Consulting Vouchers Africa (Beratungsgutscheine Afrika)

Promotion of Economic Development, SMEs and doing business in Africa

InterGest South Africa is listed as a consulting firm of the “Consulting Vouchers Africa“ funding program – An initiative funded by the Federal Office of Economics and Export Control (Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle – BAFA), a German Government agency.

The Consulting Vouchers Africa program enables SME companies with a permanent establishment or branch office in Germany to receive needs-based consulting services for their business venture in Africa, from BAFA-registered consulting firms. The funding applies to external consulting services for the preparation and implementation of economic projects in African target markets.

Introduction to BAFA Consulting Vouchers

Consulting Vouchers Explained

Goals of the consulting vouchers

  • Facilitate market entry of companies into Africa
  • Help companies properly assess potential economic risks
  • Increase competitiveness of consulting companies
  • Maintain and create jobs in Africa and Europe

Consultation topic criterias

  • Specific industries/sectors (industry-specific advice on economic/investment projects)
  • African target markets (country-specific advice on economic/investment projects)
  • Legal issues & regulatory framework with regard to foreign trade/foreign investments
  • Studies on the economic feasibility & financing of the project

Qualifying criteria for interested companies

  • Legally independent SMEs in the commercial sector, including the skilled trades, with a permanent establishment or branch office in Germany and an interest in entering the African market.
  • Medium-sized companies with a permanent establishment or branch office in Germany and including affiliated companies, fewer than 500 employees, under €50 million in annual turnover and an interest in entering the African market.

Funding amount

  • 75% of the eligible expenses are funded by the vouchers
  • Maximum of 15 consultant days per consultation
  • Depending on the matter, maximum € 1.200 net per consulting day
  • A consulting day comprises at least 8 hours – preparation and wrap up, travel expenses, incidental expenses are included in the daily rate.
  • Maximum 3 consulting vouchers per year of maximum €13,500 per voucher (Maximum €40,500 per year).
  • A consulting voucher can only combine activities of the same category (see categories below)

Consulting Categories

Services

 

Maximum daily rate

 
Market analysis, market research, business partners & local contacts, customs/import regulations, logistics & transportation

Up to €800 net per consulting day
Business case calculation, certifications & standards, setting up sales structure

Up to €1.000 net per consulting day
Financing, financing negotiation, establishment of branch offices, legal advice

Up to €1.200 net per consulting day

Applying for Consulting Vouchers

Important: A consulting contract may only be concluded after the consulting voucher has been approved

Procedure:

  1. Complete the application form with your company data
  2. Select InterGest South Africa (Pty) Ltd (Number “124” on the list) as the consulting company for your request. A complete list of consulting priorities can be found here.
  3. Submit the application form electronically. (Only one application at a time – additional applications may be submitted after one application has been approved).
  4. The following documents must be uploaded additionally when submitting the application:
    1. De-minimis declaration and SME declaration (is done electronically with the application). Information on De-minimis can be found here.
    2. Commercial register excerpt
    3. Description of the project including the following information:
      1. Description of the proposed business and the economic objectives of the project,
      2. existing activities in Africa,
      3. Reasons for seeking consulting services,
      4. Timetable for the implementation of the project
    4. The BAFA checks the application for eligibility and intended funding. If the result is positive, the applying company is sent a notification of funding.
    5. After approval, a consulting contract may be concluded on the basis of a prescribed contract template.
    6. Payments must be evidenced by orderly accounting. Cash payments and offsets are not eligible. Invoices must be paid in full prior to submitting the proof of use (see below).

Proof of use

  • Electronic submission via proof of use form
  • Completely filled out use form to be submitted within 12 weeks after completion of consulting services
  • The following documents must be attached:
    • Bank voucher for complete payment
    • Factual report including comparison of planned and performed consulting services. According to the consulting report prepared by the consulting company.
    • Consulting contract with annexes
    • Copy of the invoice of the consulting company
    • Online feedback form (link to the online portal will be sent to you by e-mail.) (Feedback is mandatory for processing the proof of use).
  • Further online survey will take place 6-8 weeks after the completion of the consultation.
  • After checking the proof of use, the funding amount will be transferred to your bank account.

The funding for the “Consulting Vouchers Africa” program is provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWi).

If you have any further questions, please contact Mr. Felix Wieneke: contact@intergest.co.za.

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WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY

“We share a close business relationship with Intergest for more than a decade.  Friendly and efficient staff who is always willing to go the extra mile!”


 

“InterGest South Africa has been the fundamental core in our daily business. Their service has been meticulous, reliable and has exceeded our expectations on numerous occasions. We are reassured to know all our accounting and HR needs act in accordance with the rules and regulations. The InterGest South Africa team is always eager to assist without fail. We are proud to have them on our team.”

 

“InterGest has been our accounting partner since MMSA was established in South Africa in 2012. Over the years, we have built up a strong professional relationship that is more than just business”

 

“Since 2006 we have been using the professional services from InterGest South Africa. From setting up our South African affiliate and then further supporting our finance and accounting department, e.g. dealing with our payroll seamless, quick and stress-free as well as supporting us with all taxation issues by their dedicated and professional specialists.

Due to the successful growth we are now on the way to expand our business into Eastern Africa and this with the help of the InterGest team. We recognise this team as an utterly professional, dedicated, informative, helpful and friendly.”


 

“We have been working with Volker, Luise and the rest of the InterGest South Africa team as our strategic accounting and admin partner for more than 12 years. They have been a vital part of our business and their support, professionalism and expert advice has made sure we run efficiently. Nothing is ever too much to ask and they will always walk the extra mile. InterGest is a partner to us, not a supplier.”

 
cost and management accounting african markets
WHAT OUR CLIENTS SAY