Funding & Growth Opportunities for African Businesses
Discover active grants, accelerators, fellowships, investment programmes and startup support opportunities across Africa.
Curated by LEAF for African founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders. Submit an OpportunityMEST AI Startup Program
Trains and invests in African software entrepreneurs and startups.
MEST AI Startup Program
Overview
Trains and invests in African software entrepreneurs and startups.
- Opportunity Type
- Accelerator
- Sector of Focus
- AI & Software Startups
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- July 20, 2026
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://mestaistartupprogram.smapply.us/prog/mest_ai_startup_program_class_of_2027/
Accelerate Africa Startup Programme 2026
Helps early-stage African startups scale through mentorship and investment opportunities.
Accelerate Africa Startup Programme 2026
Overview
Helps early-stage African startups scale through mentorship and investment opportunities.
- Opportunity Type
- Accelerator, Investment
- Sector of Focus
- Tech Startups
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- July 25, 2026
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://acceler8.africa/
- Source Link
- https://acceler8.africa/
ClimateLaunchpad Africa
Helps green startups refine and scale climate-focused innovations.
ClimateLaunchpad Africa
Overview
Trains and invests in African software entrepreneurs and startups.
- Opportunity Type
- Competition
- Sector of Focus
- ClimateTech
- Eligible Countries
- Angola, Cape Verde, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Madagascar, Morocco, Namibia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda
- Closing Date
- July 31, 2026
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://climatelaunchpad.org
- Source Link
- https://climatelaunchpad.org
Milken-Motsepe Prize
Supports breakthrough African innovations solving major development challenges.
Milken-Motsepe Prize
Overview
Supports breakthrough African innovations solving major development challenges.
- Opportunity Type
- Competition
- Sector of Focus
- Innovation
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- August 13, 2026
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://milkenmotsepeprize.org/circular-economy/
- Source Link
- https://milkenmotsepeprize.org/circular-economy/
Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme
Provides $5,000 seed funding and training for African entrepreneurs.
Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme
Overview
Provides $5,000 seed funding and training for African entrepreneurs.
- Opportunity Type
- Grant
- Sector of Focus
- SMEs
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- November 15, 2026
- Status
- Open
- Funding Amount
- $5,000 seed funding
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://www.tonyelumelufoundation.org/
- Source Link
- https://www.tonyelumelufoundation.org/
VC4A Venture Showcase Africa
Connects African startups with investors and funding opportunities.
VC4A Venture Showcase Africa
Overview
Connects African startups with investors and funding opportunities.
- Opportunity Type
- Investment Access
- Sector of Focus
- Startups
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://vc4a.com/
- Source Link
- https://vc4a.com/
Ashoka Changemaker Program
Supports social entrepreneurs driving systemic social change with fellowship and funding access.
Ashoka Changemaker Program
Overview
Supports social entrepreneurs driving systemic social change with fellowship and funding access.
- Opportunity Type
- Fellowship
- Sector of Focus
- Social Innovation
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://www.ashoka.org/en-ng
- Source Link
- https://www.ashoka.org/en-ng
Hanga Pitch Fest
Provides African innovators with pitching opportunities and investor exposure.
Hanga Pitch Fest
Overview
Provides African innovators with pitching opportunities and investor exposure.
- Opportunity Type
- Competition
- Sector of Focus
- Tech Startups
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://www.hangapitchfest.rw/#/
- Source Link
- https://www.hangapitchfest.rw/#/
IFC SheWins Africa
Supports women-led startups with investor readiness and business coaching.
IFC SheWins Africa
Overview
Supports women-led startups with investor readiness and business coaching.
- Opportunity Type
- Accelerator
- Sector of Focus
- Women-led Startups
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://www.ifc.org/en/home
- Source Link
- https://www.ifc.org/en/home
Acumen Fellows Program
Develops leadership skills for social impact leaders across Africa.
Acumen Fellows Program
Overview
Develops leadership skills for social impact leaders across Africa.
- Opportunity Type
- Fellowship
- Sector of Focus
- Social Impact
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://acumen.org/
- Source Link
- https://acumen.org/
AWS Activate for Startups
Provides cloud credits and technical support for startups using AWS.
AWS Activate for Startups
Overview
Provides cloud credits and technical support for startups using AWS.
- Opportunity Type
- Startup Credits
- Sector of Focus
- Tech
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Funding Amount
- Cloud credits
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://aws.amazon.com/startups/
- Source Link
- https://aws.amazon.com/startups/
Africa's Business Heroes Competition
Rewards outstanding African entrepreneurs with $300,000 funding and mentorship.
Africa's Business Heroes Competition
Overview
Rewards outstanding African entrepreneurs with $300,000 funding and mentorship.
- Opportunity Type
- Competition
- Sector of Focus
- Entrepreneurship
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Funding Amount
- $300,000 funding
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/
- Source Link
- https://africabusinessheroes.org/en/
GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize
Recognises young agribusiness innovators with $50,000 prize funding and exposure.
GoGettaz Agripreneur Prize
Overview
Recognises young agribusiness innovators with $50,000 prize funding and exposure.
- Opportunity Type
- Competition
- Sector of Focus
- Agribusiness
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Funding Amount
- $50,000 prize funding
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://gogettaz.africa/
- Source Link
- https://gogettaz.africa/
Village Capital Africa Program
Supports impact startups through mentorship and peer-learning programmes.
Village Capital Africa Program
Overview
Supports impact startups through mentorship and peer-learning programmes.
- Opportunity Type
- Accelerator
- Sector of Focus
- ImpactTechs
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://vilcap.com/
- Source Link
- https://vilcap.com/
Seedstars Africa Ventures
Invests in promising African startups and supports business growth.
Seedstars Africa Ventures
Overview
Invests in promising African startups and supports business growth.
- Opportunity Type
- Investment
- Sector of Focus
- Tech
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Funding Amount
- Investment and growth support
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://www.seedstars.com/community/entrepreneurs/
Villgro Africa Eye Health Accelerator
Helps health startups improve access to eye care solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa with catalytic capital and mentorship.
Villgro Africa Eye Health Accelerator
Overview
Helps health startups improve access to eye care solutions in Sub-Saharan Africa with catalytic capital and mentorship.
- Opportunity Type
- Accelerator
- Sector of Focus
- HealthTech
- Eligible Countries
- Sub-Saharan
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Funding Amount
- Catalytic capital
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://villgroafrica.org/innovators/innovators-business-incubation-program/
Norrsken Impact Accelerator 2026
Supports startups building technology solutions with social and environmental impact. A $125,000 investment is available for selected startups.
Norrsken Impact Accelerator 2026
Overview
Supports startups building technology solutions with social and environmental impact. A $125,000 investment is available for selected startups.
- Opportunity Type
- Accelerator, Investment
- Sector of Focus
- AgriTech, EdTech, Fintech, Medtech
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Funding Amount
- $125,000 investment
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://www.norrsken.org/
- Source Link
- https://www.norrsken.org/
Endeavor Entrepreneur Program
Supports high-growth entrepreneurs through global mentorship and networking.
Endeavor Entrepreneur Program
Overview
Supports high-growth entrepreneurs through global mentorship and networking.
- Opportunity Type
- Scale-up Network
- Sector of Focus
- High-Growth Startups
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://endeavor.org/
- Source Link
- https://endeavor.org/
Plug and Play Africa Accelerator
Connects startups with corporations, investors and innovation partners.
Plug and Play Africa Accelerator
Overview
Connects startups with corporations, investors and innovation partners.
- Opportunity Type
- Accelerator
- Sector of Focus
- Tech
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/
- Source Link
- https://www.plugandplaytechcenter.com/
NVIDIA Inception Program
Supports AI startups with technical tools, credits and training.
NVIDIA Inception Program
Overview
Supports AI startups with technical tools, credits and training.
- Opportunity Type
- Startup Programme
- Sector of Focus
- AI Startups
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Funding Amount
- Technical tools, credits and training
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/startups/
- Source Link
- https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/startups/
Halcyon Climate Fellowship
Supports climate innovators through residency and mentorship programmes.
Halcyon Climate Fellowship
Overview
Supports climate innovators through residency and mentorship programmes.
- Opportunity Type
- Fellowship
- Sector of Focus
- ClimateTech
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://halcyonaccelerator.org/
- Source Link
- https://halcyonaccelerator.org/
Global Good Fund Fellowship
Develops leadership capacity for social enterprise founders.
Global Good Fund Fellowship
Overview
Develops leadership capacity for social enterprise founders.
- Opportunity Type
- Fellowship
- Sector of Focus
- Social Enterprise
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://globalgoodfund.org/
- Source Link
- https://globalgoodfund.org/
SAIS Investment Readiness Program
Prepares African SMEs to attract investors and scale operations.
SAIS Investment Readiness Program
Overview
Prepares African SMEs to attract investors and scale operations.
- Opportunity Type
- Accelerator
- Sector of Focus
- Agric Startups
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://sais-accelerator.com/
- Source Link
- https://sais-accelerator.com/
Moonshot by TechCabal Pitch Competition
Gives startups visibility and access to investors at major tech events.
Moonshot by TechCabal Pitch Competition
Overview
Gives startups visibility and access to investors at major tech events.
- Opportunity Type
- Competition
- Sector of Focus
- Startups
- Eligible Countries
- Any
- Closing Date
- No deadline listed
- Status
- Open
- Last Verified Date
- June 13, 2026
- Official/Application Link
- https://moonshot.techcabal.com/
- Source Link
- https://moonshot.techcabal.com/
Know of a relevant grant, accelerator, fellowship or funding opportunity for African businesses?
Share it with LEAF for review and possible inclusion in this hub.
LEAF curates opportunities for informational purposes. Applicants should verify eligibility, deadlines and requirements directly on the official opportunity website before applying.