Are you an entrepreneur working to restore degraded forests and farmland in Africa? Apply now for the AFR100 Land Accelerator Africa Project before 30 October 2025.
Are you an entrepreneur working to restore degraded forests and farmland in Africa? Apply now for the AFR100 Land Accelerator Africa Project before 30 October 2025.
The AFR100 Land Accelerator, led by AUDA-NEPAD in partnership with the World Resources Institute and Fledge, supports early- to growth-stage restoration entrepreneurs across Africa. The program is designed to equip entrepreneurs with technical training, mentorship, grants, and investor connections to scale land restoration businesses that benefit people and the planet.
The program combines financial and non-financial support, including a results-based grant, training, and networking opportunities. If your enterprise is committed to sustainable land restoration, the AFR100 Land Accelerator provides a strong platform to grow your impact.
Successful participants will receive the following benefits:
- A USD 5,000 innovation grant to support women and youth restoration entrepreneurs.
- Tailored mentorship and technical training, including weekly sessions and an in-person workshop.
- Access to a network of restoration entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem partners.
- Opportunities to showcase your business at the Impact Day event.
- Participation in a two-phase cohort program combining virtual and in-person learning.
- Increased visibility through AUDA-NEPAD and partner networks.
Interested applicants must fulfil the following criteria:
- Be an entrepreneur or enterprise focused on restoring degraded forests and/or farmland in Africa.
- Operate at early- to growth-stage with a viable, scalable business model.
- Demonstrate potential to benefit women and youth restoration entrepreneurs.
- Be able to commit to both the virtual and in-person phases of the program.
- Prepare and submit a business proposal with supporting documents as outlined in the call for proposals.
Interested entrepreneurs can submit their proposals directly through the AUDA-NEPAD website. Be ready to share details about your business model, traction, financials, and your vision for scaling land restoration solutions. Strong applications will clearly demonstrate both commercial viability and measurable environmental impact.
Apply here.
Are you a growth-stage fintech driving financial inclusion for women affected by migration? Apply now for SHIFT 2025 program before 1 October 2025.
Are you a growth-stage fintech driving financial inclusion for women affected by migration? Apply now for SHIFT 2025 program before 1 October 2025.
SHIFT (Scaling Holistic Inclusion in Fintech Transformation) is a program designed to support growth-stage fintechs and embedded fintech ventures operating in Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, or Asia who are serving or ready to pivot toward serving women affected by migration and other vulnerable groups.
The program combines financial and non-financial support: a results-based grant, tailored mentorship, investor access, and visibility. If your fintech is growing and committed to inclusive financial solutions, SHIFT provides a powerful platform to scale your impact.
Successful participants will receive the following benefits:
- A $10,000 results-based grant to support pilot or expansion of inclusive financial solutions.
- Tailored mentorship and expert support, including migration specialists and peer learning opportunities.
- Investor and partner access through a network of more than 500 ecosystem players.
- Use of the SIGMA platform to test business models, track growth, and measure impact.
- Guidance on gender-inclusive practices such as sex-disaggregated data collection and gender KPIs.
- Opportunities for visibility through media features, podcasts, and case studies.
- Invitations to fintech and ecosystem events across participating regions.
Interested applicants must fulfil the following criteria:
- Operate in fintech or embedded fintech.
- Be a growth-stage company with proven traction and revenue.
- Have raised capital in the last 12 months or be actively fundraising.
- Be a for-profit and revenue-generating entity with clear scalability potential.
- Operate in Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, or Asia.
- Serve, or be ready to pivot toward serving, women affected by migration or other vulnerable groups.
Interested fintechs can submit their proposals directly here. Be prepared to share details about your business model, traction, financials, and your vision for scaling toward women affected by migration. Strong applications will clearly demonstrate both commercial viability and social impact.
Are you an African start-up seeking to become investment-ready? Apply for the GIZ-SAIS Investment Readiness Programme before 28 September 2025
Are you an African start-up seeking to become investment-ready? Apply for the GIZ-SAIS Investment Readiness Programme before 28 September 2025
Applications are now open for the 2026 GIZ-SAIS Investment Readiness Programme (IRP). The IRP is a free, year-long, tailor-made support programme for African start-ups creating impact in the agricultural sector, either directly or through areas such as climate, livestock, energy, biotech, fintech, circular economy, logistics, or other agri-adjacent sectors.
The programme helps start-ups become investor-ready and grow through customised advisory, targeted technical support, and access to a vibrant community of founders, experts, and investors.
Selected start-ups will participate in a one-year, fully funded support programme, including:
- Up to €20,000 in technical assistance budget for consultancies, expert support, legal advice, online marketing, licenses, certifications, ESG governance, product optimisation, market entry strategies, customer acquisition, marketing and PR, graphic design, employee training, and more.
- Access to revolving working capital loans of up to €50,000 with a nine-month maturity at 1.5% interest.
- Up to €10,000 in digital agency advisory from an international IT consultancy firm to strengthen digital capacities, marketing skills, and data analytics.
- Fully sponsored trips to two in-person community events alongside the Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi (February of each year), plus one additional sector conference.
- Investment and partnership facilitation through invite-only pitch sessions, bespoke introductions to investors and funds, and guidance on fundraising strategy and due diligence.
- Membership in a community of over 100 portfolio companies.
Interested applicants should fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
Applicant companies will be evaluated against business model, technology, team, impact, and traction. Special consideration is given to companies with local founders and gender-diverse founding teams. To be eligible, companies should demonstrate the following:
- Geography and legal entity: Be for-profit and registered in Africa (all countries except South Africa).
- Team: Have a management team of at least two people.
- Stage: Be at pre-seed through Series A stage.
- Traction: Have a minimum viable product, evidence of revenue, and paying customers.
- Impact alignment: Operate in AgriFoodTech or an agricultural-adjacent sector with direct or indirect impact on agriculture or agricultural stakeholders.
If selected, start-ups should be prepared to:
- Nominate a management team member who dedicates an average of two hours per week to the programme and serves as a focal point for SAIS.
- Nominate and dispatch one employee to attend at least two in-person community events (February 2026 and February 2027, most likely in Nairobi).
- Provide data on company progress and growth during the programme and for one year after including, revenue, number of users, customers, funds raised, and employees (collected in compliance with data protection requirements).
- Facilitate access to customers or clients for an impact evaluation of products, services, or technologies.
- Collaborate with contracted experts and service providers to implement targeted technical support measures.
To apply, visit: GIZ-SAIS Investment Readiness Programme (IRP)
Are you a digital entrepreneur using technology to expand access to work, training, and better opportunities? Apply for #HackTheDivide before 7 September 2025.
Are you a digital entrepreneur using technology to expand access to work, training, and better opportunities? Apply for #HackTheDivide before 7 September 2025.
Organized by ITCILO in collaboration with the International Labor Organisation (ILO), Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the African Union Commission, the #HackTheDivide innovation challenge empowers young African digital innovators to co-create inclusive tech solutions that address critical issues like youth employment, digital inclusion, and labor mobility. Participants will engage in dynamic hackathon activities, receive expert mentorship, and gain exposure to key global institutions shaping Africa’s digital future.
The Programme seeks applicants who fit the following profile:
- Young digital innovators aged 18 – 35, working in areas such as youth employment, digital inclusion, migration, fintech, or data innovation
- Based in one of the 25 eligible African countries
- Be available to attend the full two-day hackathon in Nairobi (7 – 8 October 2025)
Successful participants will experience:
- A two-day Hackathon in Nairobi (7 – 8 October 2025), collaborating in dynamic teams with mentorship from global experts
- Travel, accommodation, and meals fully covered during the event
- The opportunity to present live during the global broadcast “Skills for Fair Digital Transitions in Africa” in Turin, connecting your solutions with decision-makers and industry leaders
- A chance for the winning team to access a tailored incubation experience with I3P, including a fully funded trip to Italy and entry into Italy’s innovation ecosystem
Interested applicants must fulfill the following:
For more information and application details, visit #HackTheDivide.
Are you a seed-stage founder building sustainable solutions for Africa? Apply now for the 2025 Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator in Nairobi before 19 September 2025.
Are you a seed-stage founder building sustainable solutions for Africa? Apply now for the 2025 Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator in Nairobi before 19 September 2025.
500 Global, in partnership with UNDP’s timbuktoo initiative, is now accepting applications for the 2025 Sustainable Innovation Seed Accelerator. This intensive 8-week hybrid program, hosted at Nairobi’s Greentech Hub, is designed to help African startups scale tech-enabled solutions that advance sustainability in key sectors including agriculture, mobility, energy, and the built environment.
The accelerator is part of a bold effort to strengthen Africa’s innovation ecosystem by equipping founders with the tools, mentorship, and networks they need to build globally competitive, impact-driven businesses. For Rwandan startups, this program is a gateway to growth, visibility, and partnerships across the continent.
The program is ideal for startups that are:
- At the seed stage with a launched or recently introduced product
- Based in Africa
- Using technology or tech-enabled models to drive measurable impact
- Led by a committed founding team (ideally 2–3 people) able to attend in-person sessions in Nairobi
- Focused on creating sustainable solutions in agriculture, energy, mobility, or the built environment
Participants in the program will benefit from:
- One-on-one mentorship from growth experts and sustainability specialists
- Access to a rich network of investors, corporates, and ecosystem partners
- Workshops, roundtables, and fireside chats covering strategy, product, marketing, and growth
- A three-day in-person retreat focused on leadership, team dynamics, and wellness
- A curated community of peers from across the Global South
- The opportunity to pitch at a high-profile Demo Day in Nairobi
- A tuition-free, non-equity-based program with no participation fee
The accelerator will run from 27 October to 19 December 2025, with the first four weeks held in-person at Nairobi’s Greentech Hub and the following four weeks in a hybrid format. All sessions will be conducted in English, and applicants must be able to commit to the full program duration.
Applications are now open. Early applicants are encouraged to apply before 29 August 2025 for priority consideration, while the final deadline is 19 September 2025.
Apply today and join a cohort of Africa’s boldest innovators working to shape a sustainable future.
Are you a young entrepreneur with an innovative green solution? Apply for the 2025 Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme before 14 September 2025.
Are you a young entrepreneur with an innovative green solution? Apply for the 2025 Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme before 14 September 2025.
The International Trade Center, in partnership with the G20 Global Land Initiative/UNCCD, WIPO, Sidley Austin LLP and Global Startup for Sustainable Development, invites applications for the Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme, a global accelerator programme. This programme is designed for youth entrepreneurs under the age of 35 who are founders, co-founders, or CEOs. The programme seeks passionate innovators with a clear understanding of the environmental challenges they address and scalable solutions ready for acceleration. Successful participants will access capacity-building, mentorship, and funding to scale their ventures and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future.
The Programme seeks applicants whose businesses align with the categories below:
- Land Restoration: Startups restoring degraded land and ecosystems through innovative, sustainable practices.
- Green Business Solutions: Enterprises providing products or services that contribute to environmental sustainability and climate resilience.
Successful participants will receive the following benefits:
- Seed funding of USD 100,000 for the land restoration cohort (equity-free)
- Capacity-building support for scaling your venture
- Networking with global experts, investors, and peers
- Mentorship and coaching from industry leaders
- Legal and IP guidance, including pro-bono services from Sidley Austin
- Preferential access to the Google StartUp for Sustainable Development Programme
- All-expenses-paid trip to an international conference for award finalists
- USD 10,000 prize for Youth Ecopreneur Award winners (1 award per category)
Interested applicants must fulfil the following to apply:
- Be under the age of 35 (by the application deadline)
- Be the Founder, Co-Founder, or CEO
- Operate a legally registered business majority-run by a young person
- Be focused on land restoration or green business solutions
- Meet location requirements (bootcamp is open globally; accelerator is for eligible countries – see the list)
For more information and application details, visit: Ye! Youth Ecopreneurs Programme.
Are you a startup with a product or service in the Sports or Creative industry? Apply for funding from the NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator Programme before 29 August 2025.
Are you a startup with a product or service in the Sports or Creative industry? Apply for funding from the NBA Africa Triple-Double Accelerator Programme before 29 August 2025.
In partnership with ALX Ventures, NBA Africa invites applicants for the Triple-Double Accelerator Programme. The program aims to support African startups, tech ecosystems, and entrepreneurs by promoting growth in the sports and creative industries. Successful participants will access AI-first capacity building, mentorship, world-class coaching, and direct access to investors, partners, and fans to scale their ventures and contribute to African economic growth.
The Programme seeks applicants whose products or services align with the categories below:
- Sports & Innovation – Startups re-shaping the sports industry through fan engagement, athlete performance, digital innovation, community-based fitness, or other impactful approaches.
- Creative Startups – Startups pushing the boundaries of Africa’s creative industries, from fashion, music, and film to gaming, digital media, storytelling, and more.
Successful participants will receive the following benefits:
- Cash prizes of up to USD 50,000 accompanied by value-in-kind benefits
- A 10-week mentorship program with NBA Africa, ServiceNow, ALX leadership, and other corporate stakeholders focused on product development, business growth, and go-to-market strategy
- Business coaching and masterclasses on AI, product, sales, fundraising, and more
- Brand visibility across the NBA and ALX ecosystem
- Networking with prominent business leaders, investors, and clients
- Spotlight and PR at Demo Day in a major African city
Interested applicants must fulfil the following:
- Be headquartered in Africa
- Be less than 2 years old
- Have a tech-enabled solution with clear market value
- Have a proof-of-concept prototype with potential for profit, inclusivity, and scale
- Have two co-founders committed full-time (40+ hrs/week)
For more information and application details, visit: Application.
Are you building digital solutions to solve Africa’s biggest challenges? Apply now for the 2025 MTN Cloud Accelerator Program before 15 August 2025
Are you building digital solutions to solve Africa’s biggest challenges? Apply now for the 2025 MTN Cloud Accelerator Program before 15 August 2025
MTN is now accepting applications for the 2025 MTN Cloud Accelerator Program, a 12-week innovation sprint designed to help African startups scale faster by tapping into MTN’s products, platforms, and strategic partnerships.
The program is designed to support startups reshaping digital payments, transforming access to healthcare, and driving innovation in agriculture and education.
Now in its latest edition, the program supports growth-stage startups with access to capital, technical infrastructure, mentorship, and go-to-market expertise. Participating ventures will benefit from deep engagement with MTN’s ecosystem and the opportunity to fast-track their growth and visibility across the continent.
The MTN Cloud Accelerator is ideal for startups that are:
- Operating at the growth stage with a minimum viable product (MVP) or a live product
- Led by teams with strong traction and deep customer insight
- Addressing real African challenges in sectors such as: Fintech & Payments, HealthTech, EdTech, AgriTech, AI & Data Infrastructure, Cybersecurity & Digital ID, Retail & E-commerce
- Serving rural or underserved communities
Participants in the program will gain:
- Up to ₦100,000,000 in grants per cohort
- One-on-one mentorship with industry experts
- Sales and go-to-market support from MTN teams
- Technical integration with MTN Cloud, MoMo, Chenosis APIs, and more
- Cloud credits and infrastructure advisory
- Investor pitch coaching and curated VC introductions
- Exposure at the MTN Demo Day with investors, media, and ecosystem partners
- Ongoing post-program support, including partnership opportunities, pilots, and M&A readiness
The program is fully funded and free of charge. Startups should be ready to actively engage with MTN’s technical and commercial teams and commit to the full program duration.
Apply now and take your startup to the next level with MTN Cloud Accelerator 2025
Are you an agripreneur ready to build climate resilience into your business? Apply now for the AFC BRACE Program before 27 July 2025.
Are you an agripreneur ready to build climate resilience into your business? Apply now for the AFC BRACE Program before 27 July 2025.
The Africa Food Changemakers(AFC) is now accepting applications for the Building Resilience Against Climate and Environmental Shocks (BRACE) Program, a targeted capacity-building initiative designed to help agripreneurs across Africa understand how climate change impacts their businesses and develop practical strategies for adaptation, mitigation, and access to climate finance.
Through a hybrid learning model, BRACE combines expert-led training, peer learning, and hands-on assignments to equip agripreneurs with the tools, resources, and networks needed to integrate climate-smart practices into their operations.
The BRACE Program is designed for:
- Agripreneurs aged 18 to 40 years
- Citizens of African countries
- Owners, representatives, or decision-makers of registered agribusinesses operating in Africa
- SMEs working in Crop Production and/or Animal Production sectors as producers, processors, marketers, aggregators, etc.
Successful participants will benefit from the following:
- A diagnostic assessment tool to evaluate their awareness and readiness to address climate risks within their agribusiness.
- A self-paced 6-week online learning journey featuring practical, climate-relevant content tailored for African agribusinesses.
- Hands-on assignments designed to help participants “green” their businesses and strengthen their positioning for climate financing opportunities.
- Opportunities for peer-to-peer learning, networking, and experience sharing through group discussions and co-created solutions.
- Access to industry experts and mentors through live interactive sessions.
- Practical resources, tools, and guidance to support investment decisions aligned with sustainable, climate-resilient agribusiness strategies.
- Membership in the AFC Hub Community offers ongoing access to resources, market linkages, funding opportunities, and visibility to support business growth and long-term success.
Participants should be prepared to dedicate approximately four hours per week to completing self-paced modules, assignments, and attending weekly live sessions, which will be scheduled on Thursday or Friday evenings across African time zones. Full engagement over the six weeks is expected, including timely submission of all course assignments and active participation in interactive sessions.
Apply now here!
Time on Your Side: Mastering the Workday as a Rwandan Entrepreneur
Time on Your Side: Mastering the Workday as a Rwandan Entrepreneur
Author: Oleksandra Prysyazhnenko, Expert at ConsumerCentriX
Every entrepreneur has the same number of hours in a day. But not everyone uses those hours with clarity and intention. In Rwanda’s fast-moving business landscape, where many juggle multiple roles, shifting priorities, and community demands, how you manage time can be the difference between progress and burnout.
The most common time struggles aren’t caused by a lack of tools. They often stem from what’s happening internally: the hesitation to delegate, the endless tweaking of a proposal, or the quiet dread of an overflowing inbox. These patterns don’t show up on your calendar, but they shape everything.
One powerful way to regain control is to start spotting these invisible traps. The Superpowers e-book, which inspired this guide, offers a self-reflection quiz that helps you uncover hidden habits. You might find out that procrastination shows up as overplanning, or that perfectionism hides behind “just one more edit.” Identifying these patterns is a practical first step in creating a workflow that aligns with how you think and operate.
Next comes emotion. When you stare at a simple task and feel stuck, the issue is rarely the task itself. Often it’s fear, stress, or mental fatigue. These emotional blockers confuse your priorities and delay action. Recognising this link changes how you approach time, not as a technical problem, but as a mindset issue.
To move from insight to action, use practical tools. The Eisenhower Matrix is one of them. It sorts your tasks into four boxes: do now, plan for later, delegate, or delete. Many entrepreneurs feel everything is urgent. This tool forces clearer thinking and helps you decide what truly deserves your focus.
Another essential principle is the 80/20 rule, also known as the Pareto principle. It reminds you that a small number of activities drive the majority of your results. Instead of doing everything, double down on the few things that matter most. For example, one sales meeting that brings in a key client may be worth more than a full day of scattered admin work.
Time mastery isn’t about squeezing in more. It’s about designing a rhythm that works with your energy and supports your goals. One small shift, like leaving buffer time between meetings or starting each day by tackling your most important task, can transform your workweek.
There is no universal system. The best approach is the one that fits your current season, your strengths, and your responsibilities. So ask yourself: what can I shift today to lead time, not chase it?