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Startup grants and accelerators in Africa

Non-dilutive funding and free support

Grants, accelerator programs, fellowships, and ecosystem support programs open to African startups.

Works in Africa

Fully operational in at least one African country

Partial support

Works with workarounds, like a US/UK entity

Limited in Africa

Listed for awareness and comparison

Browse grants and accelerators by country

🇳🇬 Nigeria🇬🇭 Ghana🇰🇪 Kenya🇿🇦 South Africa🇪🇬 Egypt🇷🇼 Rwanda
ToolAfrica supportMarketsStatus
212 FoundersEquity-free acceleration plus up to $500,000 follow-on in MoroccoWorks in AfricaMoroccoChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications are submitted continuously at 212founders.co, with cohorts processed in two batches - Winter (February/March) and Summer (September/October), so the Summer batch is the near-term window. Structure: a four-month equity-free programme with the option of a follow-on convertible note of up to US$500,000, plus masterclasses, mentor pairings and founder workshops. Priority sectors: fintech, healthtech, edtech, mobility, agritech, AI and climate. Requirements: a working MVP with early traction such as paying users or pilot contracts, a full-time founding team, and Moroccan registration or a commitment to register a Moroccan entity.250 VenturesKigali's venture studio and early-stage investorWorks in AfricaRwandaChecked 8 Sep 2026: 250 Ventures operates as an ongoing incubation and advisory platform rather than a fixed-deadline programme - approach them directly at [email protected] or the Kigali office at 44 KG 548 St, Kacyiru. Track record: 187 startups supported. Programmes include Pitchfest, with field visits, mentor diagnostics and founder self-report sessions, plus the Hanga Central platform. Specific eligibility criteria and investment terms are not published, so confirm before you plan around them.Access Bank W Pitch-a-Ton CameroonMini-MBA and seed prizes for Cameroonian women entrepreneursWorks in AfricaCameroonChecked 20 Aug 2026: the official page has a live registration link and no displayed deadline. Prizes are FCFA 3m, FCFA 2m and FCFA 1m. Applicants must be women aged 21–45, hold an active Access Bank Cameroon business account, and have a registered business or solid project in a listed high-impact sector with at least FCFA 3m annual turnover or startup capital. Joint businesses qualify when a woman owns at least 50% and actively manages it.Acumen East Africa Fellowship20 fellows a year tackling poverty across East AfricaWorks in AfricaKenya, UgandaChecked 8 Sep 2026: runs on an annual cycle - check the fellowship site for the current window. A themed Green RISE East Africa Fellowship also runs for climate-focused leaders. Coverage: Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Burundi, South Sudan and Somalia. Eligibility: 18 or older with English proficiency, no academic prerequisites. Cohort size is 20. Fellows remain in their jobs throughout. No cash grant to your business is attached.Acumen West Africa FellowshipA fully funded leadership fellowship for West African changemakersWorks in AfricaNigeria, GhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: runs on an annual cycle - check the fellowship site for the current window. Acumen also runs a themed Green RISE West Africa Fellowship for climate-focused leaders. Coverage: Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia. Eligibility: 18 or older with English proficiency; there are no academic prerequisites. Format: an intensive leadership programme of multi-day virtual seminars with group and individual assignments in between, designed so fellows keep working. This is leadership development and network access, not a cash grant to your company.AECF (Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund)Competition-based finance for rural agribusiness and energy venturesWorks in AfricaKenya, EthiopiaChecked 8 Sep 2026: AECF funds through periodic country-specific competitions rather than a single rolling window - recent open calls covered energy for green growth in Kenya, climate-resilient energy and agricultural finance in Ethiopia, and women's entrepreneurship in Benin and Burkina Faso. It has backed 698 businesses in 26 sub-Saharan countries and leveraged US$916 million in matching funds.Africa Digital Rights Fund (ADRF)$1,000 to $20,000 for digital rights work in AfricaWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: no verifiable round since the eighth, whose awards were announced in May 2024 (US$134,000 to 10 initiatives from 130 applications). No 2025 or 2026 call exists on cipesa.org and the fund page still carries an old 'open' notice, so its status label cannot be trusted - treat as watch-only. Award: US$1,000 to US$20,000, grant period up to 10 months. Registration is a preference, not a bar: unregistered organisations and coalitions may be considered if they can evidence being operational in an African country.Africa Prize for Engineering InnovationOpen: £85,000 prize pool for sub-Saharan African innovatorsWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 20 Aug 2026: OPEN for the 2027 prize; Stage 1 deadline is 8 September 2026 at 16:00 UTC+1. Up to 16 innovators receive training and mentoring. Prize pot: £85,000 - £50,000 winner, three £10,000 runners-up and a £5,000 audience award. Applicants must be adults, citizens and ordinarily based in sub-Saharan Africa, with an engineering-based innovation beyond idea stage and in early commercialisation. The programme is free and takes no equity.Africa's Business HeroesUS$1.5 million in annual grants for African entrepreneursWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 20 Aug 2026: 2026 applications closed on 7 May; watch for the next annual cycle. The top 10 share US$1.5m: US$300k winner, US$250k second, US$150k third, and US$100k for each other finalist, plus US$100k for training. Business must be formally registered and headquartered in Africa with at least three years of operations; applications are accepted in English or French.Algerian Startup Fund (ASF)Algeria's public venture fund for labelled startupsWorks in AfricaAlgeriaChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications run through the ASF portal on an ongoing basis. Track record: roughly 3.5 billion DZD accumulated since 2020 and around 120 startups financed. In practice ASF funding is tied to holding the Algerian startup label, so secure the label first. Alongside ASF, the ecosystem includes Algeria Business Angels (about 60 active members, roughly 40 deals closed across 2024-2025) and a growing set of pan-European funds looking at the market.Algerian Startup LabelThe national label that unlocks Algeria's startup benefitsWorks in AfricaAlgeriaChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications are submitted through the national portal in review sessions. Ecosystem scale as reported for 2026: over 2,000 startups, more than 450 labelled companies, 3.5 billion DZD accumulated by the Algerian Startup Fund and around 12,000 direct jobs created. Algeria Venture is the national public accelerator that supports labelled startups with hands-on programmes to de-risk them for investment. The label is the prerequisite for most public support, so treat it as step one rather than an alternative to funding.Anthropic Claude for StartupsClaude API credits and priority rate limits for startupsWorks in AfricaNigeria, GhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: rolling application. Credits are framed on the live page around venture backing - 'Backed by a VC? You may qualify' and 'Mention your investor when you apply' - with no advertised bootstrapped credit tier, so widely-quoted figures for a direct application should be treated as unconfirmed. Practical minimums: a registered entity, a company-domain email and a Claude Console account. Credits are first-party Claude API through Console only, not redeemable via AWS Bedrock or Google Vertex. Non-credit benefits (community, events, early access) are open to any founder now.Antler KenyaUp to $250,000 - and you do not need a startup yetWorks in AfricaKenyaChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications are open, with the next cohort starting 12 October 2026. Award: US$100,000 for 10% equity, plus a pre-committed US$150,000 to match your next VC round at that round's valuation - up to US$250,000 in total. Also included: over US$850,000 in tech credits (rising to US$2 million for portfolio companies) and free office space at ABC Place. No residency fees in Kenya. The Founder Residency runs 10 weeks in two five-week phases. You do not need an existing startup or a co-founder - Antler helps you find one. Highly selective: fewer than 1% of applicants are backed.Antler NigeriaDay-zero venture building and investment in LagosWorks in AfricaNigeriaChecked 8 Sep 2026: Antler runs residencies in both Kenya and Nigeria - check the Nigeria page for the current cohort dates, which run separately from Nairobi. Terms follow Antler's standard model: an initial investment for equity at the residency stage plus a pre-committed follow-on to match your next round. You do not need an existing startup or co-founder to apply. Antler backs fewer than 1% of applicants globally.Anzisha PrizeOver $140,000 a year for Africa's youngest entrepreneursWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: the 2026 intake closed in November 2025; the cycle runs annually with applications typically opening around October. Award: more than US$140,000 distributed each year in cash prizes and business support across the cohort. Hard age gate - applicants must be 15 to 22 with an ID or passport to prove it.ARM Labs Lagos Techstars AcceleratorUp to $120,000 for African fintech, mobility and commerce startupsWorks in AfricaNigeriaChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications are reviewed on a rolling basis across cohorts - check the Techstars page for the current class deadline. Award: up to US$120,000 in equity funding plus mentorship, Lagos office space and access to the global Techstars network. You must be a legally registered entity in Nigeria to take the investment.Ashoka FellowshipA living stipend so you can go full-time on systems changeWorks in AfricaNigeria, GhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: the most recent round closed on 1 September 2026 and no next-round date is published. Applications are described as accepted year-round but reviewed annually - confirm the next cut-off with the Ashoka West Africa office. Award: a needs-based living stipend, typically up to three years, plus lifetime fellowship membership and pro bono professional services. Applicants are expected to operate a registered organisation with early traction and to be full time.AWS ActivateAWS credits and technical support for eligible startupsWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 21 Sep 2026: open continuously, no deadline. Self-serve Founders tier gives US$1,000 in credits with up to $5,000 unlocked over time; the Portfolio tier, which requires an introduction from an AWS Activate Provider such as an accelerator or VC, reaches $100,000 and above, and a generative-AI tier is cited as high as $300,000. No equity is taken. Credits expire, so do not claim them before you have something to run.Bank of Industry (BOI) iProgrammes₦500,000 to ₦1 billion at 9-12% interest for Nigerian businessesWorks in AfricaNigeriaChecked 8 Sep 2026: iProgrammes is the single portal for BOI's active intervention funds - availability varies by fund, so check which are open. Terms: loans typically from ₦500,000 up to ₦1 billion depending on the programme and business size, at interest rates generally between 9% and 12% annually, well below commercial rates. The African Development Bank approved a US$200 million facility for BOI to expand long-term financing, with at least 30% expected to reach Nigerian SMEs and a priority on women-owned and youth-led businesses.BongoHiveZambia's main technology and innovation hubWorks in AfricaZambiaChecked 8 Sep 2026: BongoHive runs several programmes at once with individual windows - check the programmes page. Recently open: the FACE NDC Green Innovation Challenge, a six-month programme supporting 10 Zambian green technology startups across agriculture, forestry and renewable energy, running January to July 2026 in Lusaka. Recently closed: the Lumwana Supplier Development Programme (150 places, Solwezi) and IGNITE, an EU-funded digital economy incubator across Kitwe, Lusaka and Ndola. BongoHive also hosts the timbuktoo MineTech accelerator.Cartier Women's Initiative Regional AwardsUS$30,000–US$100,000 grants for women impact foundersWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 20 Aug 2026: applications for the 2027 edition closed on 16 June 2026; monitor the next edition. Each region awards US$100k, US$60k and US$30k to first, second and third place. Africa has Francophone Sub-Saharan, Anglophone/Lusophone and Middle East/North Africa categories. The for-profit business must generate US$50k–US$5m annual revenue, employ 5–250 people, have raised no more than US$2m dilutive funding, and be founded, majority-owned and led by the woman applicant.Catalytic AfricaMatches angel investment into African startups 1:1Works in AfricaNigeria, GhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: operates as an ongoing platform rather than a deadline-driven call. Mechanism: startups that secure investment from a participating business angel can unlock matching funds at a 1:1 ratio - so the angel cheque, not an application to Catalytic Africa alone, is the trigger. timbuktoo-incubated startups are explicitly eligible for this matching. Detailed terms and current amounts are thin on the public site, so confirm directly before planning a raise around it.CivicHive CivicTech FellowshipA stipend and incubation from BudgIT's civic tech labWorks in AfricaNigeria, GhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: the 2026 cycle opened 23 January and closed 11 February 2026; a 2027 cycle is not yet announced - confirm with [email protected] rather than assuming a January window. Open to individuals or teams who are citizens or residents of any West African country, with no registered entity required. The idea must already be tested or in operation for one to three years and fit one of four themes: AI for Good, Climate Tech, Social Good, or Advocacy and Movements. 15 solutions are selected. Benefits: monthly stipend (amount undisclosed), technical, product and legal support, mentorship, and a paid trip to the West Africa Civic Tech Conference.Cloudflare Project GalileoFree enterprise-grade protection for at-risk public interest sitesWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: rolling, no fee and no country restriction. This is in-kind only - no cash, and it cannot cover salaries or inference costs. Important nuance: Cloudflare's own page says services are offered to any proposed recipient brought to them by, or approved by, one of their trusted partners, so partner sponsorship is the real admission path. The direct form asks applicants to describe their non-profit status, which an unregistered project will struggle to answer. You can run on the free plan while waiting.Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB)Equity-free accelerators from Africa's best-known innovation hubWorks in AfricaNigeria, KenyaChecked 8 Sep 2026: CcHUB runs several accelerators with separate calls rather than one window - check the accelerator listings for what is live. Recent programmes: an EdTech Accelerator with the Mastercard Foundation offering qualified startups US$100,000 in equity-free funding over the programme, and a Creative Economy Accelerator selecting ten startups eligible for between US$20,000 and US$50,000 across music, film, design and creative technology, open to applicants anywhere in Africa. The CcHUB Syndicate lets angels and early-stage investors invest alongside CcHUB in sub-Saharan African startups.Creative Economy Development Fund (CEDF)Federal funding for Nigeria's creative and cultural businessesWorks in AfricaNigeriaChecked 20 Aug 2026: the official Phase 2 portal currently exposes both a Grant Application and a regular funding application. Phase 2 targets SMEs and MSMEs. Instruments can include grant, equity, loan or blended finance; the public page does not state a universal ticket size, so applicants should verify the exact instrument and repayment/dilution terms shown in their application.DDISA FundZAR 45,000 to ZAR 85,000 for digital democracy work in AfricaWorks in AfricaSouth Africa, NigeriaChecked 8 Sep 2026: Cohort 2 applications are closed and no Cohort 3 date is announced - monitor ddisafund.org and the OpenUp channels. Awards: Tier I ZAR 45,000 (about US$2,400) for grassroots organisations with 1 year of experience, and Tier II ZAR 85,000 (about US$4,600) for established organisations with 2 years. Registration is required for Tier I; Tier II accepts a fiscal sponsor if you are unregistered. Applicants must be based in sub-Saharan Africa (40 countries) with a clear civic engagement or inclusive democracy focus - DDISA's own definition of innovation names data visualisation for budget transparency.DER/FJ SenegalInterest-free financing for Senegalese women and young foundersWorks in AfricaSenegalChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications are accepted on an ongoing basis, either at DER/FJ regional offices across Senegal or online via der.sn. Direct individual financing for micro-entrepreneurs and women traders ranges from 100,000 to 1,500,000 FCFA as interest-free loans repayable over a set period; larger tracks exist for structured businesses. Documents needed: financing request, national ID, a simplified business plan or activity description, proof of residence, and registration documents for existing structures. Processing takes four to twelve weeks.develoPPP VenturesMatched growth funding for startups in seven African marketsWorks in AfricaIvory Coast, GhanaChecked 20 Aug 2026: calls run twice a year for six weeks near the end of Q2 and Q4; eligible countries are announced for each window. The programme serves Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Nigeria and South Africa through OAP, and Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda through VC4A. Applicants need proof of concept, initial revenue and a locally registered profit-oriented company by contracting. Funding uses a matching-funds model: at least an equal amount of external investment capital must be secured before disbursement.Draper Richards Kaplan FoundationUp to $300,000 unrestricted over three yearsWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: rolling year-round with no deadline. Award: up to US$300,000 unrestricted over three years, usually tranched. A legal entity is required - 501(c)(3) equivalents, C corps, B corps, hybrids or fiscally sponsored organisations. Stage gate: post-pilot and pre-scale, typically two to five years old; idea-stage and pre-pilot are explicitly excluded. A DRK senior team member takes a board seat for three years, and you may only reapply twice, no sooner than a year after a decline.Echoing Green Fellowship$100,000 over 18 months for early-stage social entrepreneursWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: the 2026 cycle is closed and the 2027 cycle is not yet announced; the previous cycle opened in September and closed in early October, so check the apply page weekly through autumn. Award: US$100,000 paid over 18 months - note that for-profit and hybrid applicants receive it as a recoverable (repayable) grant. No US basis, citizenship or registered entity required, and idea-phase organisations are eligible.Ecobank Fintech Challenge$50,000 plus access to Ecobank's 35 African marketsWorks in AfricaNigeria, GhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: runs as an annual challenge - check the Ecobank page for the current call. Award: US$50,000 grant to the winner, plus support and access to opportunities across Ecobank's 35 African markets. Open to all fintechs on the African continent; applicants submit product details and a demo. The distribution access is arguably worth more than the cash for a fintech at scaling stage.Emergent VenturesFast, unrestricted grants for individuals with zero-to-one ideasWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: rolling, no deadline, with responses typically inside a week. There is no fixed grant range - funding is project-specific, in practice roughly US$10,000 to US$100,000. The only stated eligibility rule on the application form is being 13 or older, and it funds individuals rather than registered entities, so no CAC or company registration is needed. Africa is a selectable region on the form.Falak StartupsEgyptian government-backed investment for traction-stage startupsWorks in AfricaEgyptChecked 8 Sep 2026: programmes run in cohorts - check the programs page for the live call. Falak focuses on tech-enabled ventures with proven traction that are ready to scale, providing capital, strategic guidance, operational expertise and network access. Startups must be Egypt-based; specific stage criteria are not published, so contact [email protected] to confirm fit.Fast Forward Accelerator$25,000+ unrestricted for AI-powered tech non-profitsWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: the 2027 cohort deadline was 7 September 2026, so the current round has just closed; the programme runs annually. Award: US$25,000+ unrestricted grant. Two hard requirements: a non-profit business model and an MVP already built. Teams outside the US are eligible if registered as a non-profit in their own country, fiscal sponsorship is accepted, and Fast Forward says it can help with incorporation. International founders must commit to twice-weekly virtual sessions plus in-person activities in San Francisco, which needs a US visa.Flat6LabsMENA and West Africa's leading acceleratorWorks in AfricaEgypt, GhanaChecked 21 Sep 2026: deploying the Africa Seed Fund, US$85 million target with a US$100 million hard cap, backed by the IFC. Tickets of roughly US$150,000 to US$500,000, aiming at more than 160 early-stage startups over five years. Geography is weighted: about 49% of capital is earmarked for Egypt, with the rest across Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco and Senegal. Sectors are fintech, healthtech, edtech, greentech, agritech and climatetech. The equity percentage taken is not published.FLOSS/fundUp to $100,000 a year for free and open-source projectsWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: rolling, no deadline. Award: US$10,000 minimum, then in multiples of US$25,000, up to US$100,000 per year per project. Individuals, projects, groups, communities and organisations can apply from anywhere. The real gate is maturity, stated as an exclusion: the fund focuses on existing, widely used projects and says very new projects or those with minimal usage are not considered. Payment requires a bank account and tax documents - Zerodha remits from India, so budget for a tax residency certificate.Fushly$5.2M+ in startup software credits in one placePartial supportNigeria, GhanaSubscription is $49/month or $400/year - requires an international card. The credits themselves are global programs that do not require a US entity, so most are claimable by Nigerian, Ghanaian, and Kenyan founders. Verify eligibility per offer before subscribing.Future AfricaPan-African VC investing in Africa's futureWorks in AfricaNigeria, KenyaChecked 21 Sep 2026: actively deploying. Cheques of roughly US$100,000 to US$500,000 at pre-seed and seed, with follow-on reserved for the companies that work and selective Series A participation. Structured so individual African operators can co-invest alongside the fund through syndicate SPVs rather than only institutions. Founded by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, previously of Andela and Flutterwave.GEA SME Growth & Opportunity ProgrammeMatching grants for high-growth Ghanaian SMEsWorks in AfricaGhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: the programme runs in application rounds through the SME-GO portal - check the portal for the live window. Eligibility is explicitly restricted: only small and medium enterprises qualify, and micro enterprises plus large corporates are excluded. Grant amounts and cost-sharing ratios are set per round, so confirm the current terms on the portal before preparing documents.GitHub Secure Open Source Fund$10,000 plus security tooling for open-source maintainersWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: rolling sessions, apply any time. Award: US$10,000 per project, paid US$6,000 during the programme, US$2,000 at the six-month check-in and US$2,000 at 12 months, plus security tooling and training. Open to individual maintainers or teams of up to three, aged 18+, with an active GitHub profile in a GitHub Sponsors supported region - Nigeria is supported. No legal entity required. The real bar is demonstrated community traction and a defined governance structure, so prepare stars, forks, external contributors and a written CONTRIBUTING doc.Global Innovation FundStaged grant, debt and equity for scalable development innovationsWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 20 Aug 2026: NOT currently open; the last window closed 15 January 2025 and the fund says future calls will be announced. Instruments include grants, debt and equity. Commercial companies should not assume grant eligibility: GIF generally reserves grants for public-benefit outputs or evaluation, while business growth may be financed through debt/equity. Funding is staged, due diligence can take six to nine months, and the solution must have credible scale and poverty impact.GoGettaz Agripreneur PrizeUS$50,000 awards for young African agrifood foundersWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 20 Aug 2026: the official site labels 2026 applications as open but does not expose a deadline on the public page; verify submission availability in the application portal before posting urgency. Main prizes: US$50,000 each to one woman and one man. Designed for young African entrepreneurs building innovative, scalable businesses across the agrifood value chain.Google for Startups AfricaEquity-free support from GoogleWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 21 Sep 2026: the Africa cohort ran April to June 2026 and the South Africa cohort runs September to December 2026, with its applications having closed on 28 August 2026. Both are equity-free. The South Africa programme attaches up to R1 million in non-dilutive cash per startup; the pan-African programme is support rather than cash. Twelve weeks, hybrid, 10 to 15 startups per cohort.Google for Startups Cloud Program$2,000 in Google Cloud credits at the entry tierWorks in AfricaNigeria, GhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: rolling, apply any time. Award: Start tier gives US$2,000 in Google Cloud credits valid 12 months, US$200 in Google Skills credits, 12 months of free Workspace Business Plus and free-tier AI Studio access. Scale (up to US$200K) and AI-First (up to US$350K) tiers both require qualifying equity. Hard gate: the company must have been founded within the last 24 months. Google explicitly refuses non-profits, government bodies, educational institutions, dev shops, consultancies and agencies. You need a public company website, a matching company email and an 18-character Cloud billing account ID.Grindstone AcceleratorA free, no-equity accelerator for 20 companies a yearWorks in AfricaSouth Africa, Pan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: Grindstone takes 20 companies annually and runs regional cohorts including South Africa and a wider Africa track - check the site for the current intake. It is financed by sponsorship partners and provided free of charge to qualifying participants, and it does not take upfront equity. Support covers growth measurement, gap analysis, training, corporate advisory, coaching, mentorship and funding readiness.GSMA Innovation Fund£100,000 to £200,000 grants for mobile and digital venturesWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: the Green Transition for Mobile window ran February to May 2026 with a 6 April 2026 deadline and is closed; GSMA launches new themed windows regularly, so watch the fund page. Award: £100,000 to £200,000 grants. Mobile or digital technology must be core to the solution, not incidental.Hanga PitchFestRwanda's national technology pitch competitionWorks in AfricaRwandaChecked 20 Aug 2026: the official site says Apply Now and is promoting its sixth edition. It does not publish a 2026 deadline or prize table on the public page, so verify those in the application form. The programme is focused on Rwandan innovators and reports RWF 600m invested across prior editions.Hi-Innovator UgandaConvertible-grant acceleration for Ugandan businessesWorks in AfricaUgandaChecked 20 Aug 2026: the latest application windows shown on the official site are closed. Funding is a convertible grant, not a no-strings grant: programme terms give NSSF a right to exercise a 6% equity stake within three years, reducible under specified fundraising conditions. Accelerator applicants generally need a fully registered Ugandan business, two years of operations, at least UGX 20m revenue over the prior two years, two participating founders and completion of the pre-accelerator.Impact Hub HarareZimbabwe's main innovation community and SDG acceleratorWorks in AfricaZimbabweChecked 8 Sep 2026: programmes run in cycles with an online application form - check the site for the current call. Accelerate2030, co-launched by the Impact Hub network and UNDP, is the flagship initiative, focused on entrepreneurial solutions aligned with the SDGs, particularly decent work and economic growth (SDG 8) and industry, innovation and infrastructure (SDG 9). Selection weighs potential impact, alignment with the hub's mission, team capability, growth vision and commitment to social or environmental sustainability. Other Zimbabwean options include the EY Zimbabwe Business Accelerator Programme.Injini Mastercard Foundation EdTech FellowshipR1 million-plus equity-free support for South African EdTechWorks in AfricaSouth AfricaChecked 20 Aug 2026: 2026 applications closed on 18 January; join the official newsletter for the next cohort. Each fellow receives specialised support worth over R2.5m, including more than R1m in equity-free venture funding. Best fit is a post-revenue EdTech with most users and team in South Africa, potential to reach 8,000 learners within one year, and strong inclusion of marginalised learners.Jasiri Talent InvestorFully funded backing for the founder before the idea existsWorks in AfricaRwanda, KenyaChecked 8 Sep 2026: the site actively solicits applications with no published deadline or batch dates. Fellows are selected from four countries - Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia and South Africa - and the programme is fully funded, providing capital, infrastructure and guidance. Jasiri frames its thesis around market-creating innovations serving non-consumers, backing durable businesses rather than fast exits.Katapult Africa Accelerator$150,000 to $500,000 for agritech, food and climate venturesWorks in AfricaNigeria, KenyaChecked 8 Sep 2026: the Cohort 3 window closed on 25 April 2026; Katapult runs annual cohorts, so watch the site for the next call. Award: direct investment of US$150,000 to US$500,000, which is equity - not a grant. Focus areas: clean energy, clean mobility, circular economy, sustainable agriculture and frontier climate markets.Kenya Climate Innovation CenterIncubation, acceleration and finance for East African climate venturesWorks in AfricaKenya, UgandaChecked 8 Sep 2026: KCIC recruits through periodic programme calls plus an open Founders Collective alumni network - check the site for the live call. Track record: 3,500+ SMEs supported (56% women-owned), 57,517 jobs created, US$63 million leveraged and a 67% commercialisation rate. Focus areas include ecosystem restoration, water security, risk mitigation and climate action.Kosmos Innovation Center AgriTech ChallengeIncubation for Ghanaian agribusiness startups, backed by Mastercard FoundationWorks in AfricaGhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: the 2026 AgriTech Challenge Pro cohort call opened in May 2026; both tracks run annually, so check the KIC site for the current window. Pro is an advanced business incubation programme for high-potential agribusiness startups ready for growth and scale, covering product refinement, market readiness and investment preparation. The programme sits within the Initiative for Youth in Agricultural Transformation (IYAT), a Mastercard Foundation partnership with Kosmos Innovation Center.Lagos Innovates Workspace Voucher ProgrammeUp to ₦150,000 a month toward workspace for Lagos startupsWorks in AfricaNigeriaChecked 8 Sep 2026: the most recent window closed on 20 May 2026; the programme is relaunched periodically, so watch the Lagos Innovates portal. Award: three tiers - ₦25,000 monthly for three months, ₦50,000 monthly for six months, or up to ₦150,000 monthly for twelve months, covering between 30% and 75% of workspace membership costs at approved partner hubs.LSETF MSME Loan Programme₦50,000 to ₦5,000,000 in low-interest loans for Lagos businessesWorks in AfricaNigeriaChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications run in cycles through the LSETF portal - check for the current window. Award: loans from ₦50,000 up to ₦5,000,000. LSETF reports having disbursed about ₦15 billion and supported 320,000 jobs over ten years. This is debt, not a grant - repayment terms and interest apply.MEST AfricaPan-African accelerator and talent investorWorks in AfricaNigeria, KenyaChecked 21 Sep 2026: runs an annual training programme plus the MEST Africa Challenge. This is the most dilutive entry on this list and the terms are rarely stated plainly: MEST takes 10% to 15% equity in exchange for a year of training, workspace and access to seed capital, and if it then writes the seed cheque, typically around US$50,000, it takes roughly a further 20%. Graduating teams meeting investment criteria receive US$50,000 to US$100,000. The separate Challenge awards US$50,000 as an equity investment.Microsoft for StartupsAzure credits and developer benefits for eligible startupsWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 21 Sep 2026: open continuously via Founders Hub. Around US$1,000 at the self-serve entry point, with a $5,000 tier available to most startups and $100,000 to $150,000 reserved for companies backed by a recognised VC or accelerator. Includes GitHub Enterprise, Microsoft 365 and Azure OpenAI access. No equity is taken. Credits expire 12 months after issue and are not extended.Milken-Motsepe Innovation PrizeMulti-million dollar prize competitions with an Africa spotlightWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: the Circular Economy Prize is the live competition, with US$2 million in prizes including a US$1 million grand prize; its main application deadline passed on 13 August 2026. Past editions covered AgriTech, FinTech, Green Energy and AI & Manufacturing, so a new theme normally follows. The Circular Economy edition requires more than two years of continuous trading.MIT Solve Global ChallengesEquity-free prize funding for tech solutions to global problemsWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: the 2027 Global Economic Prosperity Challenge opens 22 September 2026 at 9:00am EDT with a solution deadline of 2 November 2026 at 12:00pm EST. Solve publishes that last year's Solver teams received an average of about US$40,000 each from a pool of over US$1 million at selection - there is no guaranteed cheque. The 2027 slate has no governance or transparency lane, so non-fitting work must be argued through to the published themes. English only.Mulago Rainer Arnhold Fellowship$200,000 unrestricted - but referral only, no application formWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: there is no application portal. Mulago's own FAQ answers 'how do I apply' with 'You don't' - it relies on a referral network built over 20 years. The published cycle sources July to October, screens October to January and selects in early 2027. Award: US$200,000 unrestricted for non-profit fellows, or restricted to charitable purposes for for-profit fellows. Expects a legally established entity or one in formal registration.Nigeria Youth Futures Fund$1,000 individual grants and $10,000 organisation grantsWorks in AfricaNigeriaChecked 8 Sep 2026: the 2026 cycle opened 26 February and closed 17 April 2026; a 2027 cycle is not yet announced. Awards: US$1,000 small grants (100 awards, individuals) and US$10,000 development grants (60 awards, youth-led organisations). The individual track needs only age 18-35, a track record, valid ID and two referees - no registration. The organisation track is heavier: CAC registration plus a SCUML certificate, physical office, corporate bank account and financial records in good standing.Norrsken22$205M impact fund backing African tech from seed to Series AWorks in AfricaNigeria, KenyaChecked 21 Sep 2026: deploying its US$205 million debut fund, closed November 2023. Initial cheques run about US$250,000 to US$2 million, rising to roughly US$1 million to US$5 million at Series A. Seed through Series A, concentrated in fintech, edtech, medtech and market enablement. Based in Cape Town and most active in Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana and South Africa. A warm introduction from within its network materially improves your odds over a cold approach.Norrsken Evolve€250K to €500K for impact startups - but Europe-firstWorks in AfricaRwanda, KenyaChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications are open through the site. Award: €250,000 to €500,000 initial equity funding, typically targeting around 5% ownership when leading, with co-investment at other terms. Important limitation: the programme primarily supports founders from EU27 countries, EU candidate countries and the UK, and states it will support only 'a handful of high-potential companies outside Europe' - so African applicants are eligible but competing outside the core mandate. Norrsken does operate a Norrsken House in Kigali. Portfolio companies report a 75% follow-on funding rate.NVIDIA InceptionA free NVIDIA program for AI and accelerated-computing startupsWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanThe program is free and takes no equity, but eligibility and individual partner benefits are conditional. Apply before relying on any credit amount.NYDA Grant ProgrammeUp to R200,000 for young South African entrepreneursWorks in AfricaSouth AfricaChecked 20 Aug 2026: ongoing through the NYDA portal and branches; the official page publishes no annual deadline. Applicants must be South African citizens/residents aged 18–35, attend business-management training, make a 10-minute pitch and pass due diligence and credit checks. Cumulative funding is generally capped at R200,000, with up to R250,000 for eligible agriculture, technology and cooperative projects. Applications are processed at a branch and can take 30 working days plus disbursement time.Obama Foundation Leaders AfricaA fully funded leadership programme, no entity requiredWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: the 2026-2027 cycle is closed and the 2027-2028 application is not yet announced; the previous cycle opened in November, so expect a Q4 2026 window. No cash grant is attached. Criteria: aged 24 to 45, citizen or permanent resident of an African country (or five years' residence), at least three years of relevant experience, professional English, and not currently a candidate in an electoral campaign.Open Technology Fund Internet Freedom Fund$10,000 to $900,000 for open-source internet freedom toolsWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: rolling, apply any time. Award: US$10,000 to US$900,000, with a typical ceiling around US$300,000; OTF says ideal requests are US$50,000 to US$200,000 over 6 to 12 months. Individuals and organisations of any nationality and any for-profit or non-profit status may apply, excluding US-sanctioned countries, and OTF gives preference to first-time applicants from the Global South. Note OTF depends on annual US congressional appropriations, which have been contested - treat timelines as uncertain.Orange Corners NigeriaIncubation and prototype funding for Nigerian founders aged 18–35Works in AfricaNigeriaChecked 20 Aug 2026: Cohort 15 is advertised as accepting applications; the Lagos intake is closed and the site points founders to the next Ogun cohort. Applicants must be 18–35 with core operations in Lagos or Ogun, a validated innovative concept not older than two years, and a solution to a Nigerian challenge aligned with the SDGs. The fund offers a prototype voucher/allowance up to €4,000; selected pitch winners can receive €10,000–€35,000 as a grant/loan mix, so confirm the instrument before accepting.Orange Social Venture Prize Africa & Middle EastUp to €25,000 for tech-enabled social venturesWorks in AfricaPan-African, TunisiaChecked 20 Aug 2026: the 2026 deadline was 10 May; monitor the portal for the next edition. International awards reach €25,000, with separate national rounds in Orange's 17-country Africa/Middle East footprint. Applicants must be over 21 with a project under five years old that has reached prototype or experimentation stage. Local rules and prize amounts vary by country.Renew Venture LabAccelerator and investment pipeline across 13 African countriesWorks in AfricaEthiopia, GhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: the inaugural EmFi (embedded finance) series selected 15 startups from more than 500 applicants in July 2026, drawn from Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Togo, Uganda and Zambia. Renew Capital operates across 13 countries from Ghana to Zambia. Future series are expected but themes are announced per cohort.Rwanda Green Fund Innovation GrantUp to US$300,000 for Rwandan climate innovationWorks in AfricaRwandaChecked 20 Aug 2026: calls are periodic and normally give applicants a one-month proposal window; monitor the official site. Private companies can seek up to US$300,000 and must provide 25% match funding. The lead applicant must be registered in Rwanda, align with a Green Fund thematic window and show commercial potential. This record is for the Innovation Grant, not the separate credit line.SAB Foundation Social Innovation & Disability Empowerment AwardsR300,000–R1.3 million for South African social innovationsWorks in AfricaSouth AfricaChecked 20 Aug 2026: the 2026 call was announced on 10 February; check the linked application route for the current intake because the article does not show a closing date. Funding ranges from R300,000 to R1.3m. The solution must be beyond idea stage and already under development, testing or implementation. Disability entries should expand economic access or participation for persons with disabilities.Safaricom Spark AcceleratorMarket access and investment support for Kenyan tech startupsWorks in AfricaKenyaChecked 20 Aug 2026: the most recent public application cycle is closed. Applicants are generally expected to be Kenya-registered, post-revenue, have an active user base and be no later than Series A. Focus areas include fintech, SME productivity, creative/media and AI. This is not a grant: the programme requires willingness to accept equity participation; benefits can include AWS credits up to US$25,000 and commercial integration opportunities.Sahara AcceleratorTanzania's leading accelerator for post-MVP startupsWorks in AfricaTanzania, KenyaChecked 8 Sep 2026: programmes run in cohorts - check the accelerator site for the live call. Sahara works with post-MVP startups that have a solid team, proven traction and a business model with potential for exponential growth. Related programmes include E-Kilimo for agritech, ClimAccelerator for climate enterprises, a Ventures Studio, and PesaTech, an investor-readiness accelerator run with UNCDF for post-MVP and growth-stage Tanzanian fintechs.SEDFA (Small Enterprise Development Finance Agency)Grants and loans up to R15 million for South African small businessWorks in AfricaSouth AfricaChecked 8 Sep 2026: Seda ceased to exist as a standalone agency on 1 October 2024 and SEDFA replaced it, adding direct lending that Seda never offered. Products range from non-repayable grants to loans up to R15 million. Individual programmes run in windows - the Asset Assist Programme, offering up to R250,000 in grant funding for machinery, equipment and working capital, opened 5 December 2025 and closed 9 January 2026, so check the current listings.SeedstarsAcceleration and investment readiness across emerging marketsWorks in AfricaIvory Coast, TanzaniaChecked 8 Sep 2026: programmes run as open calls posted on the community section of the site rather than one annual deadline. Seedstars Africa Ventures reached a first close of US$42 million with backing from the African Development Bank and EIB Global. Physical Seedspace hubs operate in cities including Abidjan and Dar es Salaam.SMEDAN Conditional Grant SchemeA ₦50,000 grant for Nigerian nano businessesWorks in AfricaNigeriaChecked 21 Sep 2026: the official SMEDAN page has a live register-interest form and no published closing date; applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Award: a fixed ₦50,000 grant, non-repayable and interest-free provided the conditions are met, with no equity taken. Condition: the beneficiary is expected to employ one person, and this is verified rather than nominal. Intended for nano businesses at LGA level; prepare CAC and business details. More than 18,000 nano-businesses have been funded to date.Standard Chartered Women in Tech GhanaUp to US$10,000 for women-led tech businesses in GhanaWorks in AfricaGhanaChecked 20 Aug 2026: the 2026 window ran 2–27 March and is closed; monitor the site for the next annual cohort. Pitch finalists can receive up to US$10,000. Applicants must be Ghanaian women aged 18–35, run a Ghana-based business or own at least 50%, use technology, and have annual revenue below US$100,000. Application and participation are free.Standard Chartered Women in Tech KenyaUS$10,000 seed grants for women-led Kenyan startupsWorks in AfricaKenyaChecked 20 Aug 2026: the official site advertises Cohort 9 applications as open but does not show a closing date on the public page. The top seven startups can each secure US$10,000 in seed funding. The programme is for women-led, tech-enabled startups in Kenya; confirm the full current criteria in the application form before sharing a deadline.Standard Chartered Women in Tech UgandaUS$50,000 equity-free grants for five Ugandan women-led venturesWorks in AfricaUgandaChecked 20 Aug 2026: 2026 applications closed on 15 May; the programme continues through October. The top five enterprises receive US$50,000 equity-free catalytic grants and each selected business can access a US$2,000 technical-assistance fund. Eligibility includes a full-time woman co-founder, fewer than 10 employees, annual revenue below US$100,000, Uganda incorporation/headquarters/operations, a tech-enabled model and market validation.Startup Tunisia (Startup Act Label)The official label unlocking Tunisia's startup benefitsWorks in AfricaTunisiaChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications run in periodic labelling sessions through the Startup Portal, which is the central access point for both Label and Pre-Label. Eligibility: the company must be no older than 8 years, have fewer than 100 employees, have more than two thirds of shareholders as founders or angel/hedge fund investors, and run an innovative, preferably technology-based business model that meaningfully boosts economic growth. The process is entirely digital - register, complete the form and upload legal documents.Student Venture Capital Grant (S-VCG)Up to ₦50 million for Nigerian student-led STEMMS venturesWorks in AfricaNigeriaChecked 20 Aug 2026: APPLY NOW is live on the official portal; no deadline is displayed. Funding: up to ₦50m, milestone-based and equity-free. Lead applicant must be enrolled in a Nigerian tertiary institution at 300 level or above; lower-level students can join a qualifying team. Venture must be CAC-registered, beyond proof of concept and in science, technology, engineering, mathematics or medical sciences.Technology Innovation Agency (TIA)Government risk capital for South African technology developmentWorks in AfricaSouth AfricaChecked 8 Sep 2026: TIA offers several funding instruments across the innovation pipeline, with amounts and criteria set per instrument - see the Funding Solutions section and the published application checklist. TIA acts as active funder, connector and facilitator, attracting late-stage commercialisation funding and reducing barriers to expensive skills and equipment.Techstars AfricaGlobal accelerator with dedicated Africa programsWorks in AfricaNigeria, KenyaChecked 21 Sep 2026: the standard investment rose to US$220,000 for a three-month programme, structured as US$20,000 for 5% equity plus US$200,000 through an uncapped SAFE carrying a most-favoured-nation clause, which converts on the terms of your next priced round. Applications run in batches rather than continuously; the Spring 2026 batch closed on 29 November 2025. Accelerator participation in African funding rounds has thinned considerably over the past year, so confirm there is an active Africa-relevant programme before planning around it.The Baobab Network$100,000 into early-stage African startupsWorks in AfricaNigeria, KenyaChecked 24 Sep 2026: applications run through the site on an ongoing basis. Award: reported at US$50,000 to US$100,000 for 12.5% equity, plus a 12-week accelerator and partner network access. The site does not publish the equity figure, so confirm it in writing before committing; 12.5% for US$50,000 values the company at US$400,000, which is a low price for a company with traction. More than 65 startups backed across 16 African countries. Requires an MVP with early traction and an African-based, African-led team.The Pollination ProjectUp to $500 seed grants, no registration requiredWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: rolling, apply any time. Award: up to US$500. Requirements: annual budget under US$50,000, total project cost under US$10,000, work already underway, no prior TPP grant, and - importantly - no paid staff, which rules out using it to hire. You must be able to receive USD by wire or PayPal, and international applicants must submit a reference for the application to count as complete.Tholoana Enterprise ProgrammeLong-form business support and seed funding for South African SMEsWorks in AfricaSouth AfricaChecked 20 Aug 2026: this year's applications are closed; the official page has a notification form for the next annual intake. The programme prioritises entrepreneurs who are women, youth, based in rural areas or living with disabilities. Recent criteria have required an operating business, full-time founder commitment and qualifying South African ownership; re-check the next call before applying.TIEC Start IT Incubation ProgrammeUp to EGP 480,000 in grants and services for Egyptian tech startupsWorks in AfricaEgyptChecked 8 Sep 2026: Start IT runs in recurring rounds - the 47th round has recently inducted a new batch, so watch the TIEC site for the next intake. ITIDA has expanded the support package to a total of EGP 480,000 per startup, up from EGP 180,000, including grants and in-kind services. TIEC also runs the CREATIVA Innovation Hubs offering free or heavily subsidised coworking across nearly all governorates.TIEC Technology Entrepreneurship AcceleratorA free 12-week government-funded accelerator in EgyptWorks in AfricaEgyptChecked 8 Sep 2026: the programme runs in numbered rounds - round 16 is the most recently announced, so check the TIEC site for the current call. Structure: 12 hands-on workshops and 6 mentoring sessions over 12 weeks, covering business planning, technology milestones and investor pitch preparation. It is government funded and comes at no cost to the entrepreneurs. Participating startups receive cash funding, consultancy, software and hardware tools, marketing support, office workspace and expert mentoring. It runs across five governorates - Cairo, Alexandria, Mansoura, Assiut and Menia - with expansion planned.timbuktoo CreativeTech LaunchpadOpen rolling incubation for African CreativeTech startupsWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 20 Aug 2026: OPEN on a rolling basis with quarterly cohorts; the first cohort begins September 2026. Eligible startups must be based in Africa or target African markets, have a prototype/MVP, a committed team, a scalable technology-enabled solution for the creative economy, and fit areas such as gaming, animation, music, film, design, creator platforms, immersive tech or AI creative tools. This call promises incubation and pathways to capital, not a guaranteed cash grant.timbuktoo MineTech AcceleratorUNDP-backed acceleration for African mining technologyWorks in AfricaZambia, South AfricaChecked 8 Sep 2026: runs as periodic calls announced through AfriLabs and the hosting hub in Zambia - check the AfriLabs call page for the current window. This sits inside the wider timbuktoo initiative, which aims to mobilise US$1 billion in catalytic and commercial capital across African startup hubs, with AfriLabs as implementing partner. As with other timbuktoo hubs, incubated startups can access 1:1 matching through Catalytic Africa.timbuktoo Pan-African AgriTech Incubation ProgrammeRolling quarterly intakes for African agritech startupsWorks in AfricaGhana, NigeriaChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications are accepted on a rolling basis with quarterly cohorts - the first intake was May 2026 and subsequent groups follow every three months, so a window is normally close. Selected startups join the timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation Network of incubators, innovation hubs, mentors and investors. Focus: solutions strengthening agricultural productivity, food systems, farmer incomes and climate-resilient agriculture. timbuktoo-incubated startups can unlock 1:1 matching funds from Catalytic Africa alongside business angel investment.Tony Elumelu Foundation$5,000 grant for African entrepreneursWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 21 Sep 2026: the 2026 cycle closed on 1 March 2026. Applications run through TEFConnect and the window has historically opened in January, so treat the new year as the point to prepare rather than apply now. The award is US$5,000 in non-refundable seed capital plus a 12-week training programme and mentor access. It is a grant: no equity is taken and nothing is repaid.UNICEF Venture FundUp to $100,000 equity-free for open-source frontier techWorks in AfricaNigeria, GhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: the fund runs narrowly themed calls rather than a general window - recent rounds covered blockchain and climate/health, and closed in March and May 2026. No call in governance or general software is announced. Award: up to US$100,000 equity-free plus 12 to 18 months of mentorship; a recent round disbursed in cryptocurrency rather than fiat. Open-source licensing of everything funded is mandatory.Ventures PlatformNigeria's most active early-stage VCWorks in AfricaNigeriaChecked 21 Sep 2026: actively deploying Fund II, which reached final close at US$84 million in August 2026. This is a venture fund, not a grant: first cheques run up to US$3 million with an average around US$1.5 million, and the fund targets a 10% to 12% stake at entry, leading rounds from pre-seed to Series A with capital reserved for follow-ons. There is no public application form; entry is through warm introduction.Villgro AfricaSeed funding and incubation for African healthtechWorks in AfricaKenya, UgandaChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications are open through the innovators portal on the site. Track record: over US$3.3 million in seed funding deployed, with portfolio companies attracting more than US$49 million in follow-on funding. Whether support comes as grant or equity is not published - confirm terms before applying.Visa Africa AcceleratorA free three-month fintech accelerator with ~$200,000 in perksWorks in AfricaNigeria, KenyaChecked 8 Sep 2026: Cohort 7 is actively accepting applications. Since launching in 2023 the programme has supported over 100 startups across 35+ countries. Format: hybrid - an onboarding week, 10 virtual focus weeks, an investor week and an in-person Demo Day, with accommodation covered for Demo Day. Benefits: expert mentorship, training across product, marketing, finance and sales, Visa fintech training and developer portal access, roughly US$200,000 in product perks from 100+ vendors, and investment consideration for up to half the cohort. Eligibility: seed to Series A with an MVP, market-tested traction, and a fit with one of six themes - payments, embedded finance, merchant tools, infrastructure, future finance, sustainability. Free to join; you cover your own travel.Visa Everywhere InitiativeUp to $50,000 in prizes for payments and commerce startupsWorks in AfricaNigeria, KenyaChecked 8 Sep 2026: runs as an annual competition - check the Africa page for the current round. Prizes: up to US$50,000 total, split US$25,000 to the winner, US$15,000 for second and US$10,000 for third, plus a separate US$10,000 social-impact prize across Saudi Arabia, Kenya and South Africa only. Startups must be registered in an African country to enter the Africa track. Finalists join a three-week virtual immersion programme with Visa experts, with mentorship and potential pilot collaboration.Westerwelle Young Founders ProgrammeA six-month fellowship with a funded week in BerlinWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications for the 2026 intake opened in January 2026 and closed on 31 March 2026; the window has been a stable January-to-March cycle, so expect a similar 2027 opening. The programme runs six months with international mentors, matched buddies and expert sessions, plus travel to the Berlin conference.Women in Tech Zambia$10,000 equity-free seed grants for women-led Zambian businessesWorks in AfricaZambiaChecked 8 Sep 2026: the 2026 cycle opened 25 March and closed 13 May 2026; the programme runs 8 June 2026 to 12 February 2027 with Demo Day on 24 September 2026. Award: five selected businesses receive US$10,000 each in equity-free seed funding. Eligibility is specific: a legally registered microbusiness with fewer than 10 employees, based and operating in Zambia, generating revenue under US$100,000 a year, at least one female founder with an equal or majority stake, a minimum viable product, under US$500,000 raised in equity, and demonstrated customer validation.Y CombinatorThe world's most valuable startup acceleratorWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 24 Sep 2026: runs batches rather than rolling applications; the Fall 2026 batch closed on 27 July 2026 and ran October to December in San Francisco. The deal is standardised and worth reading closely: US$125,000 for 7% on a post-money SAFE, plus US$375,000 on an uncapped SAFE with a most-favoured-nation clause, US$500,000 in total. The 7% is fixed regardless of your valuation, which is expensive if you are already well along and cheap if you are not. Nigeria and Kenya hold the highest concentration of YC-backed companies in Africa, and the alumni network is the real asset for fundraising, hiring and B2B sales afterwards.YouStart GhanaTraining and startup capital for young Ghanaian entrepreneursWorks in AfricaGhanaChecked 8 Sep 2026: applications run through the dedicated YouStart portal; intake windows are announced periodically. Under the Ghana Jobs and Skills Project component, GEA is mandated to provide entrepreneurship training to 50,000 youth and early adults. Funding amounts and terms vary by track, so confirm on the portal before applying.YouthADAPT Challenge$100,000 grants for youth-led climate adaptation businessesWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: runs as an annual call; check the GCA page for the current window. Award: US$100,000 grant per winner plus tailored business development support through a 12-month accelerator. Recent editions also connect winners to domestic debt and equity funders through investor deal rooms.Zayed Sustainability PrizeA share of US$7.2 million across six sustainability categoriesWorks in AfricaPan-AfricanChecked 8 Sep 2026: the 2027 cycle opened submissions in January 2026 and closed in June 2026, with the awards ceremony in January 2027; the next window normally opens the following January. The 2027 prize fund rose to US$7.2 million spread across six categories.
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