the dti (Department of Trade and Industry: Republic of South Africa)

What the dti (Department of Trade and Industry: Republic of South Africa) does

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) is a national government ministry of the Republic of South Africa, headquartered at 77 Meintjies Street, Sunnyside, Pretoria, with regional offices in Durban, Cape Town, and Gqeberha. It was formed through the merger of the former Department of Trade and Industry with the Economic Development Department and operates under the executive authority of Minister Parks Tau (appointed June 2026) within the Government of National Unity.

The dtic's core product is a portfolio of 25+ financial incentive programs administered through digital portals, including the 12I Tax Allowance, Automotive Investment Scheme, Black Industrialists Scheme (catalytic funding up to R50 million), Agro-Processing Support Scheme, EMIA export assistance, Film Incentives, Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme, and the SPII innovation program. These are delivered alongside regulatory services (B-BBEE verification, competition enforcement, merger control, IP registration via CIPC, liquor licensing, consumer protection) and trade facilitation through InvestSA One-Stop Shop, 50+ foreign economic representative offices, and Special Economic Zones. Underlying technology consists of government digital infrastructure platforms including the Online Incentive System (OIS) Portal, InvestSA One-Stop Shop, and Export Support Desk for investor facilitation and aftercare.

The dtic does not operate on a commercial revenue model. It is funded through national treasury budget appropriations, and its incentive programs and services are provided free at point of use to South African businesses. Its primary customer segments are South African exporters and manufacturers, SMMEs, black industrialists, foreign investors, and priority industrial sectors (automotive, steel, sugar, poultry, clothing/textiles). It discharges its mandate through a network of 17 specialized agencies and development finance institutions including the IDC, NEF, ECIC, ITAC, Competition Commission, CIPC, SABS, and others, supported by compliance frameworks such as POPIA.

Name

the dti (Department of Trade and Industry: Republic of South Africa)

Legal name

Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic)

Website

https://thedtic.gov.za

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Short description

The dtic is South Africa's national Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, administering 25+ financial incentive programs, regulatory frameworks (B-BBEE, competition, IP, liquor), and trade and investment facilitation services for SMMEs, exporters, black industrialists, foreign investors, and priority industrial sectors through 17 specialized agencies and digital portals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Trade and Industry Services

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (92615)

SIC

Services-Management Consulting Services (8742)

akta.pro primary industry

Process Safety & Major Hazard Risk Management (PSM) (BPAHAJAE)

Keywords

• Industrial development incentives
• Trade promotion services
• Investment facilitation
• Export marketing assistance
• Regulatory compliance services

Headquarters

HQ city

Pretoria

HQ country

South Africa

HQ region

Africa

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The dtic is a South African government department that administers a portfolio of 19+ financial incentive programmes, regulatory services, and trade and investment facilitation tools to support industrial development, export promotion, and economic transformation. Core offerings include the Black Industrialists Scheme (up to R50 million catalytic funding), 12I Tax Allowance, Automotive Investment Scheme, Agro-Processing Support Scheme, EMIA export marketing assistance, Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme, and B-BBEE compliance and verification services. These are delivered through the InvestSA One-Stop Shop, the OIS digital portal, regional offices in four cities, and a network of 17 specialised agencies covering everything from company registration (CIPC) to competition enforcement and trade remedies (ITAC).

Product overview

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) is a South African government department providing a comprehensive portfolio of financial incentives, regulatory services, and trade facilitation programs. The core offering consists of 19+ distinct financial incentive programs (including the Black Industrialists Scheme, Automotive Investment Scheme, Agro-Processing Support Scheme, EMIA, Film Incentives, and manufacturing support programs), supported by regulatory services (B-BBEE, Special Economic Zones, trade and export services, liquor regulation), all delivered through a network of web portals and regional offices. The department operates as a platform of interconnected programs rather than a single unified product, with services organized around trade policy, investment promotion, sector development, regulation, incentives, exports, and transformation.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 12I Tax Allowance Incentive Tax allowance incentive programme supporting industrial investment projects in South Africa, targeted at qualifying manufacturing and greenfield/expansion investments.
• Agro-Processing Support Scheme (APSS) Financial incentive accelerating South Africa's agricultural value chain through support for agro-processing enterprises.
• Aerospace Industry Support Initiative (AISI) Incentive scheme supporting aerospace industry investment and capabilities in South Africa.
• Aquaculture Development and Enhancement Programme (ADEP) Incentive scheme supporting investment and growth in South Africa's aquaculture sector.
• Automotive Investment Scheme (AIS) Incentive scheme supporting automotive manufacturing investments, including Medium and Heavy Commercial Vehicles (MHCV-AIS) and People-carrier (P-AIS) variants.
• Black Industrialists Scheme (BIS) Catalytic funding programme unlocking up to R50 million for black industrialists driving South Africa's manufacturing future; accessed through a dedicated online portal launched in 2026.
• Capital Projects Feasibility Programme (CPFP) Programme supporting feasibility studies for capital projects to enable better project development and investment decisions.
• Clothing, Textiles, Footwear and Leather Growth Programme (CTFLGP) Support programme for the clothing, textiles, footwear and leather value chain to enhance competitiveness and growth.
• Critical Infrastructure Programme (CIP) Programme supporting critical infrastructure development, including the Critical Infrastructure Reconstruction Programme (CIRP).
• Export Marketing and Investment Assistance (EMIA) Scheme helping South African exporters participate in international trade shows and national pavilions, and supporting trade missions to promote locally manufactured products in international markets.
• Film Incentive Incentive programme for film and television production, including Foreign Film and Television Production Post-Production Incentive, SA Film & TV Production and Co-production, and South African Film and Television Production Incentive.
• Global Business Service (GBS) Incentive supporting global business services operations in South Africa.
• Innovation and Technology Funding Instruments Funding instruments supporting innovation and technology development in South African enterprises.
• Manufacturing Competitiveness Enhancement Programme (MCEP) Loan facility programme enhancing competitiveness of South African manufacturing enterprises.
• Manufacturing Support Programme (MSP) Programme supporting manufacturing enterprises in South Africa.
• Production Incentive (PI) Incentive supporting production activities in target sectors.
• Sector Specific Assistance Scheme (SSAS) Assistance scheme providing sector-specific support to qualifying enterprises and export organisations.
• Strategic Partnership Programme (SPP) Programme fostering strategic partnerships to support industrial development objectives.
• Support Programme for Industrial Innovation (SPII) Programme supporting industrial innovation through funding and development assistance.
• Technology and Human Resource for Industry Programme (THRIP) Programme supporting technology development and human resource capabilities for industry advancement.
• Workplace Challenge Programme (WPC) Programme supporting workplace-based skills development and competitiveness.
• Khoebo Innovation Promotion Programme (KIPP) Programme promoting innovation among small and medium enterprises.
• InvestSA One Stop Shop Government investment promotion portal providing a one-stop shop for investment promotion, investor facilitation, and aftercare support for foreign and domestic investors.
• Online Incentive System (OIS) Portal Digital portal providing a dedicated website for accessing and applying to the dtic's financial incentives, including the Agro-Processing Support Scheme (APSS) and Black Industrialists Scheme.
• Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE) Government programme promoting black economic empowerment, including codes, acts, strategies, charters, procurement, transformation, and verification.
• Special Economic Zones (SEZ) Programme Programme developing special economic zones to attract investment and promote industrial development across South Africa.
• Industrial Development Services Services including industrial procurement, national industrial policy framework, national industrial participation programme, technical barriers to trade, and institutional support.
• Trade and Export Services Services including foreign economic representatives, market access, trade agreements, export development and promotion, investment promotion, business facilitation and aftercare, and trade institutional support.
• National Liquor Authority Authority regulating liquor licensing and compliance under the National Liquor Act.

Quantifiable outcome

• The Black Industrialists Scheme provides up to R50 million in catalytic funding for black industrialists

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 24 June 2026Minister Parks Tau signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Afreximbank during a working visit to Egypt. The partnership aims to strengthen trade and investment cooperation between South Africa and African markets through enhanced financing mechanisms.
• KwaZulu-Natal Department of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs (EDTEA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 June 2026the dtic partnered with EDTEA to host the 2nd International Special Economic Zones Infrastructure and Investment Conference, focusing on promoting SEZ development and attracting investment to the KwaZulu-Natal region.
• People's Democratic Republic of AlgeriaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026MOU between the Government of South Africa and Algeria on Economic Cooperation, tabled in Parliament for ratification. Aims to strengthen bilateral economic relations and trade between the two countries.
• Kingdom of LesothominorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026MOU between the Government of South Africa and Lesotho on Economic Cooperation. Aims to strengthen economic cooperation and trade relations within the Southern African region.
• Republic of MozambiqueminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 June 2026MOU between the Government of South Africa and Mozambique on Economic Cooperation. Aims to enhance bilateral trade and investment flows between the two nations.
• Republic of BotswanaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Africa-Botswana Business Forum engagement led by Deputy Minister Abrahams to strengthen bilateral trade and investment relations.
• China State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVice Minister Shu Wei led a delegation to South Africa for a landmark meeting and signing ceremony with Minister Tau, focusing on regulatory cooperation and market oversight.
• Southern African Customs Union (SACU)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSouth Africa successfully concluded the 9th SACU Summit of Heads of State or Government, reaffirming commitment to industrialisation and regional economic integration within the customs union.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• UK Department for Business and Trade: UK government department responsible for trade policy, investment promotion, and industrial strategy. Directly comparable to the dtic in mandate (trade + industry + competition), with similar incentive programs and an investor aftercare function (Invest in Great Britain).
• U.S. Department of Commerce: U.S. federal department overseeing trade promotion (ITA), industry development (Manufacturing Extension Partnership), standards (NIST), and economic growth. Comparable in scope to the dtic with parallel functions in trade facilitation, industrial policy, and standards bodies.
• Ministry of Commerce (China - MOFCOM): Chinese ministry handling domestic and foreign trade, investment promotion, and economic cooperation. Most relevant BRICS+ partner for the dtic given the active SAMR engagement and bilateral cooperation signaling in the data.
• Department of Industry, Science and Resources (Australia): Australian department combining industry policy, science funding, and resources. Comparable in delivering sector-specific industry plans, manufacturing incentives, and critical minerals investment promotion analogous to dtic's sector master plans.
• Singapore Ministry of Trade and Industry: Singapore ministry responsible for trade and industrial policy with strong investor facilitation mandate (EDB sits alongside). Comparable as a high-performing peer that pairs incentive design with aftercare, benchmarking the dtic's InvestSA One-Stop Shop.
• Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (Germany): German federal ministry for industry, energy, and economic policy. Comparable in delivering industrial master plans, SME and innovation incentives, and export promotion (Germany Trade & Invest), offering a benchmark for dtic's incentive architecture.

Direct peers

• Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment (Nigeria): Nigerian ministry with near-identical mandate name and scope covering industry, trade, and investment promotion. Most relevant African peer to the dtic, particularly for investor facilitation and SMME support program design.
• Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry (Kenya): Kenyan ministry covering industrial development, trade, and investment promotion with SEZ administration. Directly comparable to the dtic on Special Economic Zones, export promotion, and investor aftercare under an African context.
• Brazilian Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade and Services (MDIC): Brazilian ministry combining development, industry, trade, and services policy. Most structurally similar BRICS peer to the dtic, with sector plans, investment promotion, and competition oversight analogous to South Africa's framework.
• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), India: Indian ministry responsible for industrial policy, investment promotion, and internal trade. Directly comparable to the dtic in delivering sector-specific incentive schemes, FDI facilitation, and startup/industrialist support programs in a large emerging market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/thedtiSouthAfrica?feature=guide
• Facebookfacebook.com/pages/The-Department-of-Trade-and-Industry-South-Africa/314581788596317

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries17 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments1 record

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about the dti (Department of Trade and Industry: Republic of South Africa)