ASIF Ignite Africa Cohort 1: Apply Now (2026)

African entrepreneurs building climate-smart solutions now have a fresh opportunity to sharpen their ideas, test them with real users, and connect with specialists who can help them scale. The ASIF Ignite Africa Cohort 1 programme has opened applications for founders across the continent, including Nigeria, who are developing climate adaptation and resilience solutions for vulnerable communities, with a particular focus on food and agriculture value chains.

For Nigerian entrepreneurs working on agritech, climate resilience, or AI-enabled tools for underserved markets, this programme offers a rare combination of structured mentorship, technical support, and exposure to a network built specifically for founders operating in low-income and climate-vulnerable environments.

About the Programme

ASIF stands for the Adaptation SME Innovation Facility, an initiative implemented by BFA Global under the Adaptation Fund’s Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) partnership, which works closely with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) framework supporting climate resilience innovation in developing economies. Ignite is the entry-level stage of the ASIF programme pipeline, designed specifically for founders who already have a working prototype but need structured support to validate it with real users before scaling further.

Cohort 1 of Ignite runs as an 8-week, fully remote programme built around small cohorts of roughly 13 to 14 founders. The curriculum blends weekly workshops, one-on-one office hours, and hands-on testing support, all centred on helping participants gather real-world evidence that their solution works for the communities it is meant to serve. The inaugural cohort places special emphasis on food and agriculture value chains, reflecting the urgent need for climate adaptation tools in farming, food security, and rural livelihoods across Africa.

Founders do not need to be deep AI experts to apply. The programme welcomes both AI-first companies and businesses that simply embed AI tools into an existing product, as long as there is genuine curiosity and willingness to learn. What matters most is that applicants have a functioning prototype, service, or innovation already built and ready for real-world testing, not just an idea on paper.

Eligibility Criteria

• Founders and teams based anywhere in Africa, including Nigeria
• Building a climate adaptation or resilience solution aimed at vulnerable communities
• Solutions can include mobile applications, digital platforms, hardware devices, data models, or service delivery protocols
• Must already have a working prototype, product, or service ready for testing with real users
• Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), startups, or social enterprises with an earned-revenue business model
• Priority given to ventures with at least 40 percent women in leadership positions
• Open to both AI-first ventures and businesses embedding AI into existing operations; deep technical AI experience is not required
• Willingness and availability to fully participate in an 8-week remote programme
• Not open to large corporations, commercially mature products, or organisations that depend primarily on grant funding to operate

Benefits

• Weekly, structured workshops covering AI methods, customer discovery, lean experimentation, and impact measurement
• One-on-one office hours with AI, product, and sector-specific specialists
• Free subscriptions to selected professional tools for the duration of the programme
• Practical playbooks tailored to testing solutions in low-income and climate-vulnerable markets
• Direct, expert feedback to help refine business direction and product-market fit
• A more investor-ready pitch and business model by the end of the 8 weeks
• Potential consideration for later-stage Propel cohorts within the wider ASIF programme pipeline

Key Details at a Glance

• Organizer: BFA Global, implemented under the Adaptation Fund Climate Innovation Accelerator (AFCIA) partnership
• Programme name: ASIF Ignite Africa, Cohort 1
• Format: Fully remote, 8-week accelerator
• Focus area: Climate adaptation and resilience, with emphasis on food and agriculture value chains
• Eligible countries: Open to founders across Africa, including Nigeria
• Funding: No direct cash grant disclosed; support is delivered through mentorship, workshops, and tool subscriptions
• Application window: June 17 to August 17, 2026

How to Apply

Interested founders can apply directly through the official ASIF Ignite Africa application form. Applications close on August 17, 2026, so eligible entrepreneurs, including those based in Nigeria, are encouraged to prepare their applications early rather than waiting until the final days. Before applying, have a clear description of your prototype, your target users, and evidence of your business’s earned-revenue model ready, as these are central to what the selection panel will be assessing.

Apply here: ASIF Ignite Africa Cohort 1 Application Form. You can also read the full programme overview on the official BFA Global page: bfaglobal.com/ASIF Ignite.

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