25 African Startup Funding Opportunities for Entrepreneurs.
- YDP SA UPDATES
- Jul 11
- 10 min read
Updated: 2 hours ago
Securing funding remains a challenge for entrepreneurs across Africa. African startup funding opportunities are stronger than ever. Here’s your guide to 25 active grants, equity funds, and accelerators, with eligibility, investment stages, links to apply, recent impact highlights & next steps.
1. The Baobab Network
The Baobab Network is an accelerator providing seed capital and venture support for African tech startups. Ideal for early-stage startups in healthtech, fintech, and logistics. The accelerator has successfully backed over 50 startups since inception, many of which have gone on to raise follow-on funding and scale across multiple African markets.
Best for: Startups with MVP or early traction.
Stage: Pre-revenue & early traction | Investment: ~$50K–$100K equity + mentorship.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing; next cohort expected in Q4 2025
Eligible Countries: All African countries.
2. Digital Africa (Fuzé Program)
Digital Africa (Fuzé Program) is a grant initiative that supports startups from idea to MVP stage with funding and capacity-building, focused on French-speaking and eligible Sub‑Saharan African countries. The program empowers local entrepreneurs with funding and tools to develop scalable solutions, and several grantees have already expanded into new regions and markets.
Best for: Early-stage startups in French-speaking Africa.
Stage: Idea to MVP | Investment: Up to €50K grant.
Closing Date: Undisclosed.
Eligible Countries: French-speaking Sub-Saharan Africa.
3. Antler
Antler is a global early-stage venture capital firm and startup accelerator that supports founders from idea to scaling. It provides funding, mentorship, and global networks. Antler has launched over 750 startups globally and is increasingly growing its presence in Africa with localized programs and in-market support.
Best for: Early-stage founders building tech startups.
Stage: Pre-seed to seed | Investment: $100K–$200K per startup.
Closing Date: Apply anytime; cohorts run multiple times a year.
Eligible Countries: Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa.
Apply: https://www.antler.co
4. Founders Factory Africa
Founders Factory Africa is a venture studio and accelerator backed by corporate partners like Standard Bank and Proparco. It supports early-stage tech startups. Over 50 startups have already graduated from the program, with many leveraging FFA’s networks for rapid regional expansion and strategic partnerships.
Best for: Early-stage fintech, healthtech, logistics, and edtech.
Stage: Pre-seed to seed | Investment: Up to $100K + operational support.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: Pan-African (Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Ghana).
5. Acumen
Acumen is a nonprofit impact investment fund offering patient capital to social enterprises in clean energy, agriculture, healthcare, and education. Acumen has deployed over $140 million into 150+ companies, impacting millions of lives through access to essential services and products.
Best for: Social enterprises balancing profit and purpose.
Stage: Seed to early growth | Investment: Up to $2M.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia.
6. Renew Capital
Renew Capital is a pan-African early-stage venture capital firm investing through angel syndicates and follow-on funds, focused on healthcare, mobility, and consumer goods. The firm has facilitated over 30 investments totaling $15 million and established angel networks across Africa to empower local capital participation.
Best for: Early-stage and growth-focused SMEs.
Stage: Early-stage | Investment: $50K–$500K (avg. $228K).
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: Multiple African countries. Review website.
Apply: https://renewcapital.com
7. AgDevCo
AgDevCo is a UK-backed not-for-profit impact investor specializing in African agriculture, offering long-term debt and equity plus technical assistance. AgDevCo has invested over $170 million in 66 agribusinesses, improving rural incomes and supporting climate-resilient food systems.
Best for: Agribusinesses in primary production, processing, or logistics.
Stage: Growth | Investment: $1M–$10M.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda.
Website: https://www.agdevco.com
8. Knife Capital III
Knife Capital III is a $50 million Series B expansion fund targeting B2B SaaS and tech startups in South Africa. Knife Capital has a track record of exits and scale-ups, including investments in market leaders like DataProphet and Snapplify.
Best for: Post-revenue South African tech firms ready to scale.
Stage: Growth | Investment: Up to $3M.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: South Africa, pan-African deals.
Apply: https://www.knifecap.com
9. Energy Entrepreneurs Growth Fund (EEGF)
EEGF is a blended finance initiative supporting clean energy companies in Sub-Saharan Africa with debt, equity, and mezzanine financing, plus technical assistance. To date, EEGF has backed over 20 energy companies, significantly contributing to off-grid electricity access and job creation.
Best for: Post-revenue clean energy businesses.
Stage: Post-revenue | Investment: $500K–$2.5M.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: Sub-Saharan Africa.
10. Seedstars Youth Wellbeing Ventures Fund
A $20 million fund targeting early-stage African startups focused on youth well-being in low- and middle-income countries. The fund supports mission-driven startups aligned with SDG 3 and 4, and recent grantees have scaled services to 500,000+ youth.
Best for: Social impact ventures led by or serving youth.
Stage: Pre-seed to Series A | Investment: $10K–$500K.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: All African countries.
11. Ventures Platform
Ventures Platform is a pan‑African venture capital firm offering seed funding, mentorship, and ecosystem support to founders addressing infrastructure and service gaps. With over 60 investments to date—including standout names like PiggyVest and SeamlessHR—the firm continues to enable category-defining tech ventures across Africa.
Best for: Disruptive tech startups across fintech, healthtech, agritech, edtech.
Stage: Pre-seed to Series A | Investment: $100K–$1M.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, pan-African hubs.
Apply: https://venturesplatform.com
12. LeapFrog Investments
LeapFrog Investments is a growth-equity fund targeting financial services, healthcare, and climate-tech firms serving emerging consumers. It has invested over $2 billion across Africa and Asia, powering companies that reach nearly half a billion people with sustainable, impact-driven business models.
Best for: Growth-stage impact businesses in finance, healthcare, climate.
Stage: Growth | Investment: $10M+.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana.
13. Norfund
Norfund is the Norwegian DFI backing medium to large-scale African enterprises in clean energy, financial inclusion, and scalable services. With over $160M committed to renewables in 2024 alone, Norfund helps catalyze sustainable development while delivering commercial returns.
Best for: Mid- to large-sized enterprises with ESG or impact alignment.
Stage: Growth | Investment: Up to $35M.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: Sub-Saharan Africa.
Apply: https://www.norfund.no
14. Norrsken22
Norrsken22 is a $205M pan-African growth fund dedicated to fintech, edtech, healthtech, and market-enabling technologies. Backed by unicorn founders and ecosystem partners, it accelerates startups scaling across the continent through capital and deep strategic support.
Best for: High-growth, mission-driven tech startups.
Stage: Pre-seed to Series B | Investment: $500K–$5M+.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: All African countries.
Apply: https://www.norrsken22.com
15. TLcom Capital
TLcom Capital’s TIDE Africa Fund II is a $154M fund investing in early-stage African companies in fintech, agritech, logistics, and education tech. With a gender-diverse partnership, TLcom champions purpose-led startups and recently co-invested in FirstCheck Africa.
Best for: Seed-stage tech startups with scalable models.
Stage: Seed to Series A | Investment: $500K–$3M.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa.
Apply: https://tlcomcapital.com
16. Africa50
Africa50 is a pan-African infrastructure investment platform co-created by AfDB, deploying capital in energy, transport, digital, and water sectors. It has mobilized over $5.5B for 28 major projects and launched a $500M Green Infrastructure Alliance in 2025.
Best for: Large-scale infrastructure developers and project sponsors.
Stage: Project & Scale | Investment: $10M–$50M.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: 30+ African member states.
Apply: https://www.africa50.com
17. GSMA Innovation Fund
The GSMA Innovation Fund supports startups, small and growing businesses, and social enterprises using mobile technology to drive positive impact across low- and middle-income countries. Backed by FCDO, the fund provides grant funding, technical assistance, and access to GSMA’s global mobile ecosystem.
Best for: Tech startups leveraging mobile solutions to solve local challenges in energy, agriculture, health, and more.
Stage: Seed to early growth | Investment: Up to £250,000 in grant funding.
Closing Date: Varies by call (current opportunities updated regularly).
Eligible Countries: Sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and other LMICs.
18. AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund
AgriFI Kenya is an EU-backed initiative financing inclusive agribusinesses through grants and co-financing. It targets SMEs innovating in food security, youth employment, and sustainable agriculture, with a strong focus on private-sector-driven sector transformation.
Best for: Inclusive agri-SMEs in Kenya.
Stage: Growth | Investment: Up to €1M grant/co-financing.
Closing Date: Varies by call.
Eligible Countries: Kenya.
19. The African Women in Venture Capital Initiative (AWVCI)
The African Women in Venture Capital Initiative (AWVCI) is a Pan-African Chamber of Commerce program aimed at fostering inclusion in the venture capital ecosystem for African women. It supports efforts to help women entrepreneurs access VC funding, promotes female representation in the VC industry, and addresses gender bias across the investment landscape. The initiative is managed by the Women Entrepreneurship Centre.
Best for: Women entrepreneurs and female professionals in the VC and startup ecosystem.
Stage: Pre-seed to Growth | Focus: Gender-inclusive VC access and industry reform
Closing Date: To be announced (launch phase).
Eligible Countries: All African Union member states.
Apply: https://panafricanchamber.com/ (placeholder – confirm official page).
20. IFC Startup Catalyst Program
IFC’s Startup Catalyst program invests in early-stage accelerators and VC funds to strengthen startup ecosystems. This strategic initiative provides funding and technical support to grow local accelerators across Africa.
Best for: Ecosystem builders and accelerators.
Stage: N/A | Investment: Institutional partnership support.
Closing Date: Rolling.
Eligible Countries: Multiple African countries.
21. Replace
CADFund is the first China-rooted fund dedicated to Africa, channeling over $6B into infrastructure, agriculture, natural resources, and clean energy projects—unlocking opportunities for Sino-African enterprise development.
Best for: Large-scale infrastructure, manufacturing, or agri-logistics projects.
Stage: Growth & infrastructure | Investment: $5M–$50M+.
Closing Date: Varies, ongoing.
Eligible Countries: All African countries.
Apply: http://www.cadfund.com
22. Africa's Business Heroes (ABH) Prize Competition
Africa’s Business Heroes is a philanthropic initiative by the Jack Ma Foundation, awarding Africa’s most talented entrepreneurs making an impact in their communities. The top 10 finalists share $1.5 million in grant funding, along with training, exposure, and networking opportunities.
Best for: Impact-driven entrepreneurs across all sectors in Africa.
Stage: Early to growth stage | Investment: Grant funding ($100K–$300K per winner).
Closing Date: Applications open March & typically close around May each year – check for upcoming cycle.
Eligible Countries: All 54 African countries.
23. develoPPP (GIZ & DEG)
DeveloPPP is a program by the German government, delivered via GIZ & DEG, offering co-financing and technical input to businesses aligned with the SDGs. To date, it has supported dozens of private-sector initiatives in health, climate, and sustainable development.
Best for: SDG-aligned businesses across sectors.
Stage: All stages | Investment: Up to €2M co-financing.
Closing Date: Quarterly application windows.
Eligible Countries: African and developing countries.
Apply: https://oap.developpp.de/
24. GIZ (Technical Assistance)
GIZ provides grant-funded capacity building, technical advisory, and pilot project support across education, digital innovation, and climate resilience in African countries—consistently enabling pioneering partnerships between public and private sectors.
Best for: Pilot-stage and capacity-building initiatives.
Stage: Ideation to pilot | Investment: Grant-based support.
Closing Date: Ongoing.
Eligible Countries: GIZ partner countries in Africa.
25. Savannah Fund
Savannah Fund is a Pan-African VC fund with a strong presence in South Africa, backing early-stage tech startups in sectors like fintech, agtech, and edtech. It offers $25K–$500K in seed funding and access to accelerator programs and global investor networks. Savannah emphasizes founders solving Africa’s toughest problems with scalable tech.
Best for: Early-stage startups with MVPs tackling real-world African challenges.
Stage: Pre-seed to Seed | Focus: Equity funding + acceleration.
Closing Date: Rolling applications.
Eligible Countries: South Africa + Sub-Saharan Africa
Apply (email team - email in link): https://savannah.vc/careers/
A summary table of the 25 top African startup funding opportunities, showing the most important details for quick comparison:
Funding Opportunity | Eligible Countries | Startup Stage | Funding Amount | Closing Date |
The Baobab Network | All African countries | Pre-revenue & early traction | ~$50K–$100K equity + mentorship | Q4 2025 (ongoing) |
Digital Africa (Fuzé Program) | Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa | Idea to MVP | Up to €50K grant | Undisclosed |
Antler | Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa | Pre-seed to seed | $100K–$200K | Ongoing |
Founders Factory Africa | Pan-African | Pre-seed to seed | Up to $100K + support | Ongoing |
Acumen | Kenya, Uganda, Nigeria, Ghana, Zambia | Seed to early growth | Up to $2M | Ongoing |
Renew Capital | Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, Nigeria | Early-stage | $50K–$500K | Ongoing |
AgDevCo | Ghana, Mozambique, Tanzania, Zambia, Uganda | Growth | $1M–$10M | Ongoing |
Knife Capital III | South Africa + Pan-African | Growth | Up to $3M | Ongoing |
EEGF | Sub-Saharan Africa | Post-revenue | $500K–$2.5M | Ongoing |
Seedstars Youth Fund | All African countries | Pre-seed to Series A | $10K–$500K | Ongoing |
Ventures Platform | Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya | Pre-seed to Series A | $100K–$1M | Ongoing |
LeapFrog Investments | Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana | Growth | $10M+ | Ongoing |
Norfund | Sub-Saharan Africa | Growth | Up to $35M | Ongoing |
Norrsken22 | All African countries | Pre-seed to Series B | $500K–$5M+ | Ongoing |
TLcom Capital | Nigeria, Kenya, Egypt, South Africa | Seed to Series A | $500K–$3M | Ongoing |
Africa50 | 30+ African member states | Project & Scale | $10M–$50M | Ongoing |
GSMA Innovation Fund | SSA, South Asia, LMICs | Seed to early growth | Up to £250,000 grant | Varies by call |
AgriFI Kenya Challenge Fund | Kenya | Growth | Up to €1M grant | Varies by call |
AWVCI | AU member states | Pre-seed to Growth | Gender-inclusive support | TBA |
IFC Startup Catalyst | Multiple African countries | Ecosystem-focused | Institutional ecosystem support | Rolling |
CADFund | All African countries | Growth & infrastructure | $5M–$50M+ | Ongoing |
ABH Prize Competition | All 54 African countries | Early to growth | $100K–$300K grant | March–May annually |
DeveloPPP (GIZ & DEG) | Africa & developing countries | All stages | Up to €2M co-financing | Quarterly |
GIZ (Technical Assistance) | GIZ partner countries in Africa | Ideation to pilot | Grant-funded support | Ongoing |
Savannah Fund | South Africa & Sub-Saharan Africa | Pre-seed to Seed | $25K–$500K | Rolling |
Let's get you prepared for your next presentation. Running a business is demanding, these will save your the time to research in time friendly schedules so you can focus on what matters - you're welcome.
Elevator Pitch Mastery
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How To Perfect The Art Of An Elevator Pitch
https://www.antler.co/academy/startup-elevator-pitch
How to pitch your business | Vusi Thembekwayo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgbjBI8RpkU&t=3s
The Secret to Successfully Pitching an Idea | The Way We Work, a TED series
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l0hVIH3EnlQ
Editors review
Let’s get the ball rolling and apply! When pitching your business, be passionate and focus on the value you bring. Know your numbers inside out. Understand your strengths and weaknesses so you can focus your efforts where they matter most. I will be applying myself to grow the business you're currently visiting 'Youth Development Project SA (PTY) LTD'.
Use your funds wisely. Every rand you spend should be accounted for. Be cost-efficient to avoid waste, but remember you buy cheap, you buy twice. Invest smartly for lasting impact and to ensure you have enough to scale. Every $10kUSD you spend needs to turn into 2x ROI - 5x ROI. A good video to check out is a video by Simon Squibb - 30Years of Business knowledge in 2hrs on YouTube.
Feel free to share any opportunities that have not been mentioned. We would love to hear about your application journey and how you plan to scale your business. Share your thoughts in the comments.
Let’s grow together! Share the blog to others in need. Connect with me on LinkedIn: Sakhiwo Dlalisa.
If you made it this far, let this be testament that your time has arrived. Now the question is will you?
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