May 2026 arrives with a packed calendar of opportunities for African entrepreneurs, technologists, educators, storytellers, climate innovators, and startup founders.
This month’s round-up of opportunities features fully funded leadership programmes in the United States, AI fellowships focused on public-interest innovation, renewable energy accelerators, fintech growth programmes, global startup competitions, and grants supporting education, healthcare, and social impact ventures.
We have curated some of the most competitive and high-impact opportunities currently open to Africans and Africa-focused innovators, with several deadlines closing within days.
Explore the opportunities below and submit your applications before the deadlines.
Orange Social Ventures Prize 2026 for African and Middle East Startups [Deadline: May 10]
Now in its 16th edition, the Orange Social Ventures Prize (OSVP) is one of the most recognised startup competitions across Africa and the Middle East. The 2026 edition targets startups leveraging AI, big data, and cybersecurity to tackle challenges in agriculture, education, health, and the environment.
Who Can Apply:
- Startups addressing social or environmental challenges with scalable, technology-driven solutions
- Ventures operating across Africa and the Middle East
Selected winners receive:
- €25,000 for 1st prize | €15,000 for 2nd prize | €10,000 for 3rd prize
- €20,000 for the International Women’s Prize
- Support through Orange Digital Centres and access to strategic partnerships, mentorship, and investor connections
AI for Good Fellowship 2026 for African Technologists Working on Ethical AI Solutions [Deadline: May 11]
The AI for Good Fellowship 2026 by Code for Africa (CfA), through the Digitalise Youth consortium, supports six African technologists in collaborating with Human Rights Defender organisations across the Sahel and neighbouring countries — building ethical AI tools for civic and public-interest work. Fellows may contribute to multilingual AI assistants, misinformation detection tools, and AI-supported policy interventions.
Ideal Candidates:
- African technologists with experience in AI modelling, machine learning, NLP, or computer vision
- Backgrounds in community-centred design, ethical AI, and open-source technologies
- Fluent in English, French, or Arabic with ties to eligible countries: Senegal, Mauritania, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad, Sudan, Guinea, Benin, Togo, Cameroon, South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia
Fellows gain access to:
- A monthly stipend of $500 over four months
- Mentorship from CfA’s TechLab and technical support through the DataLab and AI Sandbox
- Regional networks and a platform to showcase capstone projects internationally
Education Changemakers Program 2026 in East and Central Africa [Deadline: May 13]
The third cohort of the Education Changemakers Program (ECM) targets young educators, school leaders, and policy advocates working to improve education outcomes across East and Central Africa. Spearheaded by the Regional Leadership Centre East Africa at Kenyatta University in partnership with the Trevor Noah Foundation and supported by the Oak Foundation, the programme combines immersive in-person training with mentorship and collaborative learning.
Who This Is For:
- Individuals aged 18 to 35 actively working in or with the primary or secondary education sector
- First-time applicants not previously part of YALI RLC or the Mandela Washington Fellowship
- From eligible countries: Burundi, CAR, Republic of the Congo, DRC, Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda
Programme Benefits:
- In-person leadership training, mentorship, and coaching
- Access to a regional network of education changemakers
- Small grant opportunities to support local education initiatives
Eisenhower Fellowships Global Program 2027 — Fully Funded Leadership Opportunity in the USA [Deadline: May 15]
The Eisenhower Fellowships Global Program 2027 offers mid-career leaders a nearly six-week fully immersive experience in the United States — combining leadership development, high-impact project design, and access to a global network of over 1,900 active fellows across sectors and continents.
Eligibility:
- Mid-career professionals typically aged 32 to 45 with a strong track record of leadership and impact
- Highly proficient in English and open globally, with a preference for candidates from countries where the fellowship maintains an active presence
Successful applicants gain:
- A fully funded immersive leadership experience in the USA
- Opportunity to develop and implement a high-impact project
- Strategic connections with leaders, policymakers, and innovators worldwide
- Lifelong access to a prestigious international fellowship network
Young Innovation Leaders (YIL) Fellowship 2026 for Young African Innovators and Emerging Leaders [Deadline: May 16]
The YIL Fellowship 2026 is a flagship initiative of the Hutzpa Center for Innovation and Development, built for young professionals who are not simply talented but deeply committed to creating impact. Fellows receive the tools, mentorship, and network needed to lead change across technology, business, healthcare, engineering, and policy.
Who This Is For:
- Young professionals aged 20 to 35 with at least a bachelor’s degree
- Demonstrated expertise in a specialised field with strong leadership potential
- Those ready to challenge the status quo and create measurable change in their communities
Fellows receive:
- Structured mentorship and leadership development
- Tools and resources for driving transformative impact
- Access to a growing network of innovators and changemakers across Africa
RAISEAfrica 2026 Open Call for African Renewable Energy Entrepreneurs and Startups [Deadline: May 17]
The RAISEAfrica 2026 Open Call by the RES4Africa Foundation, implemented with support from Enel Green Power and the European Investment Bank, selects up to six African renewable energy entrepreneurs for structured acceleration, funding, and global ecosystem access. Each selected participant receives an entry contribution of €3,000 and competes for the Young Talent of the Year Award worth €5,000 to €10,000.
Who Can Apply:
- Individuals aged 18 to 35 who are African citizens or represent startups registered in Africa
- Developing solutions for the African renewable energy market at any stage
- Women are strongly encouraged to apply
Selected participants receive:
- €3,000 entry contribution and eligibility for the Young Talent of the Year Award
- Mentoring, fundraising support, and connections to key energy sector stakeholders
- Participation in international energy events and global ecosystem networks
Visa Accelerator Program Cohort 6 for African FinTech Startups [Deadline: May 17]
The Visa Accelerator Program Cohort 6 offers African fintech startups a structured pathway from early traction to scalable growth — through expert-led sessions, hands-on support, and direct access to Visa’s global ecosystem.
Who Should Apply:
- Seed to Series A fintech startups with an MVP or market-ready solution
- Startups with early traction operating in or expanding into African markets
The accelerator combines:
- Knowledge sessions across product design, marketing, finance, and sales
- One-on-one mentorship with experienced founders and industry experts
- Fintech-specific training with access to Visa’s developer tools and technical resources
- Connections to partners and key stakeholders within the fintech ecosystem
AUDA-NEPAD Home Grown Solutions Accelerator 2026 for African Healthcare and Climate Ventures [Deadline: May 19]
The Home Grown Solutions Accelerator 2026 by AUDA-NEPAD, supported by Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), opens its most expansive call yet — welcoming both healthcare and climate ventures for the first time.
Healthcare focus areas: Diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, digital health, maternal and child health, disease prevention, health workforce, and supply chain.
Climate focus areas: Clean energy and off-grid solutions, e-mobility and low-carbon logistics, waste management and circular economy, and nature-based solutions.
Who This Is For:
- For-profit ventures operating mainly in Africa with strong African leadership
- Healthcare ventures at growth or mature stage with clear market traction
- Climate ventures at early, growth, or mature stage with ambition to scale
Selected ventures receive:
- A customised four-month acceleration programme
- Investment readiness and market expansion support
- Access to a pan-African network of advisors, mentors, and potential partners
Trust by Design Fintech Challenge 2026 [Deadline: May 22]
The Trust by Design Fintech Challenge 2026, organised by Accion, recognises market-tested fintech solutions that improve safety, transparency, and trust — particularly for women who have been historically excluded from financial systems. The challenge awards one $50,000 Grand Prize and three $10,000 finalist awards, alongside recognition and investor visibility at a global level.
Eligible Applicants:
- Fintech companies, financial institutions, microfinance institutions, and technology providers
- Solutions already live in-market with measurable improvements in safety or customer trust
- Organisations using gender-disaggregated data and serving women customers in emerging markets
Pilots and prototypes are not eligible.
What winners receive:
- $50,000 Grand Prize | $10,000 each for three finalists
- Sponsored trip, airfare, and accommodation to the Fintech for Inclusion Global Summit 2026 in London
- Feature in a global industry toolkit and visibility among impact and commercial investors
Paris Peace Forum 2026 Call for Solutions for Organisations Addressing Global Challenges [Deadline: May 25]
The Paris Peace Forum 2026 Call for Solutions invites organisations worldwide to submit innovative projects tackling climate change, peace and security, sustainable development, and emerging technologies. Organisations from the Global South and multi-stakeholder initiatives are strongly encouraged to apply. The Forum takes place November 11–12, 2026, at the Palais de Chaillot, Paris.
Eligible Applicants:
- Private and public organisations, governments, civil society actors, and multi-stakeholder initiatives
- Projects addressing climate change, peace, sustainable development, or new technologies
- Global South organisations are particularly encouraged
Selected projects benefit from:
- International visibility and a platform to present at the Paris Peace Forum
- Access to a network of global experts and decision-makers
- Scale-up support — one full year of tailored assistance to grow impact
Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs) Uplift Programme Cohort 2 by GrowthAfrica [Deadline: May 25]
The ESO Uplift Programme Cohort 2 by GrowthAfrica supports 45 Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs) across Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Ghana, and Egypt over four years. Funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and implemented alongside the Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation and the Amahoro Coalition, the programme strengthens organisations that sit at the heart of Africa’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Who Can Apply:
- ESOs operating in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Zambia, Ghana, or Egypt
- Organisations supporting impactful enterprises and committed to strengthening their capacity and reach
Successful applicants gain:
- Tailored acceleration, capacity building, and strategic guidance
- Access to GrowthAfrica’s pan-African investor and partner network
- Peer learning with ESOs across the region and facilitated investment connections
“la Caixa” Foundation Child Survival Call 2026 for Organisations in Sub-Saharan Africa [Deadline: May 26]
The “la Caixa” Foundation Child Survival Call 2026 funds collaborative projects reducing maternal and child mortality across sub-Saharan Africa — aligned with SDG 3 and SDG 17. The Call supports networks of organisations working together on the ground across eight eligible countries.
Who Can Apply:
- Networks of three to five entities including at least one Spanish, Portuguese, or international nonprofit and at least one local entity from the country of implementation
- From eligible countries: Angola, Ethiopia, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Mozambique, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, and Uganda
Eligible project types:
- Maternal health — pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care
- Neonatal health — care for newborns through the first 28–30 days
- Child health — children aged one month to five years
Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship 2026 for Young Creatives in Africa, Europe, and the Diaspora [Deadline: May 29]
The Art4Change Storytelling Fellowship 2026, organised by the Africa-Europe Innovation Platform (AEIP) and implemented by The African Youth Café (TYC), brings together young creatives from June to December 2026 to document stories of youth innovation through writing, photography, video, audio, and digital content. All published work is featured on a dedicated digital platform with reach beyond the fellowship itself.
Who Can Apply:
- Young creatives aged 18 to 35 based in Africa, Europe, or the diaspora
- Interested in storytelling, media, or digital content creation
- Able to commit to six months of training and active content production
Fellows will receive:
- Structured online training in digital storytelling, writing, photography, and video production
- Continuous mentorship and editorial guidance from experienced practitioners
- A stipend covering transport, data, and fieldwork costs
- A platform for publishing and showcasing work to wider audiences
Agribusiness e-Academy 2026 Call for Submissions — Win Up to €2,000 for Your Agribusiness Idea [Deadline: May 31]
The Agribusiness e-Academy, organised by GIZ through the Agri-Business Facility for Africa, offers young agripreneurs across OACPS member states a free structured learning pathway that culminates in the submission of an AgriCanvas — a personalised business model canvas. The strongest submissions win €2,000 in funding, a tablet or laptop, or dedicated mentoring support.
Who Can Apply:
- Individuals aged 18 and above based in an OACPS member state
- Working on ideas in cocoa, maize, cashew, or livestock — cattle, sheep, or goats
The free learning pathway covers:
- Business Model Canvas for Agribusinesses
- Climate-Smart Agribusiness Adaptation
- Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness
What you can win:
- €2,000 in funding | A tablet or laptop | Dedicated mentoring support
Entrepreneurship World Cup 2026 — Global Startup Competition Offering $1,000,000 in Equity-Free Prizes [Deadline: May 31]
The Entrepreneurship World Cup (EWC) 2026 offers a total prize pool of $1,000,000 in fully equity-free awards across 12 winners, with the Global Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Beyond the prize money, EWC connects participants with venture capital firms, corporate partners, and soft-landing support into the MENA market — making it one of the most valuable competitions an entrepreneur can enter, regardless of where they place.
Three Dedicated Tracks:
🌱 Idea Stage — Concept Validation For entrepreneurs with a concept or early prototype looking to validate and begin building. Prizes: Grand Prize: $30,000 | Runner Up: $20,000
🚀 Early Stage — MVP & Traction For startups with a product in market generating early revenue and seeking momentum. Prizes: Grand Prize: $200,000 | Runner Up: $150,000 | 3rd Place: $90,000 | 4th Place: $50,000
📈 Growth Stage — Scaling & Revenue For established companies scaling operations and expanding into new markets. Prizes: Grand Prize: $160,000 | Runner Up: $100,000
Additional Benefits:
- Direct access to VCs and corporate partners
- Soft-landing support for scaling into Saudi Arabia and the MENA region
- One-on-one mentorship with industry leaders
- A global stage at the EWC Finals in Riyadh
