The Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection (BMWK) supports external consulting services for small and medium-sized companies in the commercial economy, including crafts, with “consulting vouchers for Africa” in order to enable German companies to receive needs-based advice on their economic projects in Africa. For more information on this offering, visit the BAFA website.
InterGest South Africa is listed as a consulting firm under the Bundesamt für Wirtschaft und Ausfuhrkontrolle – BAFA Consulting Vouchers Africa. This means that our market entry consultations and services are funded in the following countries:
- Southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia)
- East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda)
- West Africa (Nigeria)
The content below explains the qualification categories that German companies need to meet in order to qualify for funding, the application process as well as the rules and regulations around obtaining the funding.
1. Aim of the “Consulting Vouchers” Funding Program
1.1 The aim of the program is to use needs-based consulting services to make it easier for German companies to enter the African market, to increase the competitiveness of the companies to be advised and thus to make an effective contribution to maintaining as well as creating jobs both in Europe and in African target markets Afford.
1.2 The funding is intended to assist German companies in correctly assessing possible economic risks associated with entering the African market.
2. Subject of the Business Network Funding
2.1 The subject of the funding is external consulting services for the preparation and implementation of economic projects in African target markets by listed consulting companies/organizations.
2.2 The funded advice can relate to questions about specific industries or economic sectors, African target markets, and legal framework conditions about foreign trade and/or foreign investments and economic studies for the prospective project in Africa.
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- Funding will not be granted if:
- If consulting services were already carried out before the decision on the grant was made.
- If consulting services for market entry in Africa that have already been funded or promised by other aid from the EU, the federal government or a country.
- If services are provided to partner or affiliated companies or where the consulting company/organization has a corresponding economic self-interest in generating income for the consulting company, e.g. B. a profit sharing.
- Companies in difficulty under Article 2(18) of the General Block Exemption Regulation.
- Funding will not be granted if:
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- The advice is not eligible if:
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- The company to be advised has not complied with a recovery order based on an earlier decision by the EU Commission to determine the inadmissibility of state aid and its incompatibility with the internal market.
- The company to be advised has concluded the consulting contract with the consulting company/organization before the decision on the donation (consulting voucher) has been made, the consulting has started or agreements for future consulting have been concluded in a legally binding manner.
- The consulting company/organization is no longer listed at the time the contract is concluded with the company to be advised.
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3. Who can Apply for Funding:
3.1 The funding for consulting services is aimed at legally independent small and medium-sized commercial German companies with a permanent establishment or branch in Germany who are interested in entering the African market.
3.2 A German company is considered to be medium-sized German if it employs fewer than 500 people at the time of application and generates a maximum of EUR 50 million in sales annually.
4. Funding Amount:
4.1 For a consultant day, a maximum of 1,200 euros net are eligible per day, depending on the consulting issue.
4.2 A maximum of 15 consultant days are funded per consultation. The eligible daily maximum rates for the respective consulting topics are as follows:
|
Category |
Services | Funding Amount |
| Category A | market analysis, market research, business partners and local contacts, customs/import regulations, logistics and transport, | Up to 800 euros net |
| Category B | business case calculation, certifications and standards, development of sales structure, | Up to 1,000 euros net |
| Category C | Financing, financing negotiations, establishment of a branch, legal framework. | Up to 1,200 euros net |
4.3 A consulting day consists of at least eight hours. Preparation and follow-up of the consultations, travel expenses and other ancillary costs including the costs of financial transactions are compensated with the respective daily rate.
4.4 In one calendar year, a maximum of three advisory vouchers of a maximum of 13,500 euros each can be used. The annual maximum amount that can be paid out is therefore 40,500 euros. This corresponds to a funding rate of 75% when using three times 15 consulting days at a maximum of 1,200 euros net.
4.5 Only activities in the same category (maximum daily rates) can be applied for each consultant voucher. It can e.g. For example, advice on customs/import regulations and logistics and transport can be combined, but not customs/import regulations with the development of a sales structure or financing.
4.6 The service provided is taxable at the full rate of sales tax applicable in the country in which the service was provided. The expenses not covered by the consulting voucher are to be paid by the company to be advised (beneficiary) as a personal contribution.
5. Application for Consulting Vouchers
5.1 Interested companies first find out more about the target market and eligible projects on the website of the “Business Network Africa” office. The office staff are also available by telephone for non-binding advice on the basic feasibility and eligibility of the advice project. With the information from the homepage and, if necessary, from the discussion with the office, please look for a listed consulting company/consulting organization and contact the consulting company/organisation.
5.2 Important! Please note that a consulting contract may only be concluded after the consulting voucher has been approved.
5.3 After you have chosen a listed consulting company/consulting organization from the list, please submit an electronic application for funding for consulting services.
5.4 A total of three applications can be submitted per year. The applications can only be submitted one after the other, i.e. the second application can only be submitted after BAFA has checked the proof of use of the first application.
Further information pertaining this process, find out how to Receive Government funding for your business activities here: BAFA Funding presentation.
With InterGest South Africa’s reputable name in the industry of international consulting vouchers and particularly consulting vouchers for Africa, clients are reassured of our services and often will choose to work with us. Our experts hold unique knowledge with regard to consulting vouchers and are always eager to assist. With 20 years of service behind us our team is well accustomed to any funding queries you may have. For more information on how we work or to get in contact, visit our website: https://intergest.co.za/
