Accelerators for African founders (2026)

Interledger Local Impact Mini-Grant 2026

Call For Applications: Interledger Local Impact Mini-Grant 2026 (Up to $3,000)

Applications are open for the Interledger Local Impact Mini-Grant 2026, an opportunity supporting community-led projects that promote open payments, digital financial access, financial inclusion, and digital financial infrastructure. The programme provides flexible funding to individuals and community organisations working on practical initiatives that help their communities understand, explore, and benefit from more inclusive digital financial systems. Grant Benefits Selected applicants can receive: $500 to $3,000 in grant funding Flexible funding for eligible project activities Access to Interledger resources and the broader open payments community Opportunities to connect with practitioners working on digital financial access globally. Who Can Apply? The programme is open to individuals and organisations worldwide, including: Individual community leaders Civil society organisations Cooperatives Community and innovation hubs Hackerspaces and open-source communities Incubators and accelerators Startup communities Fintech and financial-access communities Social enterprises and mission-aligned businesses Research and policy groups. Projects serving communities in the Global South, r

Eligibility: eligible project activities Access to Interledger resources and the broader open payments community Opportunities to connect with practitioners working on digital financial access globally

Deadline

November 11, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Grant 2026, an opportunity supporting community-led projects that promote open payments, di

Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA)

NIMASA Blue Economy Accelerator Programme (NIMASA-BEAP), National Call for Innovators

NIMASA's national accelerator for Nigerian maritime and blue economy innovators opens its call on 5 October and closes on 13 November 2026, with cash awards, a 12-week accelerator and a Demo Day investor showcase.

Eligibility: Nigerian citizens aged 18 and above

Deadline

November 13, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

Prizes include cash awards, accelerator placement, mentorship packages, cloud credits, co-working space and introductions to investors. The portal states that the full prize structure will be published with the call for innovators, so no amount is confirmed yet.

SAIS Accelerator

SAIS Livestock Investment Readiness Programme 2027

A one year, equity free investment readiness programme for African dairy and aquaculture startups, with up to €15,000 in technical assistance, a Scale-up Grant of up to €40,000 and working capital loans of up to €50,000.

Eligibility: African start-ups building a technology-driven venture in dairy or aquaculture that strengthens livestock value chains across Africa

Deadline

November 15, 2026

Location

Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya

Funding or benefit

Up to €15,000 in technical assistance budget, a SAIS Scale-up Grant of up to €40,000 for eligible community startups, and access to revolving working capital loans of up to €50,000 with 9-month maturity at 1.5% interest.

ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau

ITU Regional Initiative Accelerator, First Call for Project Ideas

The ITU Development Bureau invites Member States to submit project ideas aligned with the 2026 to 2029 Regional Initiatives on innovation, with ITU Academy training, in-person co-design workshops and in-kind support in 2027.

Eligibility: ITU Member States are invited to submit project ideas aligned with the Regional Initiatives on innovation listed in the call

Deadline

November 15, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

No cash award is printed. Support is in kind: ITU Academy online training on the accelerator methodology, an in-person co-design workshop for one member of each selected team, and additional in-kind support in 2027 for resource mobilisation and implementation planning.

Melton Foundation

Melton Foundation Global Solvers Accelerator 2027

A ten month, cohort based leadership and peer learning programme for social impact practitioners aged 20 to 35, bringing 15 to 20 changemakers from around the world together to strengthen the community projects they already lead.

Eligibility: Emerging changemakers aged 20 to 35 who are actively driving social impact in their communities

Deadline

November 16, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Participants pay a programme fee of USD 900, payable only once selected into the programme, and scholarships covering 20, 50 or 80 percent of that fee are available to participants with proven need. The fees strengthen the programme and seed a shared GSA Fund that is awarded to participant projects towards the end of the programme. The week long Global Solvers Co Lab in Germany from 3 to 10 July 2027 is fully funded.

Unearthodox

Unearthodox Exploration Co-Lab 2027 for Systems Innovators

A 10 month online incubation programme, running from 1 March to 31 December 2027, for innovators working on the deeper causes of nature and society challenges. Selected initiatives receive a CHF 10,000 grant plus tailored support worth up to an estimated CHF 60,000. Applications close 16 November 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT plus 1.

Eligibility: An early stage initiative at the intersection of environmental and societal change

Deadline

November 16, 2026

Location

Global

Funding or benefit

A CHF 10,000 grant for each selected initiative, plus access to a shared pool of tailored non-financial support estimated at up to CHF 60,000 in value. The non-financial support is not a cash award.

AUDA-NEPAD, COMESA regional initiative funded by the Government of New Zealand

AUDA-NEPAD Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator 2027

A COMESA regional accelerator for African-owned, growth-stage agribusinesses, offering advisory support, AfCFTA trade facilitation, investment readiness and potential access to programme investment funding.

Eligibility: Legally registered and operational in a COMESA member state

Deadline

November 18, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

No grant, equity or cash amount is published for this cohort. The programme lists potential access to HGSA-A investment funding as a benefit, without a figure. The USD 100,000 on the eligibility page is an annual turnover benchmark, not an award.

UNDP Nigeria, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation

Young Africa Innovates Cohort 2, UNDP Nigeria and Mastercard Foundation

A free, sector-agnostic youth innovation programme run by UNDP Nigeria with the Mastercard Foundation across seven states for 2026 and 2027: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Taraba. If you are aged 18 to 35 and live in one of those seven states, you can take your solution through Bootcamp, Incubation and Market Access, the same pathway that moved 1,348 solutions through Bootcamp and incubated 205 ventures in Cohort 1. Applications opened on 1 September 2026 and close on 18 November 2026.

Eligibility: You are aged 18 to 35 at the time of application

Deadline

November 18, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

No application fee. Support comes as in-state Bootcamp training, hands-on incubation, mentorship and connection to markets, capital and partners.

International Trade Centre, through the Ye! Community

Youth Ecopreneur Programme (YECO) 2026/27 for Young Green Founders

A global programme from the International Trade Centre's Ye! Community that gives young founders under 35 a ten week bootcamp, an accelerator with equity free seed funding of up to $100,000 USD for land restoration, coaching from business experts and a $10,000 USD award prize.

Eligibility: Applicants must be under the age of 35 by the application deadline

Deadline

November 22, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Equity free seed funding pool of up to $100,000 USD for the Land Restoration accelerator cohort, and a $10,000 USD Youth Ecopreneur Award prize per category.

Hive Colab, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation

Hive Colab Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship 2027

Cohort 2 of a 12 month growth fellowship with a catalytic, equity free milestone grant, for locally founded, growth stage EdTech ventures building inclusive learning solutions in Uganda.

Eligibility: Locally founded and locally led, with leadership and decision-making rooted in Uganda

Deadline

November 26, 2026

Location

Uganda

Funding or benefit

Catalytic milestone-based, equity-free grant alongside the fellowship.

Orange Corners Nigeria (FATE Foundation)

Orange Corners Nigeria Incubation Programme Cohort 16 for Young Entrepreneurs

Orange Corners Nigeria, implemented by FATE Foundation with support from the Kingdom of the Netherlands, is selecting Cohort 16 of its six month incubation programme for young entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35. Participants get enterprise training, advisory, mentorship and access to up to 30,000 euros in funding support for prototype development and testing.

Eligibility: Aged 18 to 35

Deadline

November 30, 2026

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

Access to up to 30,000 euros in funding support for prototype development and testing.

UN Global Compact

UN Global Compact Business and Human Rights Accelerator 2027 for Companies of All Sizes

A three month guided programme that helps companies turn their commitment to human rights and labour rights into a practical action plan. The 2027 cohort runs from February 2027, applications close 30 November 2026, and African companies can join through the Africa track or the global track.

Eligibility: Companies with a foundational understanding of human rights and labour rights that are ready to put it into practice

Deadline

November 30, 2026

Location

Global

Funding or benefit

This is a learning and implementation programme, not a funding call. The programme page does not state a participation fee.

VentureLab

VentureLab Founder Programme, 27 January to 2 April 2027 cohort

A fully virtual, free founder programme running a curated global cohort from 27 January to 2 April 2027, with applications closing 1 December 2026 at 11:59pm GMT+8.

Eligibility: Any early-stage founder, anywhere in the world, preferably with an MVP or product

Deadline

December 1, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

The programme is free to join. The page prints no grant, equity or cash figure, the offer is mentorship, frameworks and peer support.

INSEAD AI Venture Lab

INSEAD AI Founder Sprint 2027

A free, 10 week fully virtual startup program with Demo Days, running 27 January to 2 April 2027. Applications close 1 December 2026, with no fees and no equity taken.

Eligibility: Early stage founders anywhere in the world

Deadline

December 1, 2026

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Free program, no fees and no equity taken.

UNDP Timbuktoo Launchpad

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

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

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

Grow Enterprise Africa (GEA) SME

Call For Applications: Grow Enterprise Africa (GEA) SME Accelerator Programme

Applications are open for the Grow Enterprise Africa (GEA) SME Accelerator Programme , an opportunity designed to support small and medium-sized enterprises with the knowledge, tools, and guidance needed to strengthen their businesses and achieve sustainable growth. The programme is aimed at entrepreneurs looking to improve their business operations, develop stronger growth strategies, and build the capacity required to take their businesses to the next level. Programme Benefits Selected participants may gain access to: Business growth and development training Practical support for strengthening business operations Expert guidance and mentorship Entrepreneurial skills development Networking opportunities Support to improve business readiness for future growth and opportunities. Who Can Apply? The programme is designed for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) seeking to: Strengthen their business operations Improve their growth strategies Build capacity for expansion Access practical business development support. Interested applicants should review the official application form for the specific eligibility criteria and requirements. Why This Matters Many small businesses strugg

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

Halcyon

Halcyon Open Application: Apply Year Round to Join a Global Community of Impact Driven Founders

A year round route into the Halcyon founder community. Submit one short eligibility application for a venture built around social, environmental or economic impact, and a pitch deck of up to 15 slides, and Halcyon reviews it on a rolling basis for fellowship invitations.

Eligibility: Founders of ventures designed to create social, environmental or economic impact.

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

No funding amount is stated for the eligibility application. Support offered through Halcyon fellowships varies by programme.

AU-Startups

AU-Startups Dealflow, Pre-Seed to Series A Pitch Call

A rolling pitch call that routes African tech founders raising a Pre-seed, Seed or Series A round of between $25K and $1M in front of investors actively writing cheques into African tech, after an editorial screen.

Eligibility: Raising a Pre-seed, Seed or Series A round

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

No fixed award: accepted companies are routed to investors writing cheques into African tech for rounds between $25K and $1M.

InvestoVilla Pipeline Development

Call For Applications: InvestoVilla Pipeline Development Program for Entrepreneurs (IPDPE) 2026 Pilot Cohort for African Founders

Applications are now open for the 2026 Pilot Cohort of the InvestoVilla Pipeline Development Program for Entrepreneurs (IPDPE) , a practical investment-readiness and fundraising support program designed to help founders building ventures for African markets become more attractive to investors and better prepared to raise capital. Unlike many startup programs that focus primarily on entrepreneurship training or pitch competitions, IPDPE is designed for entrepreneurs preparing to raise investment or build ventures capable of successfully navigating investor due diligence and competing for funding opportunities. Developed by InvestoVilla , a founder-investor platform being built by AM-Steve House, the program equips founders with the practical knowledge, tools, and support needed to strengthen their fundraising readiness and investor engagement. About the Program Access to capital remains one of the biggest challenges facing African entrepreneurs. As investors become increasingly selective and due diligence standards continue to rise, founders are expected to demonstrate stronger business fundamentals long before securing funding. Advertisement Rather than promising investment, IPDPE

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

ODF (One Day Fellowship for solo founders), listed with The Startup Opportunity

ODF Solo Founder Program, Fall 2026 Cohort

A week-long, equity-free founder experience in San Francisco built for solo founders building without a co-founder, with $800k+ in perks and a lifelong community. Applications for the Fall 2026 cohort are open now.

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

United States

Funding or benefit

Equity-free. The source states $800k+ in perks rather than a cash investment.

Jasiri

Jasiri Talent Investor Cohort 9 for Food Systems Entrepreneurs in East Africa

A 13 month, fully covered venture-building programme for Kenyan, Rwandan and Ethiopian entrepreneurs who want to create new food systems ventures, with up to USD 28,000 in milestone-gated venture creation funding.

Eligibility: You are a citizen of Kenya, Rwanda or Ethiopia, whether you live at home or in the diaspora

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

USD 30 communication support during the one month Jasiri Jumpstart phase. USD 250 per month living support for the three months of the Residential Intensive. Up to USD 3,000 per team for prototyping and testing at the market validation stage. USD 28,000 venture creation grant per venture, disbursed in three milestone-gated tranches. Funds are released in local currencies, Rwandan Francs, Kenyan Shillings or Ethiopian Birr, using a predetermined annual exchange rate.

Axis Sprint 001

Call For Applications: Axis Sprint 001 Accelerator – 12-Week Venture-Building Programme for Startups

Applications are now open for the Axis Sprint 001 Accelerator , a 12-week venture-building programme designed to help early-stage startups validate their business models, accelerate growth, and become investment-ready. The programme provides founders with structured support through mentorship, practical venture-building sessions, and access to a network of entrepreneurs, investors, and ecosystem partners to help them scale sustainable businesses. Programme Benefits Selected startups will receive: A 12-week venture-building experience Expert mentorship from experienced founders and industry professionals Business model validation and growth support Investor-readiness training Access to a network of founders, mentors, and investors Practical guidance on product development, go-to-market strategy, and scaling Opportunities to showcase their startups to potential partners and investors. Who Can Apply? The programme is designed for: Early-stage startups Startup founders Entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas Teams building scalable ventures Businesses seeking mentorship and investment readiness support. Applicants should review the official application page for the complete eligib

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

UNDP timbuktoo

timbuktoo LaunchPad for HealthTech Startups by UNDP Africa, incubation through accredited African hubs

UNDP's timbuktoo initiative, through its HealthTech Hub in Kigali, opens the timbuktoo LaunchPad to HealthTech startups anywhere in Africa. Selected startups are incubated by an accredited hub, mentored and connected to a continental network, with applications taken on a rolling basis.

Eligibility: Be based in Africa or building solutions targeting African healthcare markets

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

The call publishes no grant or investment amount. It lists incubation, mentorship, network access and investment readiness support, and states that pathways to acceleration and early stage investment are access to opportunities rather than a guaranteed grant, investment or acceleration place.

Wema Bank Hackaholics 2026

Call For Applications: Wema Bank Hackaholics 2026 |Up to ₦200m Prizes Funding, Mentorship and Business Support for African Innovators

Applications are open for Wema Bank Hackaholics 2026 , the bank’s flagship open-innovation programme supporting startups, innovators, developers, designers, creatives and problem-solvers across Africa . This year’s edition, themed “Powering Possibilities,” provides different pathways for participants at different stages—from people developing an idea to founders with existing products and organisations tackling social challenges. What Participants Can Gain Hackaholics provides selected participants with opportunities for: Funding and growth support Expert mentorship Business development support Strategic partnerships Market access Visibility within the innovation ecosystem Community and networking opportunities Participation in an accelerator programme for selected participants. The programme is free to apply and participate in , with no registration fees or hidden participation costs. Who Can Apply? Everyone is welcome to apply , including: Young entrepreneurs Startup founders Developers Designers Product thinkers Technology enthusiasts Students Professionals Creatives Social innovators. You do not need to be a programmer or have a Computer Science degree to participate. ( Hackaho

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

Lagos State Begins

Lagos State Begins Accelerator Training to Expand SME Access to Single-Digit Loans

The Lagos State Government has commenced a three-day accelerator training programme to prepare organisations that will support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in accessing affordable financing under the Lagos State Access to Finance for SMEs through Cooperatives (LASMECO) programme. The training, organised by the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment in collaboration with the Bank of Industry (BoI) and Sterling Bank Plc., is aimed at equipping selected accelerator organisations with the knowledge and practical skills required to recruit, screen, prepare and support SMEs seeking access to single-digit loans. Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the Permanent Secretary of the ministry, Babatunde Onigbanjo, said the programme has moved from planning to implementation following the release of the Lagos State Government’s counterpart funding. Represented by the Director of Administration and Human Resources, Adeniyi Oladipupo, Onigbanjo said participants would be trained on the programme’s objectives, loan application process, beneficiary recruitment, monitoring and reporting, as well as the cooperative model that underpins LASMECO. He described the workshop a

Eligibility: eligible SMEs for financing

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

up to ₦10 million at a fixed annual interest rate of nine per cent through registered coo

Botswana Tech

Call For Applications: Botswana Tech Fund 2026 for Southern Africa Businesses

Applications are now open for the Botswana Tech Fund (BTF) , a multi-stage venture capital fund investing in technology and tech-enabled businesses across Southern Africa . Launched to accelerate the region’s digital economy, the Botswana Tech Fund supports founders from the earliest stages of innovation through growth-stage expansion. The fund invests in companies building Africa’s digital infrastructure while providing strategic guidance, mentorship, and access to regional markets. Funding & Programme Benefits Successful startups will receive: Pre-seed investment ranging from £25,000 to £100,000 through the Accelerator Programme Growth-stage investments for Seed to Series C companies Investor readiness support Product development and go-to-market guidance One-on-one coaching from experienced operators and investors Access to enterprise customers across Southern Africa Founder mentoring and peer learning Access to a partnership network offering over US$1.5 million in startup credits Support for regional expansion and fundraising. Who Can Apply? The fund is seeking: Technology startups Tech-enabled businesses Digital infrastructure companies Founders based in Southern Africa Compan

Eligibility: Who Can Apply

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding & Programme Benefits Successful startups will receive: Pre-seed investment ranging from £25,000 to £100,000 through the Accelerator Programme Growth-stage investments for Seed to S

YouthConnekt Africa Export

Call for Applications: YouthConnekt Africa Export Accelerator 2026 Supports Young Entrepreneurs to Expand Across African Markets

Applications are now open for the YouthConnekt Africa Export Accelerator 2026 , a growth-focused programme designed to support young entrepreneurs with established businesses who are ready to expand beyond their domestic markets and explore opportunities across Africa. The Export Accelerator is designed to help youth-led enterprises strengthen their export readiness, improve competitiveness and overcome some of the challenges involved in expanding into new African markets. The 2026 programme is open to young entrepreneurs and youth-led businesses in Rwanda, Uganda, Senegal, The Gambia, Zambia and Zimbabwe . The initiative is implemented by YouthConnekt Africa in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the African Union (AU) and aligns with efforts to increase youth participation in intra-African trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). What the YouthConnekt Africa Export Accelerator Offers Selected entrepreneurs will receive support designed to help them prepare their businesses for regional expansion and cross-border trade. Advertisement The programme will focus on helping participating businesses: Strengthen their export capacity

Eligibility: requirements

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding varies

Alchemist Accelerator

Alchemist Accelerator Flagship Program

A six month accelerator for enterprise and B2B startups, with applications rolling. The program lists $450,000+ in perks and an optional small cash investment with average investment proceeds to the company of $30,000 net of the tuition fee offset.

Eligibility: Technical teams selling to enterprises, ideally with pilots or customers

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Optional small cash investment on founder friendly terms, most often a SAFE, with average investment proceeds to the company of $30,000 net of the tuition fee offset, plus $450,000+ in perks.

Ideation Hub Africa African Masterclass Series 6.0 Impact

Call For Applications: Ideation Hub Africa African Masterclass Series 6.0 Impact Accelerator For 2,500+ African Changemakers

The African Masterclass Series 6.0 — themed “The Impact Accelerator: Funding, Technology, Innovation, AI & Leadership for the Digital Age” — is a mini-MBA style Pan-African Program designed to help changemakers, social innovators, Policy makers, CSR Leaders, Tech-Driven NGO Leaders, Community Mobilizers, Nonprofit Professionals, Impact-Driven Startups and Founders, Youth-Led Organizations and Activists, Development Practitioners, Donor Agencies, Advocacy Specialists, Sustainability Champions, Data and Research Analysts in the Social Sector, Social Impact Investors, Civil Society Organization (CSO) Leaders, Faith-Based Development Leaders, Gender Advocates, Digital Transformation Specialists in Development and Impact-Driven Individuals to launch deep before the end of the year. Ideation Hub Africa is excited to announce that applications are officially open for the African Masterclass Series 6.0 (AMS 6.0) — a bold, FREE 12-week Impact Accelerator designed to equip 2,500 changemakers, social innovators, social impact leaders, and NGOs across the continent with future-ready skills in funding, technology, AI, innovation, and leadership. Themed “The Impact Accelerator: Funding, Technolo

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Africa

Funding or benefit

Funding, Technology, Innovation, AI & Leadership for the Digital Age” — is a mini-MBA style Pan-African Program designed to help changemakers, socia

Heels and Tech

FemNest Lab Cohort 2.0: Five Week Venture Building Incubator for Women Solving Female and Family Health in Nigeria

Heels and Tech has opened applications for FemNest Lab Cohort 2.0, a five week incubator for women in Nigeria building solutions for female and family health. It runs on live workshops, expert mentorship and AI and no code training, and closes with a demo day in Lagos where ventures pitch to investors.

Eligibility: Women with a healthcare challenge they are passionate about solving.

Deadline

Timeline not announced

Location

Nigeria

Funding or benefit

The programme provides milestone based venture support, and top ventures are eligible for milestone based funding. The provider does not publish a fixed funding amount for Cohort 2.0.