Next-Gen – Exporter Incubation Programme

The Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and Universities South Africa (USAf), through the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme, launch the Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme, a 12-month, high-impact initiative aimed at equipping youth-owned businesses with the exporting skills, resources, and support required to become successful first-time exporters. This stream of the programme is dedicated to the alumni of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme.

The Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme stems from the recent Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (the dtic) and Universities South Africa (USAf) through the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme. This partnership aims to cultivate an export culture among student- and youth-owned businesses, equipping them with the tools and support needed to expand into international markets.

This initiative is also firmly aligned with the aspirations of the African Union’s Agenda 2063 — “The Africa We Want” — particularly Aspirations 1 (A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development) and 6 (An Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African people, especially its youth and women). Young entrepreneurs are the driving force behind Africa’s transformation, and it is their innovative solutions today that will shape the globally competitive goods and services of 2063 and beyond.

However, while entrepreneurial spirit is strong among South Africa’s youth, many young businesses face persistent barriers when attempting to export:

  • Limited awareness of how to access global markets and leverage agreements like the AfCFTA.
  • Inability to meet international compliance standards and technical requirements.
  • A lack of integrated support systems linking early-stage entrepreneurship with structured export development.
  • Minimal exposure to international markets, networks, and financing instruments.
  • Insufficient practical export knowledge, particularly in logistics, digital trade, and regulatory navigation.

The Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme seeks to address these challenges by guiding youth-owned businesses through a structured export journey combining self-paced learning, peer collaboration, expert mentorship, and experiential exposure to global markets. By supporting this generation of youth entrepreneurs to become Africa’s next generation of exporters, the programme contributes directly to building a competitive, innovative, and inclusive African economy that thrives on the ingenuity of its youth.

In doing so, it not only responds to immediate development needs but invests in Africa’s long-term competitiveness on the global stage, laying a solid foundation for a new wave of globally recognised, youth-led African enterprises by 2063.

The Next-Gen Exporter Incubation Programme is a 12-month, high-impact initiative aimed at equipping youth-owned businesses with the exporting skills, resources, and support required to become successful first-time exporters. This stream of the programme is dedicated to the alumni of the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme.

Designed specifically for youth-led enterprises with high export potential, the programme supports participants in achieving export readiness through a structured development journey. Key focus areas include export capacity-building, market access facilitation, compliance and certification, technical advisory, and links to finance solutions.

The programme also aims to leverage strategic trade opportunities offered through frameworks such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), SADC, BRICS, AGOA, the EU, and cross-border e-commerce. Special emphasis will be placed on digital trade, digital platforms, and green technology-enabled solutions to expand global reach.

The programme will address the following objectives aligned to the export strategy of the country;

  • Deliver capacity building on exporting,
  • Provide export readiness assessments
  • Provide technical advisory, mentorship and coaching,
  • Coordinate support for compliance and international certification processes.
  • Facilitate access to market opportunities
  • Guide participants in the development of practical export marketing strategies.
  • Support in implementing digital trade solutions

Participants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

  • Be an EDHE programme alumnus.
  • Business must be over 50% youth-owned (at the time of applying), formally registered, and operating for at least 12 months.
  • Demonstrate high export potential and a credible local market presence.
  • Founder must be fully dedicated to the business and commit to the full 12-month programme.
  • Annual business turnover must be at least R500,000 but not more than R30m
  • Business must operate within one of the following priority sectors:
  • Agro-processing
  • Automotive
  • Cannabis and Hemp
  • Clothing, Textiles, Leather and Footwear (CTLF)
  • Steel, Metal Fabrication & Aluminium
  • Global Business Services (GBS)
  • Battery Value Chains & Critical Mineral Beneficiation
  • Digital, Green or Oceans Economy
  • Chemicals, Plastics & Cosmetics
  • Pharmaceuticals, Vaccines & Medical Technologies
  • Electro-technical & White Goods
  • Aerospace & Defence

The programme adopts a blended practical learning approach (both synchronous and asynchronous) incorporating:

  • Self-Learning (Virtual): Participants will access virtual trainings using different e-learning platforms covering export fundamentals, compliance, market research, AfCFTA (and other trade agreements) and digital trade.
  • Peer Learning (Physical): Cohort-based bootcamps and workshops fostering collaboration, networking, and shared experiences.
  • Experiential Learning (Market Exploratory Mission): Market exposure tours, trade missions, and participation in international trade events.

Awareness, Participants & Onboarding Training & Development Technical & Compliance Support Market Access Graduation & Integration
Awareness created to over 100 youth owned – businesses as part of recruitment for the first intake. 15 youth-owned business trained on exporting skills, digital trade and AfCFTA. 15 business received advise and support on standards, certification, and product compliance. 10 businesses linked with international buyers and markets. 10 businesses graduate;
top 3 recognised.
50 youth-owned business assessed on export readiness. 15 youth-owned business coached on developing an export marketing plan. 15 business supported integrate digital trade intro their operations. 5 businesses supported to start exporting for the first time. Exit plans created to link participants to other initiative for ongoing support.

Apply here

Click here to apply

Closing Date: 8 June 2025

Contact Details

Programme Duration and Phases

The programme runs from May 2025 to March 2026 and is structured into five key phases:

Phase 1: Launch (Preparation, Recruitment and Selection) (May 2025)

  • Programme Design: Finalise programme structure, schedule activities, branding.
  • Webinar Launch: Promotional campaign of the programme, and application process.15 May 2025
  • Call for Applications: Open application process for eligible EDHE alumni. Open 15 May -30 May
  • Selection: Review of applications, shortlist and interview and select final 15 participants. 09 -13 June
  • Announcement of participants: Announcement of successful participants.30 June 2025
  • Monitoring: Steering Committee progress status report. Last week June

Phase 2: Onboarding (Awareness Building) (01 July 2025 -30 June 2026)

  • Assessment: Self assessments. Diagnostic Assessments to evaluation of the company’s current export knowledge, capabilities, and market potential, gaps and opportunities. Develop a profile for each participant. (Virtual Induction, 2 hours 03 July 2025
  • Onboarding: 2 Day Activation Bootcamp for initial introduction, unpacking programme and activities. Introduction Workshop covering fundamentals such as international trade regulations, Incoterms, export documentation, customs procedures, and market research methodologies. Introduction to AfCFTA benefits and market access opportunities (enrolment into the ITC AfCFTA course). Sharing export development and promotion instruments, guidance on identifying potential export markets based on product suitability and market demand analysis. Sharing funding and incentives for emerging exporters. 30-31 July 2025
  • Enrolment: Support in enrolling for training platforms and brief induction on platform use.(E-Learning WTO,ITC,SIPPO,ITRISA)
  • Tools and resources: Sharing of tools for Market Identification, Market intelligence, Export Potential and other relevant export tools.
  • Monitoring: Steering Committee progress status report

Phase 3: Development (Capacity Building) ( August – October 2025)

The phase initiates delivery of development initiatives focused on capacity building include the following;

  • Global Export Passport Programme (GEPP): Comprehensive export training to enhance participants’ global competitiveness and coaching towards export marketing plan.
  • International Compliance Training: Training on export regulations for key markets, covering Global Food Export Compliance, Essential Food Safety and Hygiene Practices, Labelling and Traceability, Sanitary and Phytosanitary Requirements and Food Contact Materials, Certification, Audits, and Market Access Strategies.
  • AfCFTA Training Programme: Finalise leaning on the AfCFTA and produce certificate of completion.
  • E-commerce and Digital Trade: Training on online export platforms, digital marketing for international sales, and leveraging digital trade tools.
  • Coaching Support focusing on:
    • Product Adaptation: Advise and support in modifying products to meet international quality standards and market preferences.
    • Payment, Insurance, Logistics and Shipping: Understanding payment options, risk mitigation solutions, international shipping procedures, freight forwarding, and customs clearance.
    • Marketing Plan Development: Coaching on sales techniques, negotiation strategies, pricing strategies and managing international customer relationships. Development of a comprehensive export strategy including pricing, distribution channels, and promotional activities.
  • Presentation of Plans: Presentation to a panel of experts for industry related advise. Adjustments, review and modification of plans.
  • Advancing to phase 4: Selection of participants advancing to next phase.
  • Monitoring: Steering Committee progress status report.

Phase 4: Expansion (Advanced support and Market Entry) (November – February 2026)

  • Participants Business Directory: Profile all participants in a digital business directory publication.
  • Allocate a export mentor: Assign an export mentor for handholding and support in establishing distribution networks and identifying suitable export partners.
  • Avail product Expert or Specialist Advise: Specialist and technical advice to be provided relating to product improvements and market intelligence.
  • Exploratory/Exposure Mission Participation: Facilitation of participation in a exploratory mission to connect with potential buyers, to practically learn the culture of doing business in the designated market, matchmaking with potential partners, sharing best practice and conducting site visits for learning purposes. The mission will be for one week to any of these markets, Mozambique, DRC, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal, Ethiopia, Angola (the decision on the country to be made consultation with mentor/s after profiling and export marketing plans have ben finalised.
  • Monitoring: Steering Committee progress status report

Phase 5: Exit (Graduation and Transition) (March 2026)

  • Graduation: Mini-Graduation of all the participants who have successfully completed the programme.
  • Recognition Awards: Recognition of top three incubation participants at the 2026 EDHE Awards Ceremony.
  • Testimonial and Success Stories: Conduct overall programme satisfaction survey and profile all participants – key success stories and testimonials.
  • Transition to Export Promotion: Integrate into broader export promotion platforms such as EMIA initiatives i.e. National Pavilion delegations, Outbound missions, Country-specific promotions, Sector support interventions. Connecting alumni with other successful exporters, industry stakeholders, and digital trade experts.
  • Performance Evaluation: Tracking export performance metrics and providing feedback on areas for improvement. Final cohort closeout report with recommendations for improvement for the next cohort to be recruited
  • Monitoring and Evaluation – (April to July 2025 ).