By Johnathan Paoli
The government has officially launched the long-awaited R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund, which is aimed at transforming township economies by empowering spaza shop owners and informal businesses.
The launch event in Soweto was led by Small Business Development Minister Stella Tembisa Ndabeni-Abrahams and Trade, Industry and Competition Minister Parks Tau, marking a significant milestone in South Africa’s economic inclusion agenda.
First announced by President Cyril Ramaphosa in November last year, the fund is jointly administered by the National Empowerment Fund and the Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency.
It provides both financial and non-financial assistance to South African-owned spaza shops and community convenience stores, particularly those operating in underserved townships and rural areas.
Tau emphasised the government’s commitment to revitalising the informal economy.
“The R500 million Spaza Shop Support Fund is an investment in the grassroots economy. It enables spaza shop owners, many of whom are women
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