The AfCFTA council of Ministers has announced a new flagship initiative to help African Startups scale beyond the continent.
Key Takeaways:
-AfCFTA launch Startup Acceleration & Partnership Program 2026 to help African Startups scale beyond the continent.
-The AfCFTA Startup Acceleration Programme is a flagship initiative formed as a partnership between the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Korea Africa Foundation.
-The initiative is designed to support 30 high-potential African startups seeking to scale beyond the continent and gain access to global markets, particularly South Korea.
-How to apply for the AfCFTA Startup Accelerator Programme 2026 (Application Links)
The AfCFTA Startup Acceleration Programme 2026 was unveiled on the Sidelines of the Biashara Afrika 2026 in Lome` Togo as a partnership between the AfCFTA Secretariat and the Korea Africa Foundation.
The announcement was made by Jumoke Oduwole, Nigeria’s Honourable Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment who serves as the Chairman of the AfCFTA council of Ministers.
The AfCFTA Startup Acceleration & Partnership Program 2026 is a flagship initiative implemented in partnership with the Korea Africa Foundation (KAF).
The program is designed to identify and support high-potential African startups by strengthening their business capabilities, facilitating market expansion, and fostering strategic partnerships between Africa and the Republic of Korea.
Aligned with the broader objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), this initiative contributes to advancing intra-African trade, promoting industrial development, and enabling African businesses to compete in global markets.
The initiative is designed to support 30 high-potential African startups seeking to scale beyond the continent and gain access to global markets, particularly South Korea.
As part of efforts to deepen implementation of the continental trade agreement, Oduwole announced the launch of the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration Programme 2026 under the AfCFTA–Korea Africa Foundation partnership.
She explained that the programme would provide African startups with opportunities to strengthen their business models, improve competitiveness, and position themselves for international expansion.
The minister noted that Nigerian startups operating in sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, logistics, agritech, manufacturing, and digital platforms stand to benefit significantly from the initiative.
She urged eligible Nigerian entrepreneurs to take advantage of the programme and position themselves at the forefront of Africa’s emerging digital trade ecosystem.
“As Co-Champion of Digital Trade under the AfCFTA, we encourage eligible Nigerian startups to apply and take advantage of this opportunity,” she added.
Program Objectives
The program aims to:
– To enhance the competitiveness and scalability of African startups
- Support market entry into Korea and other global markets
- Facilitate cross-border business partnerships and investment opportunities
- Promote innovation and commercialization across key AfCFTA priority sectors
Eligibility Criteria
The program is open to African startups that:
- Have innovative and scalable business models
- Demonstrate readiness for international expansion
- Show interest in entering the Korean and global markets
- Operate within sectors aligned with AfCFTA priorities, including:
•Fintech
•E-commerce
•Logistics
•Agri-tech
•Manufacturing
•Digital platforms
How to Apply
Applicants are required to download, fill and submit the following:
*Completed application form
*Business plan
*Supporting documents (as outlined in the application guidelines)
Links to Download Programme Application forms with links below 👇 👇 👇
* Accelerator Partnership Plan
English Link
French Link
* Program Expenditure Plan
English Link
French Link
Submission Method
SME’s are to fill up the application forms with all the necessary information. Next, applicants are to send an email containing the duly completed application form, business plan and all supporting documents to -Support@au-afcfta.org
The application deadline for the programme is May 31, 2026.
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