Short answer: in South Africa you do not “sell” your eggs. You donate them, and you are compensated for your time and effort. With Egg Donation South Africa (EDSA), donors are compensated R8 000 every time they donate, paid into their bank account, and they pay nothing for the medical side of the donation.
What does the law say about egg donor compensation?
Egg donation in South Africa is regulated by the National Health Act (Act 61 of 2003) and is anonymous. The law allows financial compensation for reasonable expenses incurred by the donor, such as injectable medication, regular consultations, ultrasound scans, blood tests and travel to the clinic. A donor may not have more than 6 children born from her donations.
How much are egg donors compensated at EDSA?
EDSA compensates donors R8 000 every time they donate. You do not pay for any of the medical procedures or medical aspects of your donation. Many donors say the money is not their main reason for donating. Most do it to help someone become a parent.
Who can donate?
- Women aged 19 to 29
- With a normal BMI
- With no family history of bipolar disorder or schizophrenia
See the full list of steps in our guide to becoming an egg donor in South Africa.
Where do I donate?
Recipients usually have established relationships with their own doctors, which determines where donations take place. EDSA works with clinics across the country, and your coordinator will confirm the details of your donation cycle.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell my eggs in South Africa?
No. Egg donation is a regulated, anonymous donation. Donors are compensated for their time and reasonable expenses.
How much will I be paid?
EDSA compensates donors R8 000 every time they donate.
Do I pay for medical costs?
No. You do not pay for any of the medical procedures or medical aspects of your donation.
Is my identity protected?
Yes. Recipients only know your donor alias, and your name and adult photos are never disclosed.
What compensation covers
The law allows financial compensation for reasonable expenses, such as injectable medication, regular consultations, ultrasound scans, blood tests and travel expenses to the clinic. EDSA’s R8 000 recognises your time, commitment and effort. It is paid into your bank account every time you donate, and you are never asked to pay for the medical procedures.
Why EDSA does not treat donation as a sale
Egg donation is a regulated, anonymous donation under the National Health Act. Donors are screened medically and psychologically, recipients choose from anonymous profiles, and a record is kept of all donations and resulting pregnancies. Because it is a donation, the focus is on care for the donor, not on a price.
Is it about the money?
For most donors, no. Many tell us they were drawn by the chance to help someone become a parent, and that the experience meant more than they expected.
I started donating as an extra income, as time went, I found out that it’s much more than that. Being able to help those who struggle to conceive, I then realised the joy and fulfillment it brings to give hope to others. It’s a journey I’m truly grateful for, and one I continue with pride.
EDSA egg donor
What happens before you are paid
- Contact EDSA and meet our egg donation coordinator.
- Complete the application form and your medical and psychological screening.
- Join the anonymous donor database and wait to be chosen by a recipient.
- Go through your donation cycle: about 10 days of injections, 3 to 4 scans and the retrieval.
- Receive R8 000 into your bank account.
Does the number of donations affect payment?
You are compensated R8 000 every time you donate. A donor may not have more than 6 children born from her donations, so ask your coordinator how this applies to you. See how many times can a woman donate?
Take the next step
EDSA was founded in 2007 and is South Africa’s first egg donor agency. Our team is led by Kimenthra Raja, an embryologist with more than 20 years of IVF laboratory experience, and our egg donation coordinator, Kinny Ramoeng, supports each donor personally. Read our complete guide to becoming an egg donor, visit the donors page, browse the egg donor FAQs or apply now. You can also contact us or call +27 83 761 6961.