Africa Business Innovation Lab (ABIL) Open Calls 2026: Funding and Support

The Africa Business Innovation Lab (ABIL) Open Calls are creating new opportunities for African innovators, startups, researchers and entrepreneurs developing solutions with Earth Observation and other space technologies. The initiative is particularly interesting because it connects African innovators with European space expertise, technical support, incubation and potential funding.

ABIL was officially launched in Kenya in March 2026 under the Africa-EU Space Partnership Programme. The programme is funded by the European Union and implemented through the European Space Agency (ESA), in close collaboration with the Kenya Space Agency (KSA). Its wider goal is to help turn Earth Observation data into practical products and businesses that can solve real problems in Africa.

What Is ABIL About?

The Africa Business Innovation Lab is not simply a startup competition. It is being built as an innovation hub where entrepreneurs can receive technical training, incubation, acceleration and support to commercialise space-based technologies.

Earth Observation can sound highly specialised, but its applications are surprisingly practical. Satellite data can help businesses and governments monitor crops, assess environmental changes, manage natural resources, track urban development, respond to disasters and understand climate risks.

ABIL is focusing on areas including agriculture, climate resilience, disaster management, health, urban planning and natural resource management.

The programme is being delivered by a consortium involving STAM, Planetek Italia, Corallia, Adanian Labs and LocateIT, alongside ESA and the Kenya Space Agency.

What Are the Open Calls?

The upcoming ABIL opportunities are expected to follow two tracks called Explore and Invest.

Explore is intended for earlier-stage ideas and breakthrough concepts with potential for technology transfer and future commercialisation.

Invest is aimed at more mature ventures that are closer to market and need help with commercial growth, incubation, investor readiness and access to funding opportunities.

This makes the programme relevant to both innovators still developing an Earth Observation application and startups that already have a product and are looking for a path towards commercial expansion.

Who Can Benefit?

ABIL is expected to support:

• African startups and SMEs.
• Entrepreneurs developing Earth Observation solutions.
• Researchers and innovators working with satellite data.
• Technology companies looking to apply space technology to non-space sectors.
• Ventures working on agriculture, climate, health, natural resources and related challenges.

The programme is particularly focused on solutions that respond to African market needs rather than simply transferring technology without local adaptation.

What Can Participants Gain?

Depending on the specific open call, support may include:

• Technical training and mentorship.
• Incubation and acceleration.
• Business development assistance.
• Technology transfer opportunities.
• Investor matchmaking.
• Investment-readiness support.
• Access to African and European innovation networks.
• Potential dedicated funding for selected ventures.

ABIL’s wider purpose is to help promising Earth Observation innovations move from technical development towards real commercial use.

Deadline and Application Process

The ABIL Explore and Invest Open Calls are is finally open and the confirmed application deadline is 11th September, 2026.

Interested innovators can get more details and apply thought the official link below:

Where to Apply: https://abil.ksa.go.ke/explore/

For startups working with satellite data, geospatial technology or Earth Observation, the Africa Business Innovation Lab (ABIL) Open Calls could become an important opportunity to access technical expertise, business support, investors and funding while building solutions designed for African markets.

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