Competition-based finance for rural agribusiness and energy ventures
An African development finance organisation that runs country and sector competitions offering grants, returnable grants, concessional debt and advisory support to businesses serving rural markets.
Use when
You run an agribusiness, renewable energy or rural financial services company and a competition is open in your country.
Skip when
You are a pure software or consumer-internet startup with no rural or agricultural angle, or no competition currently covers your market.
Status (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.
Equity-free acceleration plus up to $500,000 follow-on in Morocco
Kigali's venture studio and early-stage investor
Mini-MBA and seed prizes for Cameroonian women entrepreneurs
