Young and emerging agripreneurs across Africa can apply for the Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) Agribusiness Growth Challenge 2026, with selected participants standing a chance to receive €6,000 in funding, a Dell Pro 14 Essential laptop or a place in a six-month agribusiness mentoring programme.
The challenge is designed to help early-stage agribusinesses strengthen their business models, build climate resilience and prepare for sustainable growth.
The current submission window opened in September 2026 and closes on October 30, 2026.
What Is the ABF Agribusiness Growth Challenge?
The Agribusiness Growth Challenge is an initiative of the Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) that combines practical business training with an opportunity to compete for Business Growth Awards.
Participants will complete a curated learning pathway through the Agribusiness e-Academy on atingi.
The training focuses on three areas:
Building a stronger business model
Understanding and responding to climate risks
Preparing an agribusiness for sustainable growth and access to finance
After completing the required courses, participants can submit their business models for consideration for the Business Growth Awards.
What Can Selected Winners Receive?
Successful applicants can receive one of the following Business Growth Awards:
€6,000 in Funding
One of the available awards is €6,000 in funding to support the development or growth of the selected agribusiness.
Dell Pro 14 Essential Laptop
Selected participants can also compete for a Dell Pro 14 Essential laptop as a Business Growth Award.
Six-Month Agribusiness Mentoring
Another award is a place in a six-month agribusiness mentoring programme.
These are Business Growth Awards, so applicants should not assume that every participant will receive all three benefits.
Who Can Apply?
The challenge is open to young and emerging agripreneurs aged 18 and above who are based in a member state of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
Participation is free, including the mandatory e-learning courses.
This makes the opportunity relevant to African entrepreneurs who are building or developing businesses within eligible agricultural value chains.
Which Agribusinesses Are Eligible?
For this submission window, business ideas must focus on at least one of four value chains:
Maize
Livestock, specifically cattle, sheep or goats
Cashew
Cocoa
Ideas outside these value chains will not be considered.
Mandatory Training Before Submission
Applicants cannot simply submit a business idea without completing the required training.
Each applicant must complete three mandatory Agribusiness e-Academy courses:
Climate-Smart Agribusiness: Adaptation
Business Model Canvas
Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness
The first two courses can be completed in any order.
Once both are completed, applicants can access the final course, Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness.
Applicants must provide a valid certificate ID from the final course when submitting their business idea. Submissions without a valid certificate ID will not be accepted.
What Will Applicants Need to Submit?
After completing the required courses, applicants will submit their business idea through the designated submission form.
The application will require applicants to provide their full AgriCanvas directly in the form rather than uploading it as a separate document.
Applicants will also need to explain:
The climate-smart or resilience component of their project
How the business will generate income
The estimated capital required to start or scale the project
The submission form allows applicants to save a draft and return later before making the final submission.
Is the Programme Free?
Yes.
Participation in the Agribusiness Growth Challenge is completely free. The required Agribusiness e-Academy courses are also offered at no cost.
The official ABF page says there are no entry fees, subscription charges or hidden costs at any stage of the competition.
Who Organises the Challenge?
The competition is organised by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) and MOVE-ComCashew.
The projects form part of the Joint Action “Business Support Facility for Resilient Agricultural Value Chains,” which is jointly co-financed by the European Union under the Samoa Agreement with OACPS and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ.
How to Apply
Interested agripreneurs should first enrol in the Agribusiness e-Academy on atingi and complete the three mandatory courses.
After completing the courses and obtaining the required certificate ID, applicants can submit their business idea through the official submission process.
Apply through the ABF website: Agri-Business Facility for Africa – Funding
Training platform: Agribusiness e-Academy on atingi
Application Deadline
The deadline for the current Agribusiness Growth Challenge submission window is October 30, 2026.
Applicants are advised to start the mandatory courses early because completing the training is a requirement for submitting an eligible entry.
Key Details
Programme: ABF Agribusiness Growth Challenge 2026
Organiser: Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF)
Target: Young and emerging agripreneurs
Minimum Age: 18 years
Geography: OACPS member states
Eligible Value Chains: Maize, livestock, cashew and cocoa
Training: Free
Awards: €6,000 funding, Dell Pro 14 Essential laptop or six-month mentoring placement
Platform: atingi Agribusiness e-Academy
Application Deadline: October 30, 2026