💨 Abstract

Four months after its launch, South Africa's R500-million spaza shop fund has faced low compliance, with only 14% of 10,000 applicants meeting requirements. The South African Spaza Shops Association attributes this to "rigid compliance criteria." The fund, offering up to R100,000 per applicant as a grant-loan mix, aims to support informal traders but is criticized for unrealistic expectations.

Courtesy: Ray Leathern