Are you an agritech startup in Africa? Apply for the UNDP Pan-African Incubation Programme for Agritech Startups by 27 April 2026.
Are you an agritech startup in Africa? Apply for the UNDP Pan-African Incubation Programme for Agritech Startups by 27 April 2026.
Applications are open for the Pan-African Incubation Programme for Agritech Startups, an initiative led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with partners to support innovation in Africa’s agricultural sector. The programme is inviting applications from early-stage agritech startups leveraging technology to improve food systems, strengthen value chains, and drive sustainable agricultural development across the continent.
The Pan-African Incubation Programme is designed to support high-potential agritech startups through capacity building, mentorship, and access to networks that can help scale their solutions. The initiative focuses on fostering innovation that enhances productivity, resilience, and food security in Africa.
Through the programme, selected startups will benefit from the following:
- Tailored incubation support to strengthen business models and operational capacity
- Access to expert mentorship and technical guidance in agritech and innovation
- Capacity-building sessions focused on scaling, investment readiness, and market expansion
- Opportunities to connect with industry stakeholders, partners, and investors
- Increased visibility within regional and pan-African innovation ecosystems
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be an agritech startup operating within Africa
- Offer innovative solutions addressing challenges in agriculture or food systems
- Be at an early or growth stage with a functional product or service
- Demonstrate potential for scalability and impact across agricultural value chains
- Be committed to participating fully in the incubation programme
To apply for the Pan-African Incubation Programme for Agritech Startups, visit the official application page here.
Are you a young innovator in Africa with a bold idea? Apply for the Ignite Challenge 4.0 April 4, 2026
Are you a young innovator in Africa with a bold idea? Apply for the Ignite Challenge 4.0
Applications are open for the Ignite Challenge 4.0, an initiative by Impact Hub Kigali designed to support young innovators and entrepreneurs working on impactful solutions to pressing social and economic challenges. The programme is inviting applications from early-stage founders and teams with innovative ideas that have the potential to drive sustainable development and create meaningful change in their communities.
The Ignite Challenge is a competitive innovation programme aimed at identifying, supporting, and accelerating high-potential ideas through mentorship, training, and access to resources. It focuses on empowering youth-led ventures with the skills and networks needed to transform ideas into viable and scalable solutions.
Through the programme, selected participants will benefit from the following:
- Structured training and capacity-building sessions to refine ideas and business models
- Access to mentorship from experienced entrepreneurs and industry experts
- Opportunities to pitch ideas and gain exposure to potential partners and investors
- Access to a supportive innovation ecosystem and peer network
- Potential funding or support to further develop and scale selected solutions
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a young innovator or entrepreneur with an early-stage idea or startup
- Be based in Africa or operating within an African context
- Present an innovative solution addressing social, economic, or environmental challenges
- Demonstrate commitment to developing and scaling the proposed idea
- Be available to participate fully in programme activities
To apply for the Ignite Challenge 4.0, visit the official application page here.
Are you an African startup building innovative technology solutions? Apply for the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme before 18 March 2026.
Are you an African startup building innovative technology solutions? Apply for the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme before 18 March 2026.
Applications are open for the Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme. Google for Startups, Google’s initiative supporting early-stage entrepreneurs, is inviting applications from African technology startups using innovation to solve local and global challenges across the continent.
The Google for Startups Accelerator Africa is an equity-free, three-month accelerator programme designed to support promising startups through technical mentorship, business growth support, and access to Google’s global network. The programme focuses on helping founders scale their solutions and build sustainable, high-impact businesses.
Through the programme, selected startups will benefit from the following:
- Equity-free support and tailored mentorship from Google and industry experts
- Technical training and product support, including guidance on engineering, UX, and cloud solutions
- Access to Google tools, resources, and product credits to support startup growth
- Strategic support on business development, leadership, and scaling operations
- Connection to a global network of founders, investors, and partners
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Be a technology-focused startup using innovation to address a real-world problem
- Be based in Africa and primarily serve African or global markets
- Have an MVP or early-stage product with demonstrated traction
- Have at least one founder of African descent
- Be committed to participating fully in the duration of the accelerator programme
To apply, visit the official application page at Google for Startups Accelerator Africa programme Applications.
Are you driving innovation at the intersection of science, technology, and the arts? Apply for the STARTS Prize before 4 March 2026
Are you driving innovation at the intersection of science, technology, and the arts? Apply for the STARTS Prize before 4 March 2026
Applications are open for the STARTS Prize 2026, an initiative of the European Commission that recognises and rewards innovative projects at the intersection of Science, Technology, and the Arts (STARTS). The programme invites artists, technologists, researchers, and interdisciplinary teams from around the world to submit groundbreaking projects that demonstrate how artistic exploration can shape technological and societal innovation.
The STARTS Prize is a flagship European award designed to highlight visionary collaborations and artistic works that contribute to sustainable, human-centred, and socially relevant technological development. Selected projects gain international visibility and are showcased across major European platforms and networks.
Through the prize, selected participants will benefit from the following:
- International recognition through a prestigious European Commission–backed award
- Monetary prizes awarded to outstanding projects and collaborations
- Exhibition and showcase opportunities at leading European events and institutions
- Increased visibility among policymakers, industry leaders, researchers, and cultural organisations
- Inclusion in the broader STARTS ecosystem supporting art–technology innovation
Interested applicants are required to meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Submit a project operating at the intersection of science, technology, and the arts
- Be an individual, collective, or organisation from any country worldwide
- Present original work that demonstrates innovation, creativity, and societal relevance
- Projects may be artistic works, interdisciplinary collaborations, or applied innovations
- Submissions must align with the values of responsible, ethical, and sustainable innovation
To apply for the STARTS Prize 2026, visit the official application page at https://starts.eu/opportunities/starts-prize-2026/.
Are you an early-stage startup with a scalable business idea? Apply for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme by 1 March 2026
Are you an early-stage startup with a scalable business idea? Apply for the Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme by 1 March 2026
Applications are now open for the Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme 2026. The Tony Elumelu Foundation, a leading African private-sector-led philanthropic organisation empowering young African entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries, is inviting applications from innovators and early-stage founders with growth-oriented business ideas or existing startups.
The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is a flagship initiative designed to identify, train, mentor, and fund African entrepreneurs. Successful applicants will benefit from a structured business training curriculum, seed funding, mentorship, and expanded professional networks.
Through the programme, successful applicants will be offered the following:
- World-class business management training delivered over a structured curriculum
- Non-refundable seed capital of up to USD 5,000
- One-on-one mentorship
- Access to key networks and market opportunities across Africa and globally
- Participation in the TEFConnect proprietary digital platform for business support and community engagement
Interested applicants are required to fulfil the following eligibility requirements:
- Have a scalable business idea or an early-stage company (typically 0–5 years old) operating in any sector
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Applications must focus on one business entity or idea only
- Businesses must be located in and primarily serve African markets
- Business activities must not adversely affect the environment, lives, or property
- Business ideas must be the original work of those making the submission
To apply for the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme 2026, visit the official programme application portal on TEFConnect.
Are you an early-stage startup using frontier technologies for social impact? Apply for the UNICEF Venture Fund StartUp Lab Cohort 6 by 20 February 2026
Are you an early-stage startup using frontier technologies for social impact? Apply for the UNICEF Venture Fund StartUp Lab Cohort 6 by 20 February 2026
Applications are now open for the 2026 UNICEF Venture Fund StartUp Lab Cohort 6. The UNICEF Venture Fund, a programme of the United Nations Children’s Fund, is seeking technology-driven startups that utilise frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence, data science, blockchain, and other digital innovations to address real-world social challenges.
The StartUp Lab accelerator aims to identify, mentor, and support startups that demonstrate bold, scalable solutions with measurable social impact, particularly in areas aligned with UNICEF’s mission and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Through the programme, successful applicants will be offered the following:
- Direct engagement with UNICEF programme experts across key sectors
- Industry-led training, mentorship, and hands-on technical support
- Access to UNICEF’s global network of country offices and strategic partners
- Opportunities to engage with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) Ghana
- Up to USD 6,000 in prototyping funding
- USD 15,000 scale-up funding for the top three performing startups
- Guidance on aligning products with the SDGs and contributing to the digital public goods ecosystem
Interested applicants are required to fulfil the following eligibility requirements:
- Be an early-stage startup, ideally with a functional prototype
- Be based in and serving low- and middle-income countries
- Demonstrate a commitment to open-source principles
- Develop solutions addressing one or more of the following areas:
- Urban technology
- Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH)
- Child protection
- Education
- Healthcare
- Climate resilience
- Financial inclusion
To apply for the UNICEF Venture Fund StartUp Lab Cohort 6, visit the official programme application portal.
Accelerate X Fuze Challenge
Are you a tech-startup founder in East Africa with a solution in transport, logistics or mobility? Apply for the Accelerate X Fuze Challenge before 21 November 2025
The Accelerate X Fuzé Challenge is a partnership initiative between Digital Africa, the Yiri (AGL) Group and other ecosystem partners. It targets innovative start-ups from East Africa, including Rwanda, in transport and logistics. Success applicants will have the chance to pitch in Kigali and gain access to a six-month acceleration programme.
Selected participants will have the opportunity to pitch live in Kigali and be part of a top cohort of startups. The Challenge offers access to the Fuzé investment scheme through Digital Africa, which provides pre-seed funding tickets of up to €100,000 tailored for African tech start-ups. Participants will also join a six-month acceleration programme designed to help them scale operations and connect with mentors, investors and other partners.
Eligible applicants include startups founded by at least one African national and operating in or serving East Africa. Businesses should have a technology-oriented model, ideally in the mobility, transport or logistics sectors. Applicants are expected to have a minimum viable product or early traction in the market.
Interested startups can apply by submitting their profile here.
Are you a young entrepreneur or woman-led business in Rwanda looking to grow through training, access to financing and markets? Apply for the Kataza Programme from the African Management Institute.
Are you a young entrepreneur or woman-led business in Rwanda looking to grow through training, access to financing and markets? Apply for the Kataza Programme from the African Management Institute.
Kataza programme is run by a consortium led by African Management Institute (AMI), in partnership with the Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD), the Mastercard Foundation and other organisations. This initiative targets financially excluded youth-led businesses, especially those led by women, in 15 districts of Rwanda, with a particular focus on the agriculture, tourism and hospitality sectors. It offers access to affordable financing, real-time business advisory services, and supports businesses to scale and create meaningful employment opportunities.
Participants benefit from practical business training, coaching and financial literacy development. The programme also provides support for market expansion, networking, and building business growth strategies. Businesses can access tailored loan products through partner financial institutions designed to overcome typical financial barriers faced by young and women-led MSMEs. Additional digital and in-person support includes linkages to suppliers, markets and institutions.
Eligible applicants include youth-led MSMEs, typically aged 18–35, with a strong focus on women-owned businesses. The programme also targets businesses that are financially excluded or disadvantaged, including those run by persons with disabilities and refugees. MSMEs should be operating in agriculture, tourism, hospitality or adjacent sectors and be located within one of the 15 selected districts in Rwanda.
To participate in Kataza or learn more about how to benefit or partner, contact AMI Rwanda at kataza@africanmanagers.com.
Are you a woman entrepreneur looking to grow your business with affordable, long-term financing? Apply for the Shabuka Financing Program.
Are you a woman entrepreneur looking to grow your business with affordable, long-term financing?
The Development Bank of Rwanda (BRD) has launched “Shabuka”, a new financing initiative designed to make access to credit easier for women-led and women-owned enterprises.
“Shabuka,” meaning Be Proactive, provides low-interest loans and flexible collateral terms to empower women in business. The program aims to increase women’s access to finance from 15% to 30% of BRD’s lending portfolio by 2028. In addition to loans, it offers business mentorship and capacity-building support to help entrepreneurs strengthen their management and financial skills.
The program includes the following features and benefits
- Affordable rates: Annual interest rate of 12%, significantly lower than the market average of 17%.
- Flexible repayment: Loan terms of up to 10 years, giving businesses room to grow sustainably.
- Reduced collateral: Only 15% collateral required, which can include the value of the funded project itself.
- Loan amount: Between Rwf 100 million and Rwf 2 billion, depending on project size and potential.
- Non-financial support: Business training, mentorship, and advisory services included.
To qualify for the Shabuka financing program, businesses must the following criteria:
- Be at least 40% owned or led by women.
- Operate in one of BRD’s priority sectors, including agriculture, manufacturing, exports, energy, housing, education, transport, ICT, and the digital economy.
- Have an existing or projected annual turnover of at least Rwf 5 billion.
- Demonstrate a focus on growth, sustainability, and socio-economic impact.
- Businesses with other active loans are still eligible to apply, as Shabuka is intended to help expansion, not debt refinancing.
Interested entrepreneurs can apply by sending their applications to shabuka@brd.rw.
The program is part of BRD’s ongoing commitment to support inclusive economic growth by enabling more women to access the financing they need to scale their enterprises.
Are you an entrepreneur with an innovative idea that aligns with one of the UN's SDGs? Apply for mentorship from the SDG Innovation Accelerator before 31 January 2026.
Are you an entrepreneur with an innovative idea that aligns with one of the UN’s SDGs? Apply for mentorship from the SDG Innovation Accelerator before 31 January 2026.
The United Nations Global Compact invites applicants to the SDG Innovation Accelerator, a transformative program designed to empower and support young professionals driving sustainable development and innovation. The primary goal of the SDG Innovation Accelerator is to foster innovative solutions that contribute to achieving the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Successful applicants will benefit from the following:
Participant benefits:
- Engage in accelerated learning opportunities including online and in-person workshops, case studies, company visits and forum discussions.
- Collaborate with other businesses on innovative projects tailored to your company and industry.
- Build valuable relationships through coaching, mentoring and peer-to-peer networking.
- Gain insights from leading experts in sustainability and innovation from around the world.
- Join a global network of talented young professionals from top companies across every continent.
Company benefits:
- Apply SDG innovation to address real sustainability challenges your company is currently facing.
- Embed the SDGs into your company’s business strategy through collaboration, innovation and knowledge sharing.
- Enhance employee engagement and create professional development opportunities.
- Access a network of experts from some of the world’s leading companies.
- Receive global recognition for your company’s participation in the programme.
Interested applicants must meet the following criteria to apply:
- High performing professionals at participating companies of the UN Global Compact
- Must be 35 years or younger
- Have an interest in business model innovation, sustainability and disruptive technologies
- Be willing to dedicate a minimum of 4 hors a month to the Accelerator Learning Plan and attend aleast four 1-day workshop
To apply for the program, visit Applications.