Call For Applications: Kenya Artificial Intelligence Accelerator Programme 2026 for Kenyan Startups and Innovators

Applications are open for the Kenya Artificial Intelligence Accelerator Programme 2026, a national initiative supporting high-impact AI solutions that can improve public-service delivery and contribute to Kenya’s green transition.

The programme is led by the Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy (MICDE), the Technopolis Development Authority (TDA) and UNDP Kenya.

What the Programme Offers

Selected applicants will receive stage-appropriate support, including:

Access to AI compute resources

Data preparation support

Technical assistance

Guidance on responsible AI

Support to develop and advance high-impact AI use cases.

Programme Pathways

Applicants can apply under one of two pathways:

1. Public-Service Delivery AI

This pathway focuses on AI solutions that can strengthen public-service delivery.

It is open to:

Kenyan public institutions

Universities and research institutions

Startups and innovators.

2. GreenTech and Environmental AI

This pathway supports AI-driven solutions addressing environmental and green-transition challenges.

It is open to:

Startups and innovators

Universities and research institutions

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must generally:

Be legally established or formally recognised in Kenya

Submit a clearly defined problem or AI use case under an eligible pathway

Identify intended users, customers or beneficiaries.

Explain why AI is appropriate for the proposed solution.

Demonstrate the expected public, environmental, social or economic value

Have access to relevant data or a credible plan for obtaining and preparing the data

Identify a responsible focal person and team.

Participate in programme assessments, technical assistance and responsible AI reviews.

Comply with applicable Kenyan legal, regulatory, data-protection and intellectual-property requirements.

Requirements for Startups and Innovators

Startups and innovators applying under

 the GreenTech pathway must meet additional requirements, including:

Being legally registered and operating in Kenya

Having a technology-enabled solution addressing an eligible GreenTech challenge

Demonstrating that AI already contributes, or could materially contribute, to the solution

Having a committed core team

Understanding the intended customers, users or beneficiaries

Having a prototype or minimum viable solution (MVP)

Having access to relevant data, or a credible data-acquisition plan

Having the necessary approvals and licences, or a credible compliance plan

Demonstrating basic corporate governance and accountability arrangements.

APPLY HERE

Call for Applications: TEEEM Foundation Community Impact Grant 2026 (Up to $30,000 in Funding)

 Deadline 1 November 2026

The TEEEM Foundation has opened applications for its 2026 Community Impact Grant Programme, offering funding of up to $30,000 to nonprofit and charitable organisations implementing sustainable, community-driven solutions.

The grant supports organisations working to create measurable and lasting impact through education, youth development, health, empowerment, entrepreneurship, economic opportunity and community development.

Grant Categories and Funding

Community Grants: $5,000–$10,000 for grassroots and local community projects

Growth Grants: $10,000–$20,000 to expand successful programmes and reach more communities

Transformational Grants: $20,000–$30,000 for large-scale initiatives with long-term impact

Eligible Projects

Funding is available for initiatives focused on:

Education and youth development

Health and essential community needs

Equality and empowerment

Entrepreneurship and economic opportunity

Community infrastructure

Sustainable community development

Who Can Apply?

The grant is open to nonprofit and charitable organisations with a demonstrated commitment to community-centred development.

Strong applicants should demonstrate:

• Sustainable and measurable community impact
• Effective organisational leadership
• Financial accountability
• Community-driven programme design
• Innovative approaches to solving local challenges
• Alignment with TEEEM’s mission of empathy, equality, empowerment, education and service

Organisations working with underserved communities and young people are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Applicants are required to:

Download and complete the Community Impact Grant application form.

Prepare the required supporting documents and organisational attachments.

Combine the completed application and supporting materials into a single PDF.

Submit the application by email before the deadline.

Applications will be assessed based on mission alignment, organisational capacity, community need, sustainability and anticipated social impact.

APPLY HERE

Call For Applications: NESI Innovation Challenge 2026 (₦10 Million Pool Prize)

Deadline: 30, August 2026

Applications are now open for the NESI Innovation Challenge 2026, an innovation competition under Nigeria Electricity Supply Industry Week (NESI Week).

The challenge seeks innovative ideas and solutions capable of addressing challenges within Nigeria’s electricity supply industry and contributing to the development of a more efficient, reliable and sustainable power sector.

Prize

The challenge offers a ₦10,000,000 pool prize for outstanding innovations.

Who Should Apply?

The challenge is suitable for innovators, entrepreneurs, startups, technology developers, engineers, researchers and other solution builders with innovative ideas that can contribute to Nigeria’s electricity supply industry.

Applicants are encouraged to showcase solutions that can address real challenges across the power sector and demonstrate potential for practical impact.

Focus Areas

Innovations may focus on areas related to:

Electricity generation

Power transmission

Electricity distribution

Renewable energy

Energy efficiency

Power-sector technology

Smart grid solutions

Electricity access

Energy management

Digital solutions for the power sector

Sustainable energy solutions

Why Apply?

Successful innovators will have an opportunity to showcase their solutions within the Nigerian electricity ecosystem and compete for a share of the ₦10 million pool prize.

The challenge also provides an opportunity to gain visibility, connect with relevant industry stakeholders and demonstrate how innovation can contribute to solving Nigeria’s electricity challenges.

APPLY HERE

Pulitzer Center Lavwa Lenpak African content creator program 2026 for African content creators ($500 participation stipend)

Application Deadline: August 26, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Pulitzer Center Lavwa Lenpak African content creator program. Join the second cohort of Lavwa Lenpak, our program for content creators in Africa, and learn how to use investigative journalism to engage your community and make an impact. 

This second edition of the program is dedicated to governance and human rights in the forestry sector, with a particular focus on the Congo Basin.

Pulitzer Center is seeking African content creators to contribute in strengthening their status as trusted voices within their communities, drawing inspiration from journalism. 

By equipping content creators to better understand issues of public interest, strengthen their critical thinking, and produce reliable content, Lavwa Lenpak builds a bridge between Pulitzer Center-supported journalism and audiences in Africa, transforming complex journalistic investigations into accessible, engaging digital content tailored for social media.

Requirements

Lavwa Lenpak is seeking 10 content creators who are willing to learn journalism-based content creation and whose audience consumes content about the Congo Basin region or Africa. You can apply if:

You create content on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook.

You have an established online community and an engaged audience.

You are interested in public interest issues, education, social justice, governance, transparency, accountability, natural resources, forest protection, or community rights.

You are open to learning and developing content inspired by investigative or public-interest reporting.

You are open to making complex subjects understandable and engaging for your audience.

You are based in or create contents on the Congo Basin or Africa.

The program welcome applications from content creators, issue-based influencers, journalist-creators, and community voices.

Benefits 

• Access to Pulitzer Center-supported reporting and journalistic resources. 
• Opportunities to collaborate with journalists, as well as personalized feedback on their content. 
• Masterclasses on disinformation and the role of trusted voices, creative storytelling, and scriptwriting. 
• A participation stipend of $500, paid at the end of the program upon approval of all required deliverables.
•  The opportunity to contribute to a broader conversation on accountability, forest governance and human rights in Africa.

APPLY HERE

Call For Applications: Digital Entrepreneurship Training and Business Support Programme for Women and Girls in Northern Nigeria

The Centre for Information Technology and Development (CITAD) is inviting applications from eligible women and girls in Kano and Bauchi for its Digital Entrepreneurship Training and Business Support Programme.

 

The programme is designed to address the gender digital divide and expand business opportunities for women and girls in Northern Nigeria by providing practical entrepreneurship and digital skills needed to start, strengthen, and grow sustainable businesses.

What the Programme Offers

Participants will receive training and support in:

Entrepreneurship and business development

Financial literacy

Digital marketing

Business planning

Innovation

Mentorship

Business growth strategies

Who Can Apply?

Applicants must:

Be a woman or girl living in Kano or Bauchi

Be between 18 and 35 years old

Be digitally literate

Have access to a smartphone or

computer

Have an existing business or a viable business idea

Be available to complete the training

Demonstrate commitment to growing a business

Training Location

Kano or Bauchi

Training dates will be communicated to successful applicants.

Selection Process

Applicants will be selected based on:

Eligibility requirements

Commitment to participate fully

Business potential

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted

APPLY HERE

Call for Applications: TTSWG Innovation Makers Challenge 2.0 (Win Up to ₦6 Million)

DEADLINE: 15, August 2026

Applications are now open for the Innovation Makers Challenge 2.0, an initiative by The Time-Travelling Solutions Working Group (TTSWG) designed to support early-stage, revenue-generating startups in the technology and sustainability sectors.

The challenge provides funding, mentorship, incubation, and a national platform to help innovative startups scale their impact.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to:

Early-stage startups

Revenue-generating businesses

Technology startups

Sustainability-focused ventures

Entrepreneurs developing innovative solutions with the potential for social and economic impact.

Prizes

Successful participants will compete for the following cash prizes:

Grand Winner: ₦6,000,000

First Prize: ₦2,000,000

Second Prize: ₦1,500,000

Programme Benefits

Selected startups will receive:

Cash funding to accelerate business growth

Business mentorship from industry experts

Startup incubation support.

National exposure and visibility.

Access to a platform for scaling innovative solutions.

APPLY HERE

ECOWAS Startup Awards 2026: Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for $65,000 Prize

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has opened applications for the second edition of its Startup Awards, giving startups across the region, including Nigeria, an opportunity to compete for a total cash prize of $65,000.

The programme is designed to identify and support innovative startups while promoting digital entrepreneurship, innovation and economic integration across West Africa.

Applications opened on August 3, 2026, and will close on August 31, 2026. The official application portal lists the deadline as 10:59 p.m. GMT on August 31.

Who Can Apply?

The awards are open to startups based in ECOWAS member states. The programme will select 60 startups from across the region for participation.

Applicants should have an innovative business operating within one of the six priority sectors:

• EdTech and Skills Development
• FinTech
• HealthTech
• AgriTech and Food Systems
• CleanTech, Climate and Green Innovation
• Tourism, Hospitality and TravelTech

Female-led startups are particularly encouraged to participate.

How to Apply

Step 1: Visit the application portal

Interested startups should visit the official ECOWAS Startup Awards application portal and begin the application process.

Step 2: Provide your startup information

Applicants will be required to provide relevant details about their startup, including information that demonstrates the nature of the business, the problem it addresses and the solution it offers.

Step 3: Explain the innovation

Applicants should clearly demonstrate what makes their solution innovative and how it responds to a specific need or challenge.

Step 4: Highlight the team and business model

The application should demonstrate the capacity of the team to execute the idea, as well as explain the startup’s business model and financial viability.

Step 5: Demonstrate market potential and impact

Startups should show the potential of their businesses to scale across markets, alongside their social and economic impact and alignment with ECOWAS priorities.

Step 6: Submit before the deadline

Completed applications must be submitted by August 31, 2026. Applicants are advised to ensure that all required information is provided before submitting their entries.

How Startups Will Be Selected

Applications will be assessed using several criteria, including problem clarity and solution fit, innovation and originality, team capacity, market potential and scalability, business model and financial viability.

Social and economic impact, alignment with ECOWAS priorities, as well as the quality of the pitch, online voting and data integrity will also form part of the assessment.

The scoring is weighted as follows:

Problem clarity and solution fit: 20 per cent

Innovation and originality: 20 per cent

Team capacity and execution ability: 15 per cent

Market potential and scalability: 10 per cent

Business model and financial viability: 10 per cent

Social and economic impact: 10 per cent

Alignment with ECOWAS priorities: 10 per cent

Pitch, online voting and data integrity: 5 per cent

What Selected Startups Will Get

Selected startups will participate in virtual masterclasses from September 21 to 25, 2026, before proceeding to the physical programme in Abuja from September 28 to 30.

The regional finals will take place on September 30, where finalists will pitch their businesses before an independent jury of industry experts, investors and policy stakeholders.

APPLY HERE