Opportunities to Apply for in January 2026 — For African Entrepreneurs and Changemakers

A new year brings renewed opportunity. In 2026, several leading institutions are inviting applications from African entrepreneurs, researchers, creatives, and community leaders.

This curated January edition highlights reputable grants, fellowships, accelerators, and scholarship programmes designed to equip African changemakers with the tools, networks, and resources needed to scale impact within their communities and sectors.

FemFocus Grants for Civil Society Organisations [Deadline: January 7]

FemFocus invites civil society organisations to submit proposals for initiatives that strengthen women’s economic inclusion, prevent and respond to gender-based violence, and advance women’s leadership in peacebuilding and conflict prevention.

Who Can Apply:

• Registered CSOs with experience in women’s rights, gender equality, peacebuilding, or GBV prevention

• Organisations operating in the target regions and countries listed under each funding window

• Entities able to demonstrate locally led approaches and community engagement

Key Benefits:

• €54.8m available for women’s entrepreneurship initiatives across select African countries

• €114.6m supporting GBV prevention and protection of Women Human Rights Defenders (WHRD)

• €39.8m for Women, Peace and Security programming

• Multi-year programme funding and institutional strengthening support

AU–EU Youth Action Lab: Call for Youth-Led Proposals [Deadline: January 7]

The AU–EU Youth Cooperation Hub is inviting applications for the 2026 Youth Action Lab, a programme that invests in youth-led organisations delivering practical solutions to social and economic challenges. Projects may focus on entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, climate action, social innovation, and youth participation in governance.

Who Can Apply:

• Youth-led organisations and initiatives

• Applicants engaged in entrepreneurship, innovation, advocacy, or youth employment

• Groups representing marginalised youth communities

Key Benefits:

• Access to three dedicated grant streams: Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Representation

• Capacity-building and learning exchanges

• Opportunities to engage regional and global policymakers

• Strengthened youth-to-youth collaboration across continents

Timbuktoo Incubator Network — Call for African Incubators [Deadline: January 10]

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)’s timbuktoo initiative is building one of Africa’s largest innovation ecosystems and is inviting incubators and accelerators to join its continental network. Selected partners will collaborate with timbuktoo hubs to support tech-driven startups, spur job creation, and connect founders to international investment opportunities.

Who Can Apply:

• Impact-driven incubators and accelerators operating in Africa

• Organisations with a proven track record supporting startups

• Teams aligned with inclusive and sustainable innovation principles

Key Benefits:

• Pan-African visibility and collaboration opportunities

• Capacity-building, mentoring, and shared learning

• Access to data tools and timbuktoo thematic hubs

• Stronger investor connections and funding pathways

LVMH Prize for Young Fashion Designers 2026 [Deadline: January 11]

The LVMH Prize is once again accepting submissions from emerging fashion designers worldwide. The annual award recognises creative talent shaping the future of fashion and provides recipients with both financial backing and structured business mentorship from senior LVMH executives.

Who Can Apply:

• Designers worldwide who have produced at least two ready-to-wear collections

• Early-stage fashion entrepreneurs seeking global recognition

Key Benefits:

• €400,000 grant

• One-year mentorship programme led by LVMH experts

• International visibility and industry access

African Women in WASH Awards 2026 [Deadline: January 11]

The African Water and Sanitation Association, in partnership with the Rural Water Supply Network, is accepting nominations for the inaugural African Women in WASH Awards. This programme celebrates and amplifies the outstanding contributions of African women driving progress in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services across the continent.

Who Can Apply:
African women professionals at all career stages, from grassroots implementers to policy leaders. Individuals, teams, civil society organisations, and media practitioners are welcome to apply.

Among the five award categories is the Inclusive Innovation and Entrepreneurship Award, recognising women-led initiatives that deliver affordable, scalable, and community-centred WASH solutions—particularly those supporting marginalised and underserved populations.

Villgro Africa, in partnership with The Fred Hollows Foundation, is launching the Eye Health Innovation Accelerator to support African startups delivering solutions to prevent blindness and improve eye care outcomes. The programme strengthens high-potential ventures working to make quality eye care more accessible and affordable.

Who Can Apply:

• Startups across Sub-Saharan Africa working in eye-health or digital health

• Enterprises demonstrating strong market potential and social impact

Key Benefits:

• Structured accelerator support and technical guidance

• Access to sector experts and investor networks

• Seed investment between USD 100,000–250,000, with potential follow-on funding

• Peer-learning and in-person bootcamps

International Climate Initiative – Small Grants [Deadline: January 15]

The International Climate Initiative is offering small grants to innovative local projects addressing biodiversity loss, climate change mitigation, and climate resilience. Funding is designed to help community-based and national organisations scale environmental solutions that also advance livelihoods and social inclusion.

Who Can Apply:

• Local and national organisations in developing and emerging economies

• NGOs, research organisations, and community-based entities

Key Benefits:

• €60,000–€200,000 in project funding

• Focus on locally driven environmental innovation

• Technical guidance and international networking

Africa Startup Accelerator – RLC East Africa & University of Iowa [Deadline: January 15]

The Regional Leadership Center East Africa, in partnership with the University of Iowa, has launched the Africa Startup Accelerator — a fully-funded, three-week residential entrepreneurship programme in Iowa City. The initiative focuses on investment readiness, customer discovery, and building sustainable business models.

Who Can Apply:

• Alumni of the Regional Leadership Center East Africa

• Founders of active, innovative startups with growth potential

• Applicants aged 25–35 holding a bachelor’s degree

Key Benefits:

• Lean LaunchPad-based entrepreneurship training

• Mentorship and weekly pitching sessions

• Cross-cultural immersion and leadership development

• Fully hosted campus programme

Women Entrepreneurship for Africa (IYBA-WE4A) Programme [Deadline: January 25]

The Tony Elumelu Foundation is accepting applications for the IYBA-WE4A Programme, designed to support women-led enterprises in selected African countries. The programme strengthens business resilience and contributes to sustainable enterprise growth through funding, mentorship, and technical support.

Who Can Apply:

• Women entrepreneurs operating in Senegal, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon, Kenya, Mozambique, Malawi, or Togo

• Businesses registered for five years or less

Key Benefits:

• USD 5,000 seed capital

• World-class entrepreneurship training

• Tailored business support and networking

• Focus on environmentally sustainable enterprises

beVisioneers — The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship (Cohort 4) [Deadline: January 26]

beVisioneers — The Mercedes-Benz Fellowship is seeking young innovators developing environmental sustainability projects with measurable community impact. The fellowship supports emerging leaders through technical learning, mentorship, and project-based funding to help scale green solutions.

Who Can Apply:

• Young leaders aged 16–28

• Applicants residing in eligible countries, including Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zimbabwe

• English proficiency at B1 or higher

Key Benefits:

• Personal mentorship and venture coaching

• Scholarships of up to €20,000

• Hybrid learning and global networking

• Fully funded travel for programme events

Kofi Annan Fellowship in Global Health Leadership – Africa CDC [Deadline: January 30]

Africa CDC is recruiting senior-level public health professionals to join the Kofi Annan Fellowship in Global Health Leadership. The programme builds strategic leadership capacity to advance Africa’s Health Security and Sovereignty Agenda through applied learning and high-level mentorship.

Who Can Apply:

• Senior-level public health professionals with 10+ years’ experience

• Applicants from AU Member States

Key Benefits:

• Residential and digital training

• Travel, insurance, and stipends covered

• Exposure to continental leadership networks

Google for Startups Accelerator — Middle East, North Africa & Turkey [Deadline: January 30]

Google for Startups is accepting applications for its equity-free accelerator programme supporting growth-stage technology startups across MENA and Turkey. The 10-week accelerator equips founders with advanced technical mentorship and industry insights to strengthen product and market strategy.

Who Can Apply:

• Seed to Series-A stage startups

• Teams with demonstrated traction and strong technical leadership

Key Benefits:

• Mentorship from Google experts

• Product and AI/ML support

• Founder development and strategy coaching

• Access to Google networks and credits

SDG Innovation Accelerator for Young Professionals 2025–2026 [Deadline: January 31]

The UN Global Compact is inviting companies to nominate high-potential young professionals to take part in the SDG Innovation Accelerator. Participants work collaboratively to design and test business solutions that advance the Sustainable Development Goals while contributing to corporate growth.

Who Can Apply:

• Young professionals working in UN Global Compact-participating companies

Key Benefits:

• Innovation labs and project development support

• Global peer-to-peer learning

• Mentoring and leadership development

WomenLift Health – Midwifery Leadership Journey 2026 [Deadline: January 31]

WomenLift Health, together with the Women in Leadership Advancement Network, has launched a fully funded leadership journey for senior women leaders in midwifery and maternal-newborn health. The programme aims to strengthen leadership capacity and drive improved health outcomes across West and Central Africa.

Who Can Apply:

• Women leaders with 10–25 years’ experience in midwifery or MNH

• Applicants based in Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, or Burkina Faso

Key Benefits:

• Immersive residencies and virtual mentoring

• Leadership coaching and peer learning

• Global WomenLift Fellow status and alumni network