Are you ready to take your entrepreneurial, innovative, or creative venture to the next level in the coming months? Menterprise Africa has curated for you a list of diverse and impactful opportunities spanning sectors like technology, climate action, social entrepreneurship, and business development.
Whether you are a student looking to turn your ideas into solutions, an early-stage entrepreneur in need of guidance, or a leader eager to scale your social impact, these programs and grants offer the tools, networks, and mentorship you need to succeed. Explore the opportunities below and find the right fit for your goals.
Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre Graduate Innovation Program [Deadline: Rolling]
The Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre Graduate Innovation Program is an exciting opportunity for university students and faculty in Uganda to transform their ideas, research, and final year projects into innovative solutions.
Who Should Apply:
- Undergraduates and graduates of Makerere University or any other public or private university in Uganda.
- Applicants must have an idea, proof of concept, or Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
- Willingness to commit to and attend all mentorship sessions is required.
Areas of Focus:
- Agriculture, Finance, Tourism, Education, Sports, STEM, Creatives, Health, Environment, Legal, and more.
- Program Location: Makerere University, Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre (MIIC).
Key Benefits:
- Access to group collaboration spaces and cutting-edge facilities.
- Tech Talent support for digital solutions.
- Business Development Support in areas like Legal, IP, Market Access, and Partnerships.
- Networking opportunities with other entrepreneurs.
- Access to funding and investment opportunities to help scale your solutions.
Fill out the form to apply for the program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre Startup Advisory Support (SAS) Program [Deadline: Rolling]
The Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre (MIIC) Startup Advisory Support (SAS) Program is designed to help early-stage startups and businesses transform their ideas, prototypes, and Minimum Viable Products (MVPs) into market-fit ventures. The program offers customized advisory support, knowledge, and connections to talent, markets, and investment opportunities to help startups make better decisions and succeed.
Program Overview:
Duration: 3 months
Location: Makerere Innovation and Incubation Centre (MIIC), Makerere University
Fees: Free (Terms & Conditions apply)
Who Should Apply:
- Pre-revenue and early-stage startups with ideas, prototypes, Proof of Concept, and early-stage businesses.
- Startups from all sectors are welcome to apply.
Benefits:
Participants will receive startup advice in the following areas:
- Product Development/Refinement (Technology Transfer)
- Team Building (Talent sourcing and matching)
- Market Development (Research, Traction channels)
- Business Modeling
- Legal Guidance
- Investment Readiness
- Investment Access
- Business Partnerships (Private Sector)
At the end of the program, startups have the opportunity to enroll in a direct mentorship program to receive technical and financial support in areas like product development, market development, business development, and investment readiness through a network of experts, business coaches, investors, and private sector partners.
Fill out the form to apply for the program. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Orange Corners South Sudan Incubation and Acceleration Programme (Second Cohort) [Deadline: October 18]
The Orange Corners South Sudan Incubation and Acceleration Programme is an initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs in South Sudan in starting and growing their businesses.
The programme aims to contribute to strengthening the startup and entrepreneurial ecosystem in South Sudan through a comprehensive suite of support services including:
- Capacity-Building Training: Gain essential skills and knowledge to enhance your entrepreneurial journey.
- Masterclasses: Participate in specialized sessions led by industry experts.
- Coaching & Mentorship: Receive personalized guidance from experienced mentors to navigate the challenges of starting and growing a business.
- Business Development Support: Access resources and tools to help refine your business model and strategy.
- Networking Opportunities: Connect with fellow entrepreneurs, industry leaders, and potential partners to build a robust professional network.
Eligibility:
- Aspiring entrepreneur from South Sudan
- Applicants must be young entrepreneurs aged 18-35.
To join, complete this online form before October 18.
Youth Climate Innovation (YCI) Programme [Deadline: October 20]
The Youth Climate Innovation (YCI) Programme, an initiative of Climate Technology Centre & Network (CTCN), is a unique opportunity for young innovators from developing countries to create, develop, and scale high-impact climate technology solutions that are locally relevant and globally adaptable.
Programme Overview:
The YCI Programme spans November 2024 to December 2025 and includes three main phases:
- Idea Lab (7 days online): Participants learn design thinking methods to ideate and refine climate solutions with mentorship and collaboration tailored to their regions.
- Incubator (12 weeks online): Winning teams from the Idea Lab enter an intensive incubation phase, receiving hands-on support, mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning to turn ideas into viable solutions.
- Accelerator (4 weeks): Selected teams focus on investment readiness and partnership development, culminating in the opportunity to pitch their ideas at regional and global climate events to connect with potential investors and partners.
Eligibilty:
They are looking for passionate individuals and teams eager to tackle the climate crisis with innovative solutions. Applicants should meet the following criteria:
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or 3 years of work experience and/or community engagement.
- Age: 18 to 35 years.
- Based in Africa, MENA, Latin America and the Caribbean, or Asia-Pacific.
- Interested in water-energy-food nexus, mobility, energy systems, buildings, or industry.
- A strong commitment to contributing to climate action.
- Interest in developing a climate idea or existing entrepreneurs.
Benefits:
- Access to 50+ experienced mentors and entrepreneurs-in-residence.
- Join a community of 250k+ members from CTCN and Seedstars’ network, including 5k+ investors focused on climate technology.
- Free access to startup tools like Amazon Web Services, Hubspot, Miro, Airtable, Notion, and Twilio.
- 30+ hours of workshops focused on business development, climate tech, and scaling.
- Increase project visibility through CTCN and Seedstars platforms, and pitch in-person at regional or global climate conferences.
Apply now and be part of a global community driving climate innovation and action.
Commonwealth Foundation Grants 2024 [Deadline: October 24]
The Commonwealth Foundation is offering grants of up to £30,000 for projects lasting up to two years. These grants aim to support civil society organizations (CSOs) within the Commonwealth that facilitate constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers, including involvement in policy development and implementation.
Eligible projects must address one or more of the Foundation’s three priority themes:
- Health Justice
- Freedom of Expression
- Climate Justice
All projects are required to integrate gender considerations into their design and implementation. Applications should clearly outline how gender considerations will be included in the project’s approach.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be not-for-profit civil society organizations (CSOs) registered in an eligible Commonwealth Foundation Member State.
- The organization must have a minimum of three years’ experience in participatory governance and advocacy within the area or theme of the proposed project.
- Projects must focus on constructive engagement between civil society and decision-makers.
Project Timeline:
- Projects should begin between August 1, 2025, and September 30, 2025.
How to Apply:
- Check your eligibility on the Commonwealth Foundation website.
- Register with SurveyMonkey.
- Complete the online application form.
- Submit the required additional documentation.
For more details on funding priorities, eligibility, and exclusions, please visit the Commonwealth Foundation’s website.
Catholic Relief Services’ International Development Fellows Program [Deadline: November 1]
The International Development Fellows Program (IDFP) by Catholic Relief Services (CRS) offers a unique 12-month professional development opportunity for dedicated global citizens to build a career in international relief and development.
This program is designed to equip Fellows with practical field experience and skill-building in key areas, preparing them for onward positions with CRS and is centered on the following key areas of Skill Building:
- Project Management
- Activity planning and implementation
- Monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL)
- Resource and budget management
- Reporting
- Project Design
- Research, assessments, and analysis
- Participatory design
- Results framework and theory of change
- Proposal development
- Systems & Operations
- Supply chain and logistics
- Human Resources management
- Finance and compliance
- Safety, security, and risk mitigation
- Partnership Development
- Project planning and program implementation
- Capacity strengthening
- Reflection and assessment
Minimum Requirements:
- Graduate degree in a relevant field.
- Minimum of two years of work experience, including at least six months of work or volunteer experience in a developing country.
- Fluency in English with strong communication skills.
- Professional proficiency in a second language (preference for French, Arabic, and Portuguese).
- Ability to work in locations with infectious diseases and limited access to medical facilities.
Submit your cover letter and CV through this application link.
Anzisha Prize 2025 [Deadline: November 8]
The Anzisha Prize is a multi-year fellowship program dedicated to supporting and celebrating Africa’s very young entrepreneurs. The fellowship rewards business growth and entrepreneurial initiative, providing a platform to scale ventures and gain valuable resources.
Key Fellowship Features:
- Throughout the fellowship, the performance of both the business and the entrepreneur is tracked, with outstanding ventures rewarded with benefits such as: short courses, cloud services, and cash stipends.
- At the end of the second year, entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to pitch their businesses for a chance to win a share of $50,000 in prizes across four categories:
- Job Creation Prize
- Revenue Growth Prize
- Storytelling Prize
- Integrating Systems and Processes Prize
Eligibility Criteria:
- You must be between 15 and 22 years old with valid ID (born between 1 September 2002 and 31 August 2009).
- You must be a national of an African country and have a business based in Africa that serves African customers or beneficiaries.
- The Anzisha Prize is not awarded for ideas or plans—you must have already started your business, and have tangible results to show.
- Your business, invention, or social project can be in any field or industry (e.g., science, technology, arts, culture, sports, civil society).
- You must be one of the founding members of the business (e.g., co-founders who started the venture together).
Application Deadline: November 8.
Mountaintop Fellowship [November 8]
Mountaintop’s flagship program is a paid, one-year, full-time fellowship for the most promising local leaders to stay in or return to their home communities and contribute to systems change in lower-income places around the world.
Benefits:
- Fellows receive a $3,600 grant, fully paid two week leadership institute hosted at Harvard University’s Edmond & Lily Safra Center for Ethics.
- 1:1 mentorship
- Additional grant opportunities.
- A lifelong community of inspiring peers to accelerate their leadership journeys and prepare them for large-scale impact to transform their communities and countries.
Apply here by November 8.
Bloomberg’s Africa Startups to Watch 2025 [Deadline: November 8]
Bloomberg has launched the inaugural Africa Startups to Watch list to find the smartest ideas and founders from all over the Africa. If you believe your startup is driving Africa’s future, apply now to be featured on Watch List!
Eligibility:
- Startups founded to solve Africa’s challenges.
- Unique ideas that have garnered investor and customer support.
- Privately held companies.
How to Apply: Submit your application here Providing qualitative details about your business model, customer demand, and why your product is unique.
Job Opportunity: Project Manager – Startups Ecosystems Development [Deadline: November 9]
Smart Africa is seeking a Project Manager to lead the development of startup ecosystems across Africa. The selected candidate will play a key role in coordinating the Smart Africa Network of Incubators and Accelerators (SANIA), which connects incubators, accelerators, and startup support organizations to foster the growth of tech-enabled startups across the continent.
Responsibilities include:
- Develop and implement the SANIA concept and value proposition.
- Coordinate the development and content management of the SANIA platform.
- Identify and assess candidates for the SANIA network.
- Design and execute capacity-building programs for network beneficiaries.
- Mobilize funds/resources to support the initiative.
- Develop strategic plans for startup ecosystem development, including presentations and key messaging.
- Collaborate with public and private sector partners to strengthen partnerships and enhance SANIA’s impact.
- Provide periodic reports on project progress and outcomes.
- Participate in regional meetings, workshops, and policy development processes.
Key Qualifications:
- Education: Master’s degree in Information Technology, Technology Sciences, Entrepreneurship, Business Administration, Marketing, or related fields.
- Experience:
- 5+ years of experience in entrepreneurship and startup ecosystem development.
- Proven experience in project coordination, ICT policy and regulation, and working in multi-stakeholder environments in Africa.
- Deep understanding of African tech startup dynamics, challenges, and opportunities.
- Skills:
- Strong management skills and ability to provide strategic guidance and technical oversight.
- Excellent interpersonal skills for networking with government, private sector, and international partners.
- Proficiency in French and English is essential; knowledge of Portuguese or Arabic is an advantage.
- Strong analytical, presentation, and creative writing skills.
Details:
- Duration: One (1) year, renewable subject to performance and funding availability.
- Location: Kigali, Rwanda.
How to apply:
To apply, send the following documents to hr@smartafrica.org with the subject line “Project Manager-Startups Ecosystems Development”:
- Detailed CV with 3 professional referees.
- One-page cover letter with a motivation statement.
- Copies of academic degrees and professional certificates.
- A PPT presentation (20 minutes max) outlining an action plan and budget to operationalize SANIA in 2024.
Application Deadline: November 9th, 2024, at 11:00 p.m. Kigali (GMT+2) time.
2025 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship [November 20]
Applications are now open for the prestigious 2025 Ibrahim Leadership Fellowship, a 12-month programme designed to identify and mentor the future generation of outstanding African leaders. Established in 2011, the Fellowship provides an immersive experience for three Fellows each year, who are hosted in the executive offices of:
- African Development Bank (Abidjan)
- United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (Addis Ababa)
- International Trade Centre (Geneva)
Programme Overview:
- Fellows will spend 12 months at one of the three host institutions, working alongside senior leadership teams in Abidjan, Addis Ababa, or Geneva.
- The Fellowship equips participants with both technical and leadership skills while offering them the chance to contribute to impactful projects that shape Africa’s future.
Key Benefits:
- Fellows will contribute directly to research and policy design while gaining technical and leadership skills.
- A key feature of the programme is personalized mentorship from the heads of the host organizations.
- Fellows receive a $100,000 stipend to support living expenses during the programme.
- Fellows also become members of the Now Generation Network (NGN), continuing to contribute their skills to building a better Africa.
- Fellows gain access to influential leaders and organizations across Africa and beyond.
Eligibility Criteria:
- National of an African country.
- Minimum of 7 years of relevant work experience.
- Master’s degree required.
- Under the age of 40 (or 45 for women with children).
Application Deadline: November 20, 2024
Application details:
African Development Bank
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa
International Trade Centre
- Fellowship details (EN)
- Application Link
