About this opportunity
The Africa Startup Congress National and Continental Pitch Competition is the startup competition strand of the Africa Startup Congress 2027, organised by Accelerate Africa. It runs national pitch competitions in 10 participating countries, and the winner of each country advances to the continental competition held during the Africa Startup Congress in Kigali, Rwanda.
The competition is open to registered startups in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Congo. All sectors qualify, including technology, fintech, agritech, healthcare, energy, education, e-commerce, logistics and the creative industries. Startups must already have launched a product or service on the market, or have a functional prototype that has been tested with initial users, so idea-stage projects are not eligible.
The national pitch competitions and roadshows take place between October and November 2026. The Africa Startup Congress 2027 runs from 24 to 26 February 2027 at the Kigali Convention Center, with the continental pitch competition on the final day. The event brings together startups, investors, governments, development organisations and other ecosystem stakeholders from across the continent.
Applications can be submitted in English or French, and the online semi-final can be presented in either language. At the national and continental finals, candidates may present in their country's official language or in English, with simultaneous interpretation available at the grand final in Kigali for candidates who do not speak English or French.
What you receive
- Visibility for the startup at national and continental level
- Exposure to investors and other ecosystem stakeholders
- Opportunities to connect with mentors and potential partners
- Experience pitching at national and continental stages
- The chance to represent your country at the continental ASC Pitch Competition in Kigali
- Participation in the Africa Startup Congress 2027 at the Kigali Convention Center from 24 to 26 February 2027
Who can apply
- The startup must be legally registered in one of the 10 participating countries
- The startup must have launched a product or service on the market, or have a functional prototype tested with initial users
- The founding team must have at least two members
- At least one founding team member must be a national of the country where the startup is participating
- All founding team members must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline
- All sectors are eligible, including technology, fintech, agritech, healthcare, energy, education, e-commerce, logistics and creative industries
- The application form must be completed in full by the legal representative of the startup
Who should not apply
- Startups that raised more than US$500,000 in funding during the previous 12 months are not eligible
- Startups that won first prize in an international startup competition within the previous 24 months are not eligible
- Startups with a founder who is a close relative of, or a paid employee of, a competition jury member are not eligible
- Idea-stage projects without a tangible product or prototype are not eligible
- Startups that fail to meet the registration, development stage or founding team requirements are not eligible
Documents to prepare
- Startup registration and company details, including country, city, date of creation, website, full address, sector and number of employees
- Legal representative and primary contact details, including position, phone number, professional email address and LinkedIn profile
- A project summary of maximum 100 words, plus written answers on the problem, solution, innovation, impact and target market
- Founding team details for between one and five members, including names, roles and background
- The required documents listed in section 5 of the official application form
How to apply
- Open the official Africa Startup Congress contest application form
- Complete all six sections of the form as the legal representative of the startup
- Upload the required documents listed in section 5
- Read and accept the declarations in section 6
- Submit the application before the deadline of 30 September 2026
Selection process
- Applications are reviewed against criteria including innovation, scalability, traction and impact potential
- Selected startups pitch at a national competition, with national pitch competitions and roadshows running between October and November 2026
- An online semi-final stage is held, which can be presented in English or French
- The country winner advances to the continental pitch competition at the Africa Startup Congress in Kigali
- The continental final takes place on the last day of the congress, from 24 to 26 February 2027, with interpretation available for candidates who do not speak English or French
Sources and verification
- Official source , Discovered by the opportunity automation module.
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply with an idea only?
No. The startup must have launched a product or service on the market, or have a functional prototype that has been tested with initial users.
Which countries can take part?
Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Congo. The startup must be legally registered in one of these countries.
In which languages can I apply and present?
Applications can be submitted in English or French, and the online semi-final can be presented in either language. At the national and continental finals you may present in your country's official language or in English, with simultaneous interpretation available at the grand final in Kigali.
Who must complete the application form?
The form must be completed in full by the legal representative of the applying startup, and all information provided must be accurate and verifiable.
Does it cost anything to apply?
No. There is no application fee.
Important disclaimer
Nextali researches and curates useful opportunities to make discovery easier. Before applying, verify every timeline, requirement, fee and application link on the official provider website. Do your own research into the organisation, its background and the authenticity of the offer. Nextali does not guarantee selection, funding or the conduct of third party providers.
