Are you looking to level up your ideas, fund your startup, or amplify your impact? We have curated for you some of the most exciting opportunities for African entrepreneurs, students, and changemakers. They include open calls, competitions, accelerators, and funding programmes.
Whether you’re building the next big tech solution, scaling your fashion brand, innovating in AI, or tackling global sustainability challenges, there’s an opportunity here for you.
The opportunities below are open for applications from late July to early September 2025. So, dive in, apply, and turn your vision into reality.
Renew Capital Venture Lab – 2025 Cohort [Deadline: Rolling]
Renew Capital is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Venture Lab Cohort. This initiative targets early-stage, African-led tech startups that are asset-light and scalable. The program combines flexible capital with tailored technical assistance to help founders grow rapidly.
- Investment range: $50,000 to $300,000 per startup.
- Support: Strategic business training, mentorship from industry leaders, and connections to a broad investor network.
- Ideal Candidates: Startups in sectors such as fintech, healthtech, edtech, and agtech seeking to scale across African markets
AfDB Fashionomics Africa Incubator & Accelerator [Deadline: July 25, 2025]
The African Development Bank’s Fashionomics Africa program offers fashion entrepreneurs across Africa the opportunity to scale their brands with expert mentorship, funding, and access to a global network.
- Focus on sustainability and profitability
- Access to $10,000 in funding and expert guidance
- Join a pan-African community of fashion changemakers.
- Incubator Program: For entrepreneurs with 0 to 3 years of experience managing their fashion business (registered or not)
- Accelerator Program: For entrepreneurs with over 3 years of experience managing their fashion business (registered or not).
ChallengeUS Future Leaders Competition [Deadline: July 25, 2025]
ChallengeUS invites students worldwide to participate in an essay competition centered on leadership, civic responsibility, and innovation. This platform provides global youth with a voice on the future of governance and public service.
ONE World Sustainability Awards [Deadline: July 31, 2025]
Launched by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), these prestigious awards recognize businesses and individuals making outstanding contributions to sustainable industrial development worldwide.
- Sustainable Supply Chains — Show how you are building more sustainable, resilient supply chains through emissions reduction, fair labour practices, responsible sourcing, or local value addition.
- Innovative Start-Ups — Are you a start-up with breakthrough technologies or business models shaping the industry of the future? This is your moment.
- Women in Industry — Businesses driving women’s empowerment, promoting women into technical and leadership roles, or championing women entrepreneurs are encouraged to apply.
Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI & Manufacturing [Deadline: July 31, 2025]
Africa Impact Fundraising (AIF) Grant [Deadline: July 31, 2025]
Applicants must be registered organizations (NGOs, CBOs, or social enterprises) based in any of the 55 African Union member states.
Benefits include:
- Access to foundational training on individual donor fundraising strategies
- Participation in a 30-day fundraising challenge with up to $5,000 USD in matching funds
- Opportunity for up to 10 top-performing organizations to attend a week-long, in-person workshop in Kigali, Rwanda
Google for Startups Growth Academy – AI for GovTech [Deadline: July 31, 2025]
- Startups based in Europe, the Middle East, or Africa (EMEA)
- Seed to Series A stage
- Using AI in public sector innovation — including Agriculture, cybersecurity, education, energy, housing, transportation, manufacturing.
Prototypes for Humanity Exhibition – Dubai 2025 [Deadline: August 1, 2025]
- Global exposure through leading media platforms
- Showcase your work in Dubai to top public and private stakeholders
- Access funding, partnerships, and expert venture-building support
- $100,000 in prizes and field trips for real-world validation
- Current university students (undergraduate or postgraduate)
- Recent graduates (within the past 2 years)
Visa Accelerator Program – Africa [Deadline: August 15, 2025]
- Seed to Series A startups operating in Africa.
- Teams with a minimum viable product (MVP) or market-ready solutions.
- Startups addressing innovative challenges aligned with Visa’s mission.
Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) [Deadline: August 15, 2025]
The Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) is Ireland’s flagship initiative supporting sustainable food systems by facilitating partnerships between Irish and African agri-food businesses.
Through matched grant funding, the programme enables companies to explore new markets, share expertise, and deliver meaningful impact for communities across Africa.
Eligible African countries: Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
FoundHers Labs Program [Deadline: August 18, 2025]
This 3-month hybrid program is designed to empower early-stage, tech-enabled businesses led by Black women entrepreneurs.
It combines in-person workshops, online learning, and one-on-one mentorship to help founders scale their businesses and prepare for venture capital funding.
Startup World Cup – Uganda Regional [Deadline: August 20, 2025]
Ugandan startups, here’s your shot to pitch for a chance to win a $1 million investment!
- A $1,000,000 investment prize
- Global exposure and access to leading investors, accelerators, and industry decision-makers.
MEST AI Startup Program 2026 [Deadline: August 22, 2025]
An intensive program for West African innovators looking to launch AI-powered businesses.
The MEST Africa AI Startup Program is a 12-month immersive experience designed to equip Africa’s most promising AI entrepreneurs with the technical, business, and leadership skills needed to build globally competitive AI startups.
Eligibility Criteria: Entrepreneurs aged 21–30, with a bachelor’s degree, diploma, or equivalent experience, demonstrated software development skills, a basic understanding of AI, strong interest in entrepreneurship, and must be a citizen of a West African country.
Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge [Deadline: August 29, 2025]
This initiative seeks to identify and support young leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs who are addressing critical social and environmental issues through youth-led projects and ventures.
- Applicants must be between 18 and 30 years old, with founders holding clear decision-making authority.
- Projects or startups must be 100% youth-led, addressing a clearly defined social or environmental issue with measurable impact.
- Initiatives must contribute to at least one UN Sustainable Development Goal.
