Grants and opportunities for your next phase

Forward Fooding

FoodTech 500 2026 Global AgriFoodTech Ranking

The FoodTech 500 is the world's first global ranking of agri-foodtech startups and scaleups, now in its eighth edition. Applications for the 2026 list close on 15 November 2026 at 23:59 Central European Time, the run is free for every company, and the 2025 winners came from more than 95 countries, so a founder in Nigeria or anywhere in Africa competes on the same open field as everyone else.

Eligibility: Food tech or agri-foodtech startups and scaleups, from early stage to more established businesses, operating anywhere across the food supply chain

Deadline

November 15, 2026

Location

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya

Funding or benefit

There is no cash prize. The FoodTech 500 awards global visibility, a place on the ranked list and in the official White Paper, access to a 22,000 plus contact industry network, and event opportunities. Applying is free of charge.

Blaze by Ecobank

InnovateX 2026: A ₦20 Million Innovation Challenge for Young Nigerians

Blaze by Ecobank has opened InnovateX 2026, a nationwide innovation challenge offering ₦20 million in prizes to young Nigerians with technology, business and creative ideas. Teams of four from tertiary institutions across Nigeria move through screening, mentorship, bootcamps and regional selection before the final pitch.

Eligibility: Nigerian citizen

Deadline

October 30, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

A total prize pool of ₦20 million is shared across winning teams at the finale on 30 October 2026.

Pro Helvetia, the Swiss Arts Council

Pro Helvetia Residency in Switzerland 2027 for Artists and Cultural Practitioners from Africa and Other Regions

Pro Helvetia funds residencies of up to three months at a partner institution in Switzerland for artists and cultural practitioners who live in one of its liaison office regions, which covers West, Central, East and Southern Africa among other areas. Accommodation, travel and daily allowances are covered, and applications open on 1 January each year with a deadline of 1 March at 23:59 Central European Time.

Eligibility: Artists and cultural practitioners with permanent residence in one of Pro Helvetia's liaison office regions and active participation in that cultural scene

Deadline

March 1, 2027

Location

Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya

Funding or benefit

Pro Helvetia covers accommodation, travel costs and daily allowances for a residency of up to three months, plus a coach from the local artistic field, and can add a workstation and a contribution towards production or material costs on request. Applicants with childcare responsibilities can request up to 1,000 CHF per month towards childcare or the travel costs of their children and, where necessary, a carer.

Cloneshouse Foundation

Cloneshouse Internship Programme 2027 for Young MEL Professionals in Africa

The Cloneshouse Internship Programme 2027 is a fully remote, seven month professional development internship in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for young and emerging professionals across sixteen African countries. Fifteen interns will train through structured courses, mentorship and real development assignments, with applications closing on 6 November 2026.

Eligibility: Young and emerging professionals based in Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde, Côte d'Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone or Togo

Deadline

November 6, 2026

Location

Benin, Burkina Faso, Cabo Verde

Funding or benefit

Unpaid internship. Interns attached to certain projects may receive a stipend at the discretion of project teams. Per diems and travel expenses are provided where an intern travels for a Cloneshouse project. No application fee is stated.

My Little Big Thing (MK-Africa with Cambridge ISL)

My Little Big Thing Sustainability Challenge 2026/2027, 10th Anniversary Edition

A free three-month sustainability innovation challenge for young African innovators, closing with a Demo Day at Strathmore University in front of investors.

Eligibility: Anyone aged 18 to 35 living anywhere in Africa

Deadline

November 30, 2026

Location

Kenya, Nigeria, Ghana

Funding or benefit

Entry is free and no cash prize amount is published. Support includes 12 months of one to one mentorship for the Top 15 and a sponsored Cambridge ISL sustainability course for the Top 3. An optional verified certificate costs $20.

Free for founders and small businesses

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Nigeria Youth Futures Fund (NYFF)

Youth Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Civic Leadership Program, University of Nigeria, Nsukka

A three month civic leadership and entrepreneurship program for UNN students, supported by the Nigeria Youth Futures Fund, with a ₦300,000 micro-grant pathway for outstanding participants.

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

A ₦300,000 micro-grant opportunity for outstanding participants to support promising ideas and initiatives

African Women in Agricultural Research and Development (AWARD)

AWARD Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship 2027, Cohort 2

AWARD has opened the call for the second cohort of its Women in Agriculture Leadership Program Fellowship, a two year non-residential fellowship that builds the capability, confidence and influence of mid-career African women agricultural scientists. Applications close on November 06, 2026 at 23:59 East Africa Time.

Eligibility: Be a woman working in science and agriculture

Deadline

November 6, 2026

Location

Egypt, Morocco, Ghana

Funding or benefit

A two year non-residential fellowship delivered by AWARD under the Africa-Australia Partnership for Climate Responsive Agriculture, funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research in collaboration with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

Prince Casper Foundation

Prince Casper Impact Grant 2026/2027

An education grant giving ₦6 million to 26 teachers and educators working in underserved Nigerian communities, awarded across three tiers, with the application window open until 6 November 2026.

Eligibility: Actively involved in the education sector in Nigeria

Deadline

November 6, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

A total of ₦6 million across 26 grantees in three tiers: ₦500,000 (Flagship, 7 grantees), ₦200,000 (Growth, 6 grantees) and ₦100,000 (Seed, 13 grantees).

Bank of Industry with the Akwa Ibom State Government

AKSG Bank of Industry MSME Loan Programme 2026: Up to N100 Million for Businesses in Akwa Ibom State

A N4 billion loan facility for micro, small and medium enterprises headquartered in Akwa Ibom State. Micro businesses can borrow up to N10 million and small or medium businesses up to N100 million, on single digit interest rates.

Eligibility: You must own a micro, small or medium enterprise

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

A N4 billion fund. Micro enterprises borrow up to N10 million. Small and medium enterprises borrow N10 million to N100 million. Term loans at 7.5 per annum over three to five years, working capital at 8.5 per annum for up to three years.

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She Plus Tech

She Plus Tech and DataCamp Donates AI and Data Scholarships

Fully funded 3-month DataCamp scholarships in AI and data for women 16 and older, cohort starting 7 October 2026.

Eligibility: Identify as a woman and be 16 years or older

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

a 3-month fully-funded DataCamp scholarship: 750+ beginner to advanced courses in AI and data, 100+ custom learning tracks including AI Engineering, MLOps and ML Engineering, industry-backed credentials from organisations including AWS, Microsoft and GitHub, AI-powered interactive learning, expert webinars and a global learning community; the partnership goal is 10,000 women with AI and data skills by end of 2027

D-Prize

D-Prize Global Competition 2026: Up to US$20,000 to Launch an Organization Distributing Proven Poverty Solutions

A global competition that gives up to US$20,000 in seed funding to first-time founders building organizations that deliver proven, evidence-based poverty solutions to underserved communities. The 2026 round runs from 14 September 2026 with submission deadlines on 25 October, 15 November and 6 December 2026.

Eligibility: Open to applicants worldwide, including individuals and founding teams

Deadline

November 15, 2026

Location

Global, Kenya, Nigeria

Funding or benefit

Up to US$20,000 in seed funding to launch a new organization that distributes a proven poverty solution. The award can support initial programme implementation, team costs, early operations and pilot activities, and awardees spend the following months piloting their distribution idea and building the organization.

Enzzyme Capital Partners

Enzzyme Creative Network Equity Investment

Enzzyme Creative Network offers US$50,000 to US$1.5 million in equity investment for founder led creative and technology enabled businesses focused on Nigeria's creative economy. It targets ventures from pre seed to Series A that can scale creative output through technology or platforms.

Eligibility: Be a founder, co founder or CEO of a creative or technology enabled business operating in or focused on Nigeria's creative economy

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

Equity investment tickets range from US$50,000 to US$1.5 million per business, covering pre seed to Series A. This is equity investment, not grant funding. Final terms are subject to Enzzyme's investment review and documentation.