Closing The Gap
Emerge Group, in collaboration with National Treasury.
An in-house SME funding programme jointly conceptualised with The Business Place NPC — operating under the Jobs Fund agreement managed by GTAC.
Introduction & Background
In 2011, National Treasury introduced The Jobs Fund. Its primary objective is employment creation by supporting initiatives that generate jobs in innovative ways. The Fund offers grants across enterprise development, infrastructure, work-seeker support and institutional capacity building.
The Jobs Fund awards grants through a competitive application process where only the best ideas are funded. Operating on challenge-fund principles, allocations are transparent and open, made by an independent Investment Committee. Applicants share both risk and cost by matching the grant allocation.
The Jobs Fund
R9 billion committed to job creation.
The R9 billion Fund offers once-off grants in enterprise development, infrastructure, support for work seekers and institutional capacity building.
Achievements to date
280,000+ jobs. 266,000+ trained.
Through crowding-in of private, public and non-state sector funding, the Jobs Fund has tripled available capital for job creation — with the majority of opportunities allocated to women, youth and previously disadvantaged individuals.
Closing The Gap — in-house SME funding
A partnership signed with GTAC on 19 February 2020.
Emerge Group (Pty) Ltd and The Business Place NPC jointly conceptualised an on-lending fund that assists existing and budding entrepreneurs with financing and business support training — with the intention of creating full-term employment opportunities.
Access to funding
Development capital at low cost for viable SMMEs.
Market linkages
Bridge access to markets that unlock scale.
De-risked structuring
Fund good projects that traditional financiers overlook.
Entrepreneurial training
Structured business support and mentorship.
Faster time-to-capital
Prevent lost opportunity through delayed funding.
Sustainable employment
Catalyse jobs through public-private partnerships.
Selection criteria
Who we fund.
The project focuses on 100% Previously Disadvantaged Individuals, with most beneficiaries being women and youth. To qualify, applicants should at least meet the following:
- 01SMME must commit to training and business development support
- 02Selected beneficiaries demonstrate potential to grow turnover
- 03Priority to SMMEs with high labour-absorptive capacity
- 04Client meets the definition of black per DTI and the Revised Financial Sector Code
- 05At least 51% black-owned, managed and controlled
- 06Direct involvement in the business operations
- 07Ability to create new and sustainable jobs
- 08Well-detailed business plan
- 09Strong track record and industry expertise
- 10Committed to good governance and strong financial systems
- 11Businesses using credit for 0–3 years
- 12Responsible, co-operative, transparent, and of sound integrity