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 \u20ac6,000 in funding, a Dell Pro 14 Essential laptop or a place in a six-month agribusiness mentoring programme.\n<\/p>\n
The challenge is designed to help early-stage agribusinesses strengthen their business models, build climate resilience and prepare for sustainable growth.\n<\/p>\n
The current submission window opened in September 2026 and closes on October 30, 2026.\n<\/p>\n
What Is the ABF Agribusiness Growth Challenge?<\/p>\n
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.\n<\/p>\n
Participants will complete a curated learning pathway through the Agribusiness e-Academy on atingi.<\/p>\n
The training focuses on three areas:\n<\/p>\n
Building a stronger business model
\nUnderstanding and responding to climate risks
\nPreparing an agribusiness for sustainable growth and access to finance<\/p>\n
After completing the required courses, participants can submit their business models for consideration for the Business Growth Awards.\n<\/p>\n
What Can Selected Winners Receive?<\/p>\n
Successful applicants can receive one of the following Business Growth Awards:\n<\/p>\n
\u20ac6,000 in Funding<\/p>\n
One of the available awards is \u20ac6,000 in funding to support the development or growth of the selected agribusiness.\n<\/p>\n
Dell Pro 14 Essential Laptop<\/p>\n
Selected participants can also compete for a Dell Pro 14 Essential laptop as a Business Growth Award.\n<\/p>\n
Six-Month Agribusiness Mentoring<\/p>\n
Another award is a place in a six-month agribusiness mentoring programme.<\/p>\n
These are Business Growth Awards, so applicants should not assume that every participant will receive all three benefits.\n<\/p>\n
Who Can Apply?<\/p>\n
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).\n<\/p>\n
Participation is free, including the mandatory e-learning courses.\n<\/p>\n
This makes the opportunity relevant to African entrepreneurs who are building or developing businesses within eligible agricultural value chains.\n<\/p>\n
Which Agribusinesses Are Eligible?<\/p>\n
For this submission window, business ideas must focus on at least one of four value chains:<\/p>\n
Maize
\nLivestock, specifically cattle, sheep or goats
\nCashew
\nCocoa<\/p>\n
Ideas outside these value chains will not be considered.\n<\/p>\n
Mandatory Training Before Submission<\/p>\n
Applicants cannot simply submit a business idea without completing the required training.\n<\/p>\n
Each applicant must complete three mandatory Agribusiness e-Academy courses:\n<\/p>\n
Climate-Smart Agribusiness: Adaptation
\nBusiness Model Canvas
\nCreating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness<\/p>\n
The first two courses can be completed in any order.\n<\/p>\n
Once both are completed, applicants can access the final course, Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness.\n<\/p>\n
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.\n<\/p>\n
What Will Applicants Need to Submit?<\/p>\n
After completing the required courses, applicants will submit their business idea through the designated submission form.<\/p>\n
The application will require applicants to provide their full AgriCanvas directly in the form rather than uploading it as a separate document.\n<\/p>\n
Applicants will also need to explain:\n<\/p>\n
The climate-smart or resilience component of their project
\nHow the business will generate income
\nThe estimated capital required to start or scale the project<\/p>\n
The submission form allows applicants to save a draft and return later before making the final submission.\n<\/p>\n
Is the Programme Free?<\/p>\n
Yes.\n<\/p>\n
Participation in the Agribusiness Growth Challenge is completely free. The required Agribusiness e-Academy courses are also offered at no cost.\n<\/p>\n
The official ABF page says there are no entry fees, subscription charges or hidden costs at any stage of the competition.<\/p>\n
Who Organises the Challenge?<\/p>\n
The competition is organised by Deutsche Gesellschaft f\u00fcr Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH through the Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) and MOVE-ComCashew.\n<\/p>\n
The projects form part of the Joint Action \u201cBusiness Support Facility for Resilient Agricultural Value Chains,\u201d 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.\n<\/p>\n
How to Apply<\/p>\n
Interested agripreneurs should first enrol in the Agribusiness e-Academy on atingi and complete the three mandatory courses.\n<\/p>\n
After completing the courses and obtaining the required certificate ID, applicants can submit their business idea through the official submission process.\n<\/p>\n
Apply through the ABF website: Agri-Business Facility for Africa \u2013 Funding<\/a><\/p>\n