To apply for a loan from CEDA you are required to complete a CEDA loan application form and business plan form. You may prepare a separate business plan which should be submitted together with a completed loan application form. For your project to qualify for funding from CEDA it must be viable, sustainable and adding value to the economy. All these forms are available at all CEDA offices countrywide.
FAQ's
CEDA finances viable and sustainable projects according to the sectors of Agri-business, Property and Manufacturing and Services.
The turn-around time for CEDA to give feedback on the loan application is 14 days. This is on condition that the applicant has provided sufficient information to allow CEDA to make its decision. Therefore, the applicant has to provide as much information as possible to enable CEDA to evaluate the business plan within the set timeframe.
There are various options available. The borrower may be required to pay their loan monthly, quarterly, bi-annually or annually depending on the gestation period and the cash-flow of the project.
There are normally pre-disbursement conditions attached to the approval of the loan, once all these conditions have been fulfilled, the loan can start disbursing in accordance with the implementation schedule agreed with the borrower.
CEDA application forms together with the business plan forms are available on the website and at all CEDA offices countrywide.
CEDA finances start-ups and expansion of existing businesses. Therefore, individuals or companies wishing to start a new business and those wishing to expand existing businesses can apply.
CEDA finances all projects that prove to be viable and sustainable. All projects submitted for CEDA funding are subjected to a thorough evaluation to determine viability, sustainability and justification for funding including cattle posts. Boreholes and tractors alone are not projects, but may form components of a project, and if a complete project is found to be viable and sustainable, CEDA will fund it.
CEDA finances only viable and sustainable projects, so the project has to be able to repay the loan, as such the loan repayment has to be from the project and not from any other sources. That can only happen if the project has collapsed or is subsequently found to be failing to repay the loan.
There is a grace period on the repayment of the loan, which varies depending on the implementation of the project, gestation period of the project and the cash-flow of the project. However, as per CEDA's new set of guidelines, the grace period has been extended but should not exceed 48 months.
Yes, the applicant can appeal to the Chief Executive Officer. Reasons are provided for every unsuccessful application and when one appeals, they must give reasons for not agreeing with the decision and any other information why their application should be re-considered.
Borrowers are expected to repay any amount spent in a project, whether the project has been successful or has not been successful including money spent in borehole drilling where one hits a blank.
The sector is currently experiencing some hiccups and CEDA is treading with utmost caution in this industry.
The CEDA mainline and the Credit Guarantee Scheme are strictly for citizen entrepreneurs. However, the other CEDA subsidiary, the CEDA Venture Capital Fund, provides for a joint venture between citizens and non-citizens.