The R100 million ‘NEF–GDARD Agro-Processing Fund’ is a blended finance facility comprising 30% grant and 70% debt and is aimed at supporting black-owned agro-processing businesses across six priority value chains: grain, horticulture, poultry, red meat, cannabis, and aquaculture.
The Fund was launched at the 2025 Agro-Processing Convention and Expo held at Gallagher Estates, Midrand, Gauteng, on 4 and 5 July 2025, according to a report published in Food for Msanzi.
Among the speakers were:
- Gauteng Finance and Economic Development MEC, Lebogang Maile, who emphasised the importance of agro-processing, which last year contributed R78 million to the province’s economy;
- Gauteng Agriculture MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa, who said the cannabis was part of Gauteng’s food economy and that the Government was looking for “bold partnerships and decisive interventions” to “reshape agro-processing into a truly inclusive, export-ready and job-rich sector”’
- (Editor’s Note: MEC Ramokgopa is yet to account for Gauteng Agriculture’s funding fiasco of Silver Trees cannabis training scheme on the West Rand earlier this year which cost taxpayers R20 million with nothing to show from it)
- National Empowerment Fund CEO, Mzi Dayimani, said agro-processing was a strategic gateway for inclusive industrialisation, rural revitalisation, and food sovereignty.
Dayimani said the Gauteng partnership would be catalytic, addressing “historical funding barriers by offering structured support, technical assistance, and access to markets”.
“Already, the fund has received 188 applications, with 32 meeting the full requirements and a further 18 under review. Beyond financing, the fund provides pre-investment support, facilitates off-take agreements, and assists entrepreneurs in integrating into regional value chains,” he said.
Dayimani said no single institution could unlock the agricultural sector alone. “Through blended finance, co-investment, and systemic alignment, we can support black processors to become exporters and employers.”
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