Grants and opportunities for your next phase

Alliance for Food Sovereignty in Africa (AFSA)

AFSA African Food Baskets Country Researchers 2026

AFSA is selecting 10 African Country Researchers to document the foods, dishes, beverages, recipes, food sources, menus, stories, proverbs and cultural knowledge that shape each participating country’s food heritage. Each selected researcher will receive US$1,000 facilitation for the short term assignment.

Eligibility: Be a qualified African researcher who is a national or resident and actively working in the country they apply to document

Deadline

September 6, 2026

Location

African countries

Funding or benefit

US$1,000 facilitation per selected researcher, paid after the complete country data package is submitted and accepted by AFSA. It is intended to cover the researcher’s time, local travel, communication and community engagement costs.

National Agency for Science and Engineering Infrastructure (NASENI)

NASENI Xceler8 Accelerator Programme

A three month virtual accelerator for Nigerian post MVP innovators with a working product, offering up to $25,000 in programme support, mentorship, product development assistance and investor access.

Eligibility: Be a Nigerian citizen aged 15 to 40 and currently reside in Nigeria.

Deadline

September 30, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

Up to USD 25,000 in programme support, alongside training, product development assistance, mentorship and investor access.

UNDP Nigeria and Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation and UNDP Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme Cohort 2

Cohort 2 of the Young Africa Innovates programme is now open. A UNDP and Mastercard Foundation partnership supporting young Nigerian innovators to incubate and scale youth led solutions driving inclusive socio economic development.

Eligibility: Young Nigerian with a youth led innovative solution in one of the focus sectors

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

Incubation, mentorship, capacity building and showcase support under the USD 25.8 million UNDP Mastercard Foundation partnership, pathway to scale youth led innovations

Digital Entrepreneurship

Call For Applications: Digital Entrepreneurship Training and Business Support Programme for Women and Girls in Northern Nigeria

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) is inviting applications from eligible women and girls in Kano and Bauchi for its Digital Entrepreneurship Training and Business Support Programme. The programme is designed to address the gender digital divide and expand business opportunities for women and girls in Northern Nigeria by providing practical entrepreneurship and digital skills needed to start, strengthen, and grow sustainable businesses. What the Programme Offers Participants will receive training and support in: Advertisement Entrepreneurship and business development Financial literacy Digital marketing Business planning Innovation Mentorship Business growth strategies Who Can Apply? Applicants must: Be a woman or girl living in Kano or Bauchi Be between 18 and 35 years old Be digitally literate Have access to a smartphone or computer Have an existing business or a viable business idea Be available to complete the training Demonstrate commitment to growing a business Training Location Kano or Bauchi Training dates will be communicated to successful applicants. Selection Process Applicants will be selected based on: Eligibility requirements Commitment to p

Eligibility: eligible women and girls in Kano and Bauchi for its Digital Entrepreneurship Training and Business Support Programme

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

MORE HEALTH for Africa

Call For Applications: MORE HEALTH for Africa Program (MH4A) Cohort 3 | Up to €80,000 in Funding for Healthcare Innovation in Africa

Applications are open for the MORE HEALTH for Africa Program (MH4A) Cohort 3 , an opportunity for African social enterprises developing solutions that address healthcare gaps and improve access to quality healthcare across the continent. The programme is a partnership between Boehringer Ingelheim and Villgro Africa and combines business support, expert mentorship, and catalytic funding to help high-impact healthcare ventures scale their solutions. Funding and Programme Benefits Selected social enterprises can receive: Up to €80,000 in catalytic funding Tailored business support Expert mentorship and coaching Support to strengthen business models and operations Access to relevant partners and investors Support to scale healthcare solutions and expand their impact. The programme is structured around incubation and acceleration , giving selected enterprises support as they move towards sustainable growth and greater healthcare impact. Who Can Apply? The programme is designed for African social entrepreneurs and healthcare enterprises working to address health disparities and improve access to healthcare, particularly for underserved communities. Strong applicants are expected to demon

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding and Programme Benefits Selected social enterprises can receive: Up to €80,000 in catalytic funding Tailored business support Expert mentorship and coaching S

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Smart Africa & FAO Innovate Africa

Call for Applications: Smart Africa & FAO Innovate Africa Challenge 2026 ($ 50,000 Funding)

Applications are now open for the 3rd Edition of the Smart Africa & FAO Innovate Africa Challenge 2026 , launched under the theme “From Ideation to Deployment.” The challenge, organized by Smart Africa in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), seeks proven and scalable Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions that can address Africa’s agricultural and climate challenges. The programme places particular emphasis on Climate-Smart Agriculture , supporting innovations that can move beyond pilot stages into real-world deployment and deliver measurable benefits for farmers. Who Can Apply? Applicants must: Advertisement Be a legally incorporated or registered for-profit business. Operate in one of the 39 eligible Smart Africa member countries. Have been operational for at least six months. Have an AI-enabled solution. Address a climate-related challenge. Be willing to deploy the solution in at least one designated focus country. Eligible countries include Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Senegal, Cameroon, Malawi, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, among others. Focus Areas The challenge welcomes

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

August 31, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding & Programme Benefits The winning solution will receive a USD 50,000 service contract to support implementation and deployment

Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment

Call for Applications: Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment Fund (AATIF)

The Africa Agriculture and Trade Investment Fund (AATIF) is inviting eligible companies, agribusinesses, and financial institutions across Africa to submit agricultural investment opportunities for consideration. AATIF provides investment financing tailored to eligible projects, with the goal of strengthening Africa’s agricultural sector, supporting sustainable value chains, and improving access to finance within the agricultural ecosystem. Who Can Apply? The investment opportunity is open to three main categories: 1. Direct Investee Companies Advertisement Companies or projects directly involved in agriculture in one or more African countries, including: Farming Agricultural inputs Food processing Agricultural sales and trading Other agricultural businesses 2. Intermediary Investee Companies Large agribusinesses that operate as: Off-takers Service providers Credit providers to smallholder farmers Financing partners for local agricultural SMEs 3. Financial Institutions Eligible institutions providing financing to Africa’s agricultural sector, including: Commercial banks Microfinance institutions Savings and credit cooperatives Other agricultural finance institutions Investment Area

Eligibility: eligible companies, agribusinesses, and financial institutions across Africa to submit agricultural investment opportunities for consideration

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

WIPO Scale Up Your IP Online

Call For Applications: WIPO Scale Up Your IP Online Programme for Women Innovators 2026

Applications are open for the WIPO Scale Up Your IP Online Programme for Women Innovators 2026 , a free online capacity-building programme designed to help women founders, researchers, inventors, and entrepreneurs commercialise deep-tech innovations and prepare their ventures for growth and investment. The programme is organised by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and focuses on helping women innovators use intellectual property (IP) strategically as they move research-based technologies from development to the market. Programme Benefits Selected participants will receive: Free online training One introductory session on intellectual property rights Five interactive training sessions led by IP and business experts Practical templates and tools for IP commercialisation Factsheets and resources for developing an IP commercialisation strategy Networking opportunities with peers, partners, and investors An opportunity to pitch their ventures to investors at the final event A certificate of participation for participants who complete all sessions. Who Can Apply? The programme is designed for women who are: Founders, co-founders, inventors, or lead innovators Developin

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

August 30, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

WomHub Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital

Call For Applications: WomHub Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme 2026

Applications are open for the Accelerating African Female Founders to Capital Programme , a growth and investment-readiness programme supporting women entrepreneurs in Southern Africa who are building innovative businesses in Science, Technology, Engineering and Manufacturing (STEM) . The programme is powered by WomHub and supported by the AfricaGrow Technical Assistance Facility, KfW DEG Impact and BMZ . It is designed to help women-led businesses strengthen their operations, prepare for investment, and position themselves for sustainable growth. Programme Benefits Selected founders will gain access to: Expert mentorship Business diagnostics Investment-readiness support Growth and business development guidance Networking opportunities A structured pathway towards potential catalytic funding Support to position their businesses for sustainable scaling. Who Can Apply? The programme is designed for women entrepreneurs in Southern Africa who are: Building businesses in STEM-related sectors Developing innovative products or services Looking to grow and scale their ventures Preparing to become investment-ready Seeking stronger networks, business support and access to capital. Applicants

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

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FAO Green Cities

Call For Applications: FAO Green Cities Network 2026

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is inviting cities and urban stakeholders to join the FAO Green Cities Network, a global initiative focused on creating greener, healthier and more sustainable urban and peri-urban environments. The network brings cities together to develop and share sustainable solutions that deliver economic, social and environmental benefits. More than 300 cities are already benefiting from the initiative, which aims to support improvements for people and the environment in 1,000 cities by 2030. What the FAO Green Cities Network Focuses On The initiative promotes action across key areas, including: Urban and peri-urban forestry Urban and peri-urban agriculture Biodiversity and environmental sustainability Climate action and resilience Sustainable urban development Through the network, participating cities can access opportunities to connect and collaborate with cities around the world, exchange knowledge and successful urban solutions, and promote greener and healthier communities. The initiative also supports progress towards key Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-Being, Sustainable Cities

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

NANSInnovate

Call for Applications: NANSInnovate Competition 2026 for Nigerian Student Entrepreneurs

The National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) has opened applications for the 2026 edition of its innovation and entrepreneurship competition, NANSInnovate 2026 . The initiative is designed to support Nigerian students with innovative business ideas and existing ventures by providing access to funding opportunities, investors, industry experts and business leaders. Announcing the opening of applications, NANS National President, Comrade Akinteye Afeez, popularly known as BABTEE, encouraged students across the country to participate in the competition. According to him, the initiative was created to address the challenges faced by young Nigerians whose innovative ideas often struggle to move beyond the classroom due to limited access to funding, mentorship and business opportunities. Advertisement “Across our campuses are brilliant young Nigerians with ideas that can solve problems, create jobs and build successful businesses. Unfortunately, many of these ideas never go beyond the classroom because of limited opportunities and access to funding,” Afeez said. He explained that NANSInnovate 2026 would provide a national platform for student entrepreneurs to showcase their ideas

Eligibility: eligible Nigerian students nationwide, including those with promising business ideas as well as students already running existing ventures

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

ATCMA–ECCAS 2026 – EU-Funded Opportunity for Timber, Cocoa and Cassava SMEs in Central Africa

Call For Applications: ATCMA–ECCAS 2026 – EU-Funded Opportunity for Timber, Cocoa and Cassava SMEs in Central Africa

Applications are now open for the Africa Trade Competitiveness and Market Access Programme (ATCMA–ECCAS) , an EU-funded initiative supporting businesses operating in the timber, cocoa, and cassava value chains across Central Africa. Implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in partnership with the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS) , the programme aims to strengthen the competitiveness of SMEs and improve their access to regional and international markets. Programme Benefits Selected businesses may receive technical support, including: Support with quality assurance and certification Assistance on traceability and sustainable production practices Business assessments and modernization plans Support for digitalisation and process improvement Technical training and coaching Export development support Opportunities to participate in trade fairs, exhibitions, and business matchmaking events. Who Can Apply? The call targets organizations operating within the timber, cocoa, and cassava value chains , including: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) Producers Processors Exporters Cooperative

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

August 7, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies