Citizen Entrepreneurial Development Agency (CEDA) ramped up funding to small businesses while tightening collections, as government leans on the institution to drive citizen-led growth amid fiscal pressure.
Figures tabled in Parliament show the agency invested P696 million in 1,716 businesses by the end of the third quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year, creating 3,109 jobs and sustaining a further 1,569.
On the revenue side, CEDA collected P814 million in loan repayments and generated P207 million in income, reflecting an increased focus on recoveries as liquidity constraints weigh on the public purse.
The agency continues to position itself as a development finance vehicle, offering loans ranging from P500 for micro enterprises to as much as P50 million for large-scale projects, with subsidised interest rates for priority sectors such as manufacturing, agriculture and tourism.
A five-year strategy, branded ‘Katlego ya Mogwebi,’ is now guiding operations, with emphasis on sustainability and SME growth. Key interventions include restructuring distressed firms, particularly in manufacturing, and rolling out a ’60/40′ funding model that channels capital into high-impact projects while reserving a portion for inclusion-focused ventures.
CEDA is also diversifying its approach through digitisation, equity participation and sector-specific products, including financing for horticulture, poultry and livestock under the A-Di-Tsale programme.
However, officials acknowledge that government liquidity challenges continue to affect the agency’s portfolio performance, prompting a renewed push to improve collections and reduce non-performing loans.
The data underscores CEDA’s dual role as both a catalyst for enterprise development and a balance-sheet-sensitive lender navigating tightening fiscal conditions.