• The competition is open to all registered MSMEs and Cooperatives operating within the Republic of South Africa.
• Businesses must be compliant with South African Revenue Services (SARS) and the Companies and Intellectual Property Commission (CIPC) or the relevant registration authority.
• Businesses must be in good standing and not have any adverse findings against them from previous participation in the awards.
• Previous Winners: Previous winners of the National Presidential MSME & Cooperatives Awards, in any category, are not eligible to enter the 2026 edition. This includes winners from all previous editions of the awards.
• All information provided in the application must be truthful, accurate, and verifiable. Any misrepresentation will result in immediate disqualification.

• Single Entry Rule: For the 2026 edition, only one (1) entry per MSME or Cooperative is permitted. Submitting multiple applications for the same entity will result in the disqualification of all entries from that entity.
• Exclusive Submission Portal: All applications must be submitted exclusively through the official awards website: www.msmeawards.org. Applications submitted via any other platform, email, or physical delivery will not be accepted.
• Nominations can be made by a third party or via self-nomination. All nominated entities will be contacted and directed to complete the official application form exclusively on www.msmeawards.org.
• Applicants must provide complete and accurate information as requested in the official online entry form, including but not limited to company registration documents, identification documents, banking details, and proof of business operations.
• All entries must be submitted through the official website by the stipulated closing date. Late entries will not be considered. The onus is on the applicant to ensure that their application is successfully submitted through the online portal.
• For further technical support regarding the system, direct them to: info@sedfa.org.za or info@msmeawards.org

• All entries will undergo a due diligence process to verify business compliance, authenticity of provided information, and eligibility status, including confirmation that the applicant has not previously won an award.
• The adjudication process will be managed by an independent audit company appointed by the DSBD to ensure fairness and objectivity.
• Selected finalists will be required to advance through rigorous district and provincial pitches before being shortlisted for the national awards.
• The decisions of the adjudicators, independent panel, auditors and the Minister of Small Business Development are final, and no correspondence will be entered into.

• Prizes will be awarded in the form of cash, acquisition of equipment or in kind.
• The determination of prize amounts, categories, and the selection of award recipients shall be at the sole discretion of the Department of Small Business Development (DSBD) and its implementing agency, SEDFA.
• The DSBD and SEDFA reserve the right to amend, vary, or withdraw any prize offerings at any time without prior notice, and no claims or appeals shall be entertained in this regard.
• The DSBD and SEDFA retain the right to conduct physical site visits to verify the application and impact of the cash prize.

By submitting an application, applicants acknowledge that they have read and understood this clause and consent to the processing of their personal information in accordance with the Protection of Personal Information Act, 2013 (Act No. 4 of 2013) ("POPIA").

The DSBD and its implementing agents, including SEDFA, will collect, use, store, and process the personal information of applicants (including but not limited to names, contact details, identification numbers, banking details, and business registration information) solely for the purpose of administering the awards, including:

• Processing and evaluating applications;
• Conducting due diligence and verification processes;
• Facilitating the awarding and disbursement of prizes;
• Communicating with applicants regarding the status of their application and award-related matters.

Personal information will not be disclosed to any third party without the applicant's prior written consent, except where such disclosure is:

• Required by law or regulatory obligation;
• Necessary for the performance of the DSBD's functions in relation to the awards;
• Required by the independent adjudication panel or audit company for evaluation purposes.

The DSBD and SEDFA shall take appropriate, reasonable technical and organisational measures to safeguard the personal information of applicants against unauthorised access, loss, damage, or destruction.

Applicants have the right to:

• Request access to their personal information held by the DSBD;
• Request correction or deletion of their personal information where inaccurate, irrelevant, or excessive;
• Withdraw their consent to the processing of their personal information at any time, provided that such withdrawal may affect their participation in the awards.

Any requests relating to personal information should be directed to the DSBD's Information Officer at: [Insert POPIA Contact Details Here].

By accepting any prize, winners consent to the DSBD and The Presidency publicizing their names, business names, and success stories on official platforms, including government websites, social media, and in the media, without further compensation. This constitutes a necessary element of the awards programme and is subject to the provisions of POPIA.

• These Terms and Conditions are subject to South African law.
• The DSBD reserves the right to withdraw or amend any aspect of the awards at any time, including these Terms and Conditions, without prior notice.
• Any form of fraud, misrepresentation, or non-compliance with these Terms and Conditions will result in immediate disqualification and potential recovery of awarded prizes.