Call For Applications: Smart Africa & FAO Innovate Africa Challenge 2026 (3rd Edition)Up to US$50,000

Deadline: August 31, 2026

Applications are now open for the Innovate Africa Challenge 2026 (3rd Edition), an innovation challenge launched by Smart Africa in partnership with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) to accelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions that address Africa’s agricultural and climate challenges.

Under the theme “From Ideation to Deployment,” the challenge seeks AI-powered innovations that can improve climate-smart agriculture, enhance resilience, and deliver measurable impact for farmers across Africa.

Challenge Benefits

The winning team will receive:

US$50,000 to support the deployment, validation, and scaling of its AI solution

Technical support and validation in real-world farming environments

Exposure to leading partners in agriculture and technology

Opportunities to scale solutions across Africa

Increased visibility within the African innovation ecosystem.

Who Can Apply?

The challenge is open to:

Startups

AI innovators

Technology companies

Agritech entrepreneurs

Researchers

Organisations developing AI-powered agricultural solutions

Applicants must:

• Be a legally registered for-profit entity in one of the 39 Smart Africa Alliance member countries
• Have been operational for at least six months
• Be willing to deploy their solution in at least one of the focus countries if selected
• Develop an AI-enabled solution addressing climate-smart agriculture or related climate challenges.

Focus Areas

Eligible solutions may address areas such as:

Climate-smart agriculture

Crop monitoring and yield prediction

Precision farming

Smart irrigation

Pest and disease detection

Water resource management

Climate resilience

Sustainable food systems

Other AI-enabled agricultural innovations.

APPLY HERE

Call for Applications: African Union CIEFFA Online Capacity Building Training 2026(Fully Funded)

DEADLINE: 31, July , 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 African Union CIEFFA Online Capacity Building Training, a fully funded virtual programme designed to equip young Africans with practical skills in digital technology, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and gender-responsive leadership.

Organized by the African Union International Centre for Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa (AU CIEFFA) in partnership with ImpactHER, the programme supports the African Union’s vision of promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, and inclusive economic development while closing the gender gap in ICT across the continent.

The training will be delivered entirely online, allowing participants from all African countries to learn remotely and connect with experts and peers across Africa.

Training Areas

Participants will receive training in:

Gender Equality in Education

Digital Skills

Entrepreneurship

Financial Literacy

Eligibility Criteria

Be an African woman or man.

Be between 18 and 35 years old.

Demonstrate leadership or active involvement in democratic governance, youth participation, peace and security, elections, or related fields.

Be affiliated with youth-led organizations, civil society organizations, government institutions, or initiatives focused on governance, human rights, leadership, or youth development.

Be committed to participating throughout the programme.

Commit to replicating the knowledge gained within their communities or organizations after the training.

Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Benefits

Successful participants will receive:

Fully funded online training and mentorship.

Practical skills in digital technology, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy.

Industry-relevant knowledge to improve employability and business growth.

Certificates in Digital Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Financial Literacy (participants must attend at least 80% of sessions in each programme).

Access to the African Union CIEFFA and ImpactHER professional networks.

Increased opportunities to participate in future fully funded in-person African Union programmes and activities.

Networking opportunities with participants and experts from across Africa.

APPLY HERE

Call for Applications: GET Compass SMEBusinessGrant 2026 (Up to ₦2 Million in Funding)

   DEADLINE:  Aug 20, 2026

Applications are now open for the GET Compass SME Grant 2026, an initiative by the Grooming Endowment Trust (GET) designed to support early-stage small and medium-sized businesses in Nigeria with grant funding of up to ₦2 million.

Beyond financial support, the programme equips entrepreneurs with business development training, mentorship, and practical knowledge to help them scale sustainably and improve their operations.

Eligibility Criteria

Be 18 years or older

Be Nigerian citizens

Own a business that is not more than three years old.

Have a registered business (including CAC registration or other recognised business registration)

Show evidence that the business is operational.

Be available to attend the mandatory two-week workshop in Lagos.

Grant Benefits

Successful applicants will receive:

Up to ₦2 million in SME grant funding

A two-week business development workshop in Lagos

Business advisory and mentorship

Capacity-building sessions to strengthen business operations

Support to improve business growth, expansion, and sustainability.

APPLY HERE

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Call For Applications: WomenPower2030 Seed Grant 2026 for Women-Led Organisations in Nigeria and Sierra Leone (€5,000 Seed Grant)

Applications are now open for the WomenPower2030 Seed Grant 2026, an opportunity for eligible women-led and women’s rights organisations in Nigeria and Sierra Leone to receive up to €5,000 to implement initiatives that advance women’s rights, leadership, gender equality, climate action, and sustainable development.

The grant is being offered under the WomenPower2030: Feminist Accelerate Action for Sustainable Development project, implemented by the Women Environmental Programme (WEP).

Grant Benefits

Selected organisations can receive:

Up to €5,000 in seed funding

Support to implement projects lasting 3 to 6 months.

Opportunities to advance initiatives focused on women’s rights, gender equality, climate action, and sustainable development.

Who Can Apply?

The opportunity is open to organisations that:

Are women-led and focused on women’s rights

Have women making up at least 70% of their management team

Are affiliated with the Gender Advocacy Movement for the Environment (GAME) or another national, regional, or global women’s movement or network

Have demonstrable capacity to effectively deliver projects

Are based in Nigeria or Sierra Leone

Have not been convicted of fraud or other criminal activity.

Areas of Focus

Proposed initiatives should focus on one or more of the following areas:

Policy monitoring and dialogue with policymakers

Education and awareness on gender and sustainable development.

Movement building

Demonstrating equitable and sustainable solutions and services

Gender-specific training and women’s leadership training

Tracking SDG and climate policies and budgets

Social media and mainstream media campaigns.

Note: Projects focused only on awareness-raising activities or workshops will not be accepted. Priority will be given to initiatives that seek to influence policy, demonstrate sustainable solutions, and promote gender-responsive budgeting.

Project Duration

Projects must run for 3 to 6 months.

Grant Amount

Each selected initiative can receive a maximum of €5,000.

Application Requirements

Applicants must submit:

Completed application form in Word format

Detailed budget in Excel format

Certificate of registration

Letter of reference

Track record of previous activities, such as reports, media links, or testimonials,

 compiled into one document.

The application should not exceed 10 pages, excluding attachments.

Application Deadline

July 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. WAT.

APPLY HERE

Nigerian Entrepreneurs Can Now Apply for Wema Bank’s Free SME Business School 2026

Date: 27th – 29th July 2026

Applications are now open for the Wema Bank SME Business School 2026, a free capacity-building program designed to equip small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners with the practical knowledge and business management skills needed to build, grow, and sustain successful businesses.

Organized by Purple Academy, Wema Bank’s corporate university, the SME Business School aims to bridge critical knowledge gaps affecting Nigerian businesses through expert-led training and practical learning sessions.

About the Program

The Wema Bank SME Business School is designed to strengthen the capacity of entrepreneurs by providing practical insights into business management, strategy, digital transformation, funding, financial management, and sustainable business growth.

The program is open to both Wema Bank customers and non-customers and seeks to help entrepreneurs improve business structure, productivity, profitability, and long-term competitiveness.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is open to:

Small and medium-sized business owners in Nigeria.

Entrepreneurs seeking to improve business performance.

Both Wema Bank customers and non-customers.

Individuals interested in acquiring practical business management knowledge.

No academic qualification is required to participate.

Program Benefits

Participants will receive:

Free business management training

Practical business development and growth strategies.

Learning sessions facilitated by experienced industry experts.

Networking opportunities with fellow entrepreneurs.

Business advisory support.

Certificate of participation upon completion.

Access to knowledge that supports business sustainability and expansion.

APPLY HERE

 

Call For Applications: ECOWAS COYWA Program for African Entrepreneurs

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has launched applications for the COYWA Program aimed at supporting African entrepreneurs, innovators, youth-led enterprises, and women-owned businesses across the region.

The initiative is part of broader regional efforts to strengthen entrepreneurship, innovation, youth empowerment, and economic integration across Africa. According to programme information, selected participants will benefit from business support, mentorship, incubation opportunities, and ecosystem exposure designed to help entrepreneurs scale their ventures.

The programme aligns with ECOWAS’ growing focus on innovation, startup development, and private sector growth across West Africa. Recent regional entrepreneurship initiatives supported by ECOWAS have targeted sectors such as technology, renewable energy, agribusiness, and youth enterprise development.

Programme Benefits

Selected participants are expected to receive:

Business incubation and acceleration support

Mentorship from industry experts and ecosystem leaders

Access to entrepreneurial training and capacity building

Networking opportunities with regional innovators and investors

Exposure to regional and international markets

Support for innovation-driven and impact-focused ventures.

Who Can Apply?

The programme is targeted at:

African entrepreneurs

Youth-led startups

Women-owned businesses

Early-stage innovators

SMEs and startups with scalable business ideas.

Entrepreneurs interested in regional growth and impact

Applicants with innovative solutions addressing social or economic challenges in Africa are encouraged to apply.

Why This Matters

Entrepreneurship and innovation remain central to regional economic growth efforts within West Africa. ECOWAS has increasingly expanded initiatives focused on startup development, youth employability, regional integration, and SME support.

How To Apply

Interested applicants can access the programme details and application resources through the official ECOWAS platform below.

APPLY HERE

Women in Africa (WIA) Young Leaders Programme 2026 for young African Women Leaders.

Application Deadline: May 3rd, 2026

Applications are now open for the 2026 Women in Africa (WIA) Young Leaders Programme. Since 2021, the WIA Young Leaders program has aimed to support and highlight young African women who are actively contributing to building a dynamic, innovative, and inclusive Africa. This initiative is part of the fight for equal opportunities and enables the training of young African women leaders by providing quality support in their professional careers and social advancement, helping them fully realize their potential.

Profile

Applicants must:

Be women, aged 25 to 40

Be citizens of an African country

Francophone, Anglophone, Lusophone – Ideally speaking several languages

Demonstrate leadership potential and commitment to Africa

Be actively engaged in a professional, entrepreneurial, research or leadership role

Application Timeline:

Call for applications – April 2 – May 3rd, 2026

Each year, the WIA Young Leaders program opens its call for applications, inviting talented young African women to apply. This phase seeks to attract candidates with strong potential.

Selection process – May 6, 2026

Candidates are carefully reviewed based on their academic achievements, career success, leadership abilities, and commitment to making a positive impact. The selection committee narrows down the pool to a shortlist of outstanding individuals.

Interview with the Jury – JUNE – JULY 2026

Shortlisted candidates proceed to a final interview stage, where they meet with a panel of 12 international jury members. These interviews allow candidates to showcase their ambitions, leadership potential, and personal journeys. 

SEPTEMBER 2026 Official announcement

Once the selection process is complete, the new cohort of WIA Young Leaders is officially announced online and in the press. This public announcement celebrates the achievements and potential of these outstanding young African women and introduces them to a global audience. 

APPLY HERE