermore, It was founded in the year 2003 with its headquarters in Zurich and local offices in Mumbai, Paris, Lima, and Nairobi.<\/p> Also, responsAbility currently has assets worth over $2.2 billion in 500 countries across the globe.<\/p> Tel. +254 709 803 000<\/p> Email: africa@responsAbility.com<\/p> If you are a founder of an existing business initiative, the African Leadership Academy’s Anzisha Prize provides business grants to young inventive African entrepreneurs.<\/p> Young Africans between the ages of 15 and 22 will get not only business funding but also leadership and entrepreneurship training.<\/p> Basically, this is an ideal business grant for young African innovators, regardless of their initiative, business, or project.<\/p> The website for the Anisha Prize is https:\/\/anzishaprize.org.<\/p> This is an annual Africa wide-pitch competition with a $50,000 company fund for startup equity investment.<\/p> MEST Africa Challenge is a great business grant for ICT entrepreneurs in any of the following countries: C\u00f4te d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, S\u00e9n\u00e9gal, South Africa, and Tanzania. The challenge is a one-of-a-kind search for African tech entrepreneurs with a focus on providing mentoring, financing, extensive networking with other entrepreneurs, and startup opportunities.<\/p>#2. Shared Interest<\/h2>
Goal <\/strong><\/h3>
How to Apply<\/strong><\/h3>
#3. Tshikululu Social Investments<\/h2>
Goal<\/strong><\/h3>
Contact Information<\/strong><\/h3>
#4. VC4 Africa<\/h2>
Goal<\/strong><\/h3>
To Join the Community<\/strong><\/h3>
#5. Schwab Foundation<\/h2>
Goal<\/strong><\/h3>
Contact Information<\/strong><\/h3>
#6. Root Capital<\/h2>
Goals<\/strong><\/h3>
Contact Information<\/strong><\/h3>
#7. Savannah Fund<\/h2>
Goal<\/strong><\/h3>
Contact Information<\/strong><\/h3>
#8. Seedstars Africa<\/h2>
Goals<\/strong><\/h3>
#9. Lundin Foundation<\/h2>
Goal<\/strong><\/h3>
Contact Information<\/strong><\/h3>
#10. responsAbility<\/h2>
Goal<\/strong><\/h3>
Contact Information <\/strong><\/h3>
#11. Anzisha Prize<\/h2>
Goal<\/h3>
#12. MEST Africa Challenge<\/h2>
Goal<\/h3>