National Empowerment Fund (NEF) - Tourism Transformation Fund

The Tourism Transformation Fund is administered by the National Empowerment Fund (NEF) on behalf of the Department of Tourism. The main aim of the fund is to drive transformation in the tourism sector and aid the growth of a new generation of black-owned community, youth and women-owned tourism enterprises. 

Projects that have ownership and participation by black women, youth, communities and people with disabilities, as well as projects with a high job creation potential, are a priority.

The fund will focus specifically on:

• Majority black-owned tourism entities and transactions that are commercially viable and sustainable.
  
• Unlocking investment support in the tourism sector for new and established (greenfield and brownfield) small and micro-tourism businesses that provide services to tourists as its direct clients.
  
• Community-based projects in which the Department of Tourism is already involved through its Expanded Public Works Programme (EPWP) for which commercial viability and long-term sustainability have been proven.

Eligibility criteria:

• Your business is at least 51% black-owned.
• Your business is black management controlled.
• The shareholders of your business are operationally involved in the business.
• Your business is registered as a legal entity in South Africa.
• Your business provides services to tourists as its direct clients.

Application process:

The following documents must be submitted for each TTF application:

• A completed and signed NEF application form together with a business plan, financial projections and related supporting documents.
• A completed and signed TTF application checklist.

Applications can be submitted to the NEF in the following two ways:

• Physical applications may be delivered to West Block, 187 Rivonia Road, Morningside, Johannesburg.
• Electronic submissions and enquiries may be sent to tourism@nefcorp.co.za.