Call for AUDA-NEPAD’s Home Grown Solutions Accelerator 2026 is open now !!!
The Home Grown Solutions (HGS) Accelerator is an initiative of the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD), supported by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the official development assistance agency of the Government of Japan. The Accelerator operates in line with the African Union’s Energize Africa Initiative and Agenda 2063 aspirations.
Get the Youth Opportunities iOS App here for the fully-funded opportunities.
The accelerator was originally founded in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, to unlock the potential of local private sector solutions to strengthen Africa’s health systems and fill the gap in support mechanisms for specific sectors and mature stage companies. Since the pilot in 2021 and successful Pan-African expansion in 2022,they have supported 46 healthcare ventures across 36 African countries , with the support of a Steering Committee and Advisory Panel consisting of leading experts and investors in relevant healthcare topics. Together, these ventures have raised $82 M in additional capital, achieved $24M in added annualized manufacturing value, served 48 million patients across the continent and employed 6K+ total staff across Africa.
Youth Opportunities invites you to join your preferred channel to get the latest updates directly to your messenger inbox.
- Youth Opportunities: https://m.me/j/AbZTmgEzD1UchDte/
- Fully Funded Conferences: https://m.me/j/AbZTfhFTiPCnXf2D/
- Full Scholarships: https://m.me/j/AbbrjbkOMM6I68Cs/
- Paid Internships/Jobs: https://m.me/j/AbaAskb6jFFnRser/
- Circle: https://m.me/j/AbY0vVKSPJULUnE4/
In 2026, building on this proven track record and recognizing the growing need for climate action in Africa driven by escalating climate risks, the programme expands its mandate for the first time beyond healthcare to also support companies contributing to climate resilience.
This update marks the opening of the Pan-African call for applications for our 2026 cohort — the first under this expanded mandate. If applicants represent an African healthcare or climate venture with strong ambitions to expand their impact locally or across the continent, they must apply to receive the support over the course of 2026 and, together, help strengthen Africa’s health systems and climate resilience.
As part of the 2026 cohort, participants will receive this unique offering for their venture while shaping this Acceleration program for fellow African ventures in the future. After this period and as a future alumnus of the Accelerator, participants will continue to have access to their unique and growing network of peers, advisors, mentors, and potential partners.
Location:
AfricaBenefits
- Participants will receive this unique offering for their venture while shaping this Acceleration program for fellow African ventures in the future.
- After this period and as a future alumnus of the Accelerator, they will continue to have access to the unique and growing network of peers, advisors, mentors, and potential partners.
Eligibilities
3 application criteria per sector have to be met to be considered for this 2026 cohort
- Healthcare venture eligibility criteria:
- You can be described as a Home Grown Solution, meaning you must …
- Operate mainly or solely in Africa (preference for companies operating across countries)
- Employ mostly local staff in the markets in which you are active
- Have strong African representation in your leadership
- You are a growth or mature stage venture, meaning you must …
- Be registered as a for-profit entity
- Express ambition and potential to scale beyond your current size
- Demonstrate clear market traction and sizable customer base
- Growth stage: You have identified a strong product-market fit in your core offering / have proven the core concept of your venture, and are in the process of scaling and growing your venture
- Mature stage: You have successfully proven that your core offering is viable at scale, ideally across multiple markets
- You strengthen Africa’s health system, for example …
- You manufacture medical consumables or devices on the continent
- You provide healthcare services to patients, be it diagnostic, treatment or otherwise
- You provide technology solutions to strengthen health access or delivery
- You can be described as a Home Grown Solution, meaning you must …
- Climate-focused venture eligibility criteria:
- You can be described as a Home Grown Solution, meaning you must …
- Operate mainly or solely in Africa (preference for companies operating across countries)
- Employ mostly local staff in the markets in which you are active
- Have strong African representation in your leadership
- You can be described as a Home Grown Solution, meaning you must …
-
- You are an early, growth or mature stage venture, meaning you must …
- Be registered as a for-profit entity
- Express ambition and potential to scale beyond your current size
- Demonstrate clear market traction and sizable customer base
- Early stage: You are still proving product-market fit and/or viability of your core offering
- Growth stage: You have identified a strong product-market fit in your core offering / have proven the core concept of your venture, and are in the process of scaling and growing your venture
- Mature stage: You have successfully proven that your core offering is viable at scale, ideally across multiple markets
- You strengthen Africa’s climate resilience in the focus sub-sectors, for example …
- You manufacture or distribute clean energy products or services
- You provide sustainable mobility or transport solutions
- You manage waste or develop circular economy solutions
- You develop or implement nature-based solutions
- You are an early, growth or mature stage venture, meaning you must …
Application Process
- You can apply for the Accelerator using the form in APPLY NOW link, with the deadline set as the 19th of May 2026.
- After the submission deadline, shortlisted companies will be asked to provide references of investors and customers and additional high-level information on their finances up to March/April 2026
- Participants have to select their venture and apply in the selected venture from their website
Application Deadline: May 19, 2026 (23 Days Remaining)
Apply nowOfficial link
