Grants and opportunities for your next phase

Federal Government SMEDAN Cluster Development Support (CDS)

Call for Applications: Federal Government SMEDAN Cluster Development Support (CDS) Programme for MSMEs

The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), has opened applications for the Cluster Development Support (CDS) Programme, an initiative aimed at strengthening Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) operating within business clusters across the country. The programme is designed to improve the productivity, competitiveness, and sustainability of businesses by providing access to shared infrastructure, business development services, financing opportunities, technology, and market support. Who Can Apply? Applications are open to: Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Businesses operating within clusters, associations, or cooperatives Entrepreneurs seeking structured business support to expand production Both formal and informal businesses across Nigeria Examples of eligible clusters include: Tailoring and fashion hubs Agro-processing clusters Leatherworks Metal fabrication Other industry-based business clusters Programme Benefits Successful applicants will receive: Business advisory services and mentorship Capacity-building and entrepreneurship training Access to funding and financing opportunities Sha

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

UNESCO-UNEVOC Skills in Action Photo

Call For Applications: UNESCO-UNEVOC Skills in Action Photo Competition 2026 Offers Up to $750 for Showcasing the Power of TVET

Photographers around the world can compete for up to USD 750 by capturing how technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is helping young people build skills, access opportunities and prepare for the future. The UNESCO-UNEVOC Skills in Action Photo Competition 2026 is open to amateur and professional photographers aged 18 and above. The competition invites participants to showcase the real-world impact of skills development through compelling photography. The deadline for submissions is 31 August 2026 . ( UNEVOC ) What Is the UNESCO-UNEVOC Skills in Action Photo Competition? The annual competition is organised by the UNESCO-UNEVOC International Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training. This year’s competition focuses on the role of TVET in supporting innovation, inclusion, sustainability and youth employment . Participants are encouraged to capture authentic moments showing how young people are gaining practical skills and preparing for changing economies and labour markets. Advertisement For photographers across Africa, this creates an opportunity to spotlight stories that are often overlooked: young people learning technical trades, women entering tr

Eligibility: Eligible photographers can review the official competition guidelines and submit their entries through the UNESCO-UNEVOC competition page

Deadline

August 31, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

up to USD 750 by capturing how technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is help

Geneith Health

Call For Applications: Geneith Health Competition Offers Over ₦1 Billion in Cash Prizes and Educational Support to Nigerian Students

Students across Nigeria have an opportunity to compete for a share of more than ₦1 billion in cash prizes and educational support through the Geneith Health Competition, an initiative designed to combine health education with a nationwide student competition. The competition focuses on one of Nigeria’s most persistent public health challenges: malaria . Beyond the financial rewards, it gives young Nigerians an opportunity to build health awareness, share knowledge within their communities and become ambassadors for malaria prevention. Organised as an initiative of CEOAfrica, sponsored by Geneith Pharmaceuticals Limited and powered by Coatal Forte Softgel, the competition is open across three educational categories: Junior Secondary School (JSS), Senior Secondary School (SSS) and tertiary students . ( geneithhealthcompetition.com ) What the Geneith Health Competition Offers The competition is structured across state, regional and national levels , allowing participants to progress through different stages of the challenge. Advertisement At the state level, participants can compete for prizes of up to ₦2.5 million , while the regional stage offers rewards of up to ₦5 million . At the

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

prizes of up to ₦2.5 million , while the regional stage offers rewards of up to ₦5 million

DBN

Call For Applications: DBN Academy Entrepreneurship Training Programme – Cohort 2

fApplications are now open for Cohort 2 of the DBN Academy Entrepreneurship Training Programme 2026 , a flagship capacity-building initiative by the Development Bank of Nigeria (DBN) designed to equip Nigerian MSMEs with practical business skills, financial management knowledge, and access-to-finance readiness. Delivered through the DBN Academy (BizAid) learning platform, the programme combines free self-paced online courses with in-person workshops and a business pitch competition , giving top-performing entrepreneurs the opportunity to access grant funding and expert business support. Programme Benefits Successful participants will receive: Free access to self-paced entrepreneurship courses Practical business management and financial literacy training Digital certificates upon successful course completion Opportunity to attend exclusive in-person workshops Mentorship from experienced business experts Business plan refinement and investor-readiness support Opportunity to pitch for grant funding Access to the DBN entrepreneur network. Who Can Apply? The programme is open to: Nigerian entrepreneurs and aspiring entrepreneurs Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across all se

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

grant funding Access to the DBN entrepreneur network

African Union

Call For Applications: African Union Internship Programme – Communication, Digital Communication, and Digital Fields

Applications are now open for the African Union (AU) Internship Programme – Communication, Digital Communication, and Digital Fields , offering young Africans an opportunity to gain practical experience while supporting the work of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in Ghana. The internship is designed for students and recent graduates interested in communications, digital media, and related digital disciplines. Selected interns will work alongside experienced professionals, contributing to strategic communication initiatives, digital content creation, and stakeholder engagement within one of Africa’s most significant continental institutions. Programme Benefits Successful applicants will receive: Hands-on professional experience within the African Union system Exposure to the operations of the AfCFTA Secretariat Practical experience in communication and digital media projects Mentorship from experienced professionals Opportunities to build professional networks across Africa Enhanced skills in communication, digital engagement, and international development. Who Can Apply? Applicants should: Be nationals of an African Union Member State Be enrolled in a r

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

August 7, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

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HerSkills Mentorship

Call for Applications: HerSkills Mentorship Programme 2026 for Women

Applications are now open for the HerSkills Mentorship Programme 2026 , a six-month transformative programme designed to equip young women with life skills, vocational training, business development knowledge, and career readiness support. The programme is designed to help participants build confidence, gain practical in-demand skills, prepare for employment, and develop entrepreneurial capabilities through mentorship and hands-on learning. Programme Focus Areas Participants will receive training in: Life Skills Vocational Skills Business Development Career Readiness What Participants Will Gain Successful applicants will benefit from: Personal growth and life skills development Practical vocational training Business and entrepreneurship support Career readiness and employability training One-on-one mentorship Access to an alumni network Certificate of completion Eligibility Criteria Applicants must: Be female-identifying individuals Be between 15 and 28 years old Reside in Ibadan or nearby communities Be motivated to learn and grow Have no prior vocational training experience (not required) Commit to attending at least 80% of programme sessions Programme Details Duration: 6 Months

Eligibility: Eligibility Criteria Applicants must: Be female-identifying individuals Be between 15 and 28 years old Reside in Ibadan or nearby communities Be motivated to learn and grow Have no prior vocational training experience (not required) Commit to attendin

Deadline

July 31, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

iF Social Impact

Call for Applications: iF Social Impact Prize 2026 (Up To €100,000 in Funding)

Applications are now open for the iF Social Impact Prize 2026 , an international initiative by iF Design that supports projects creating measurable social and environmental impact in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The prize recognizes innovative initiatives tackling global and community challenges through social innovation, sustainability, community development, and corporate responsibility. Each year, selected projects share a €100,000 funding pool while gaining international recognition and exposure through the iF Design platform. Focus Areas Projects should contribute to one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals, including: No Poverty Zero Hunger Good Health and Well-being Quality Education Gender Equality Clean Water and Sanitation Affordable and Clean Energy Decent Work and Economic Growth Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure Reduced Inequalities Sustainable Cities and Communities Responsible Consumption and Production Climate Action Life Below Water Life on Land Who Can Apply? Applications are open to: Companies NGOs Foundations Social enterprises Design studios Public sector organisations Entrepreneurs Please note: Student con

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Prize 2026 , an international initiative by iF Design that supports projects creating meas

African-Europe Youth

Call For Applications: African-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) New Leaders Lab 2026

Applications are now open for the African-Europe Youth Academy (AEYA) New Leaders Lab 2026 , a fully funded leadership development programme for young Africans who are passionate about creating positive change in their communities through entrepreneurship, civic engagement, and community leadership. Funded by the European Union and implemented by Expertise France in partnership with the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS) , the New Leaders Lab is designed to equip emerging leaders with practical skills, mentorship, and a continental network to strengthen their impact. Programme Benefits Selected participants will receive: Free participation in the New Leaders Lab Leadership and entrepreneurship training Practical workshops and interactive learning sessions Personalized mentorship and coaching Peer learning with young leaders from across Africa Access to the Africa-Europe Youth Academy alumni network Opportunities to strengthen community and social impact initiatives. Who Can Apply? Applicants must: Be 18–30 years old Reside in one of the eligible countries: Benin Burkina Faso Cameroon Republic of the Congo Côte d’Ivoire Democratic Republic of the Congo Ethiopia Guinea

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

July 19, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

UNDP Timbuktoo Launchpad

Call For Applications: UNDP Timbuktoo Launchpad Programme 2026 for African CreativeTech Entrepreneurs

Applications are now open for the UNDP Timbuktoo Launchpad Programme 2026 , a pan-African incubation programme designed to support CreativeTech startups building innovative, technology-enabled solutions for Africa’s creative economy. Delivered through the timbuktoo Creatives Hub hosted in South Africa , the programme is an initiative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) . It aims to help promising CreativeTech entrepreneurs scale their businesses through structured incubation, mentorship, investment readiness support, and access to a continent-wide innovation ecosystem. Programme Benefits Selected startups will receive: Structured incubation delivered by leading African incubators One-on-one mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts Access to the Seedstars SIGMA platform for startup development and AI-powered guidance Investment readiness training and pitch development support Opportunities to engage with investors and strategic partners Participation in demo days and ecosystem events across Africa Access to the pan-African timbuktoo Launchpad network of founders, incubators, and innovation partners Potential pathways to acceleration programmes an

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

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Google Africa Applied AI Lab

Call For Applications: Google Africa Applied AI Lab Program 2026 for African AI Entrepreneurs and Researchers

Applications are now open for the Google Africa Applied AI Lab Program 2026 , a new initiative by Google designed to support Africa’s most promising AI entrepreneurs, founders, and researchers in building next-generation AI solutions for the continent. Based at the Accra AI Community Centre (AICC) in Ghana, the programme serves as a commercialization platform that helps founders transform cutting-edge AI research into market-ready products. Participants will collaborate directly with Google experts, gain early access to Google’s latest AI models, and connect with leading venture capital firms for potential investment opportunities. Program Benefits Selected participants will receive: Early access to Google’s latest Gemini, Gemma, and Veo AI models Hands-on technical mentorship from Google Research and Google engineering teams Product development and commercialization support Go-to-market strategy guidance Mentorship from leading venture capital firms Opportunity to pitch at an exclusive Demo Day before Google, investors, and ecosystem partners Potential investment opportunities from the Google AI Futures Fund and participating VC firms Continued access to the Accra AI Community Cen

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

August 31, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

AFTS Alpha Expo Micro

Call For Applications: AFTS Alpha Expo Micro Accelerator & Pitch Competition 2026 for Early-Stage Fintech and Adjacent Startups in Africa

Applications are now open for the AFTS Alpha Expo Micro Accelerator & Pitch Competition 2026 , a flagship programme of the Africa Fintech Summit (AFTS) designed to support early-stage fintech and fintech-adjacent startups across Africa. The programme offers selected startups the opportunity to participate in a micro-accelerator, receive investor readiness training, showcase their innovations, and pitch live before leading investors, regulators, corporates, and ecosystem leaders during the Africa Fintech Summit Kigali 2026 in Rwanda. Programme Benefits Selected startups will receive: Opportunity to pitch live at the Africa Fintech Summit Kigali 2026 Access to a cash prize pool USD 25,000 in AWS cloud credits for each selected startup Investor readiness training and pitch coaching Masterclasses delivered by industry experts A complimentary exhibition booth at the summit Two complimentary delegate passes to the summit Direct access to venture capital firms, corporates, regulators, and strategic partners Increased visibility across Africa’s fintech ecosystem. Who Can Apply? Applications are open to: Early-stage fintech startups Fintech-adjacent startups Founders building innovative tec

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

July 15, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

prize pool USD 25,000 in AWS cloud credits for each selected startup Investor readiness training and

NDE Renewed Hope

Call for Applications: NDE Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) Phase 3 to Train Over 21,000 Nigerians

Applications are now open for the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) Renewed Hope Employment Initiative (RHEI) Phase 3, a nationwide programme designed to equip unemployed Nigerians with technical, vocational, entrepreneurial, agricultural, and digital skills for sustainable employment and economic empowerment. The fully funded initiative aims to train approximately 21,824 beneficiaries across Nigeria through practical skills acquisition programmes delivered at NDE training centres, accredited private vocational institutions, and state-owned training facilities across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Why It Matters The Renewed Hope Employment Initiative is one of Nigeria’s largest government-funded skills development programmes, designed to reduce unemployment by equipping young Nigerians with practical, market-relevant skills that support entrepreneurship, job creation, and economic growth. Training Areas Participants can receive training in: Advertisement • Vocational and Technical Skills • ICT and Digital Skills • Entrepreneurship Development • Agribusiness • Small Business Management Advertisement Under the Rural Employment Promotion (REP) programme,

Eligibility: Eligibility Criteria Applicants should: Advertisement • Be unemployed Nigerians interested in acquiring practical skills • Meet the age requirement for their selected programme (most agricultural programmes are open to applicants aged 18–50) • Possess

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies