African healthcare and climate ventures with strong ambitions to scale are invited to apply for the 2026 cohort of the Home Grown Solutions (HGS) Accelerator, an initiative of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). The 2026 edition marks the first time the accelerator expands beyond healthcare to also support climate-focused ventures, reflecting the growing urgency of climate action across the continent.
Focus Areas
Healthcare ventures across any subsector including diagnostics, pharmaceuticals, digital health, maternal and child health, disease prevention, health workforce, and supply chain.
Climate-focused ventures across four sub-sectors:
- Energy and Power — clean energy access, off-grid solar, mini-grids, PAYGO models
- Mobility and Transport — e-mobility, low-carbon logistics, last-mile delivery
- Waste and Circular Economy — recycling, e-waste, packaging optimisation
- Nature-Based Solutions — habitat protection, wetland restoration, carbon removal
Who Can Apply:
Healthcare ventures must:
- Operate mainly or solely in Africa with strong African leadership
- Be registered as a for-profit entity at growth or mature stage
- Demonstrate clear market traction and a sizeable customer base
Climate ventures must:
- Operate mainly or solely in Africa with strong African leadership
- Be registered as a for-profit entity at early, growth, or mature stage
- Demonstrate market traction and ambition to scale
What Selected Ventures Receive:
- A customised four-month acceleration programme
- Shoulder-to-shoulder support across business growth, investment readiness, and market expansion
- Access to a growing network of peers, advisors, mentors, and potential partners
- Continued alumni network access beyond the programme
