Every month we round up the grants, accelerators, fellowships, and competitions currently open to Nigerian and African entrepreneurs, from government schemes to international funders. Each listing below has the deadline, what you get, and where to apply, so you can move straight to the ones worth your time.
AU-EU Youth Action Lab Entrepreneurship Grant 2026
Description: The final call for this AU-EU initiative funding youth-led social enterprises across 12 eligible African countries, including Nigeria.
Key Benefits: Up to €31,500 in grant funding, plus a 12-month capacity-building programme and access to a pan-African youth network.
Application Deadline: 23 September 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
World Bank Group Small AI for Development Hackathon 2026
Description: A global hackathon from the World Bank Group for young innovators aged 18 to 35 building AI solutions to real development problems.
Key Benefits: Three winners get a fully funded trip to Seoul, South Korea to present at the Global AI and Digital Summit 2026.
Application Deadline: 26 September 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Digital Entrepreneurship Training for Women in Northern Nigeria
Description: A CITAD-led training programme for women and girls aged 18 to 35 in Kano and Bauchi who want to build or grow a business using digital tools.
Key Benefits: Practical digital entrepreneurship training and business support at no cost, no cash grant attached.
Application Deadline: 28 September 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
GOSIMA Innovation Fund 2026
Description: A grant and accelerator programme for young Nigerian entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 building scalable, technology-driven businesses.
Key Benefits: ₦10 million in grants plus an intensive business accelerator with expert-led masterclasses and pitch preparation.
Application Deadline: 28 September 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Pitch Perfect Africa 2026 Innovation Fellowship
Description: A pitch competition and fellowship for early-stage African health ventures, run by the Health Innovation Hub at the University of Toronto.
Key Benefits: Three finalists each win a CAD $5,000 Innovation Fellowship plus mentorship and a structured development journey.
Application Deadline: 29 September 2026 at 11:59 PM ET
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Climate Resilience Awards for Business 2026
Description: An international award from WBCSD and the Global Resilience Partnership recognising businesses that have implemented practical projects to withstand climate risks such as extreme weather, water shortages and supply chain disruption.
Key Benefits: Global recognition, published case studies, and access to a network of sustainability and resilience professionals (no cash prize).
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
develoPPP Classic Funding Programme 2026
Description: A German BMZ-backed co-financing programme for established companies running projects that combine business growth with measurable development impact in Nigeria and other qualifying countries.
Key Benefits: €100,000 to €2 million in co-financing, covering up to 50% of eligible project costs.
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
African Union Enterprise Africa Network (EAN) Fellowship Programme 2026/2027
Description: An African Union fellowship for established youth- and women-led SMEs, offering business training, mentorship, IP support and market access across all 55 AU Member States.
Key Benefits: Structured business training, expert mentorship, intellectual property support and continental market access for 100 selected fellows.
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Askya AI Growth Platform 2026
Description: A free, no-equity AI accelerator from Askya Investment Partners and Magna Collective for African AI startups, built to grow AI companies without touching their cap table.
Key Benefits: Free to join, no equity taken, and up to $200,000 in investment eligibility for the top-performing startup.
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
SEWA Grants for Climate Projects in Africa 2026
Description: A major climate funding call for African organisations working on early warning systems, disaster risk reduction, and community preparedness.
Key Benefits: Four regional grants of up to approximately €1.25 million each, from a €5 million investment pool.
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026 at 14:00 CEST
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Giving Joy Grant 2026 for Women Entrepreneurs
Description: A microgrant for women anywhere in the world with a business idea or an existing small business they want to grow. No registered company required.
Key Benefits: Up to $500 per recipient, disbursed over a six-month grant period.
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Student Venture Capital Grant 2026
Description: One of the largest government-funded student enterprise programmes in Nigeria, run by the Federal Ministry of Education for its second cohort.
Key Benefits: Up to ₦50 million in equity-free funding for qualifying student ventures.
Application Deadline: 30 September 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
DBN Academy Entrepreneurship Training Programme Cohort 2
Description: A Development Bank of Nigeria capacity-building initiative combining online learning, regional workshops, and competitive pitching for registered MSMEs.
Key Benefits: Access to ₦100 million in grants for 180 MSMEs, plus ₦50 million in cash prizes and incentives during the learning phase.
Application Deadline: 1 October 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
IIH SHIFT Programme 2026
Description: A deep-tech accelerator for Nigerian founders working on technically complex, defensible solutions, built to help them scale homegrown innovation.
Key Benefits: Up to ₦5 million in equity-free funding plus structured technical and business support.
Application Deadline: 2 October 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Entrepreneurs for Resilience Program 2027
Description: The tenth edition of a well-funded global social enterprise programme run by the Swiss Re Foundation and partners, for ventures expanding healthcare access in low-income communities.
Key Benefits: Up to $1 million in funding for selected social enterprises.
Application Deadline: 4 October 2026 at 23:59 CET
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Alibaba CoCreate Pitch Competition 2026
Description: A global startup competition for product-driven entrepreneurs to compete for prizes and connect with manufacturers, investors, and mentors.
Key Benefits: Share of a $1,000,000 prize pool.
Application Deadline: 5 October 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Precision Agriculture Incubation Program (PAIP) Cohort 4.0 2026
Description: A global training and incubation programme teaching young Nigerians how to apply precision agriculture techniques instead of farming by guesswork.
Key Benefits: Partial and full merit scholarships available, with a small commitment fee for selected participants.
Application Deadline: 5 October 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Citi Foundation Global Innovation Challenge 2026
Description: A significant global grant opportunity for registered nonprofits working on economic mobility, youth employment, and digital skills in low-income communities.
Key Benefits: Part of a US$25 million commitment from the Citi Foundation to organisations preparing youth for AI.
Application Deadline: 6 October 2026 (Letter of Inquiry deadline)
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
GEF Entrepreneurs Investment Program 2026
Description: The official early-stage investment programme of the Global Entrepreneurship Festival, open to tech-enabled startups.
Key Benefits: $35,000 in seed investment plus founder coaching, startup clinics, and investor pitching at the festival in Cairo.
Application Deadline: 6 October 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
MTN Foundation ICT and Business Skills Training Programme 2026 (Phase 8)
Description: A practical ICT and business skills training programme for microbusiness owners in Rivers, Abia, Ogun, Kwara, Kano, and Gombe State.
Key Benefits: Equipment grants of up to ₦1 million, awarded competitively through the programme’s capstone project.
Application Deadline: 11 October 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Miller Center Accelerator Program 2027
Description: A free six-month virtual accelerator from Miller Center for Global Impact at Santa Clara University, offering structured mentorship for social enterprise leaders tackling poverty through women’s economic power or climate resilience.
Key Benefits: 180 hours of free executive mentorship, no equity or funding cost to participants.
Application Deadline: Early deadline (31 August 2026) has passed. Regular deadline: 16 October 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
D-Prize Interventions Challenge 2026
Description: A global seed funding programme for entrepreneurs who can take an existing, proven poverty solution and build an organisation to distribute it, not invent a new one.
Key Benefits: Up to US$20,000 in seed capital per winner, with no application fee.
Application Deadline: 25 October 2026 (early submission window)
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
ABF Agribusiness Growth Challenge 2026
Description: A free training and challenge programme for young and emerging agripreneurs across Africa, run by GIZ and funded by the EU.
Key Benefits: Free structured training plus €6,000 in prizes, a Dell laptop, and mentorship for top performers.
Application Deadline: 30 October 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
e-MOVE ComCashew 2026
Description: Funding built specifically for young entrepreneurs in Nigeria’s cashew value chain, run by GIZ through MOVE-ComCashew and the Agri-Business Facility for Africa.
Key Benefits: Up to €2,000 in direct funding, or a laptop, tablet, or software package.
Application Deadline: 30 October 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
TEEEM Foundation Community Impact Grant 2026
Description: A grant for nonprofit and charitable organisations running community projects in education, health, empowerment or entrepreneurship.
Key Benefits: $5,000 to $30,000 in funding depending on project scale.
Application Deadline: 1 November 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Swarovski Foundation Creatives For Our Future 2026
Description: A grant for Nigerian creatives aged 21 to 30 building something around sustainability, fashion, design, or technology.
Key Benefits: €20,000 grant plus mentorship, masterclasses, and networking access.
Application Deadline: 9 November 2026, 11:59 PM GMT
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
SiGMA Pitch Startup Competition 2027
Description: A free pitch competition for early-stage African startups in iGaming, fintech, AI, blockchain and gaming technology, culminating in a live pitch before more than 30 venture capitalists in Cape Town.
Key Benefits: A prize package worth over €400,000 in credits, cloud infrastructure and executive access for the winner. Free to apply.
Application Deadline: 6 January 2027
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Interledger Local Impact Mini-Grant Program 2026
Description: A grant from the Interledger Foundation for individuals and community organisations working to improve digital financial access, no registered organisation required.
Key Benefits: $500 to $3,000 in direct project funding.
Application Deadline: Rolling, reviewed until 11 November 2026
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Ecobank InnovateX Youth Innovation Challenge 2026
Description: A nationwide innovation challenge from Ecobank’s Blaze youth banking arm for Nigerian students aged 16 to 25 building fintech or creative-economy solutions.
Key Benefits: ₦20 million total prize pool, plus mentorship, an Ecobank internship and NYSC placement opportunities.
Application Deadline: No fixed closing date published. Grand finale holds 30 October 2026, so register early.
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Young Africa Innovates Programme Cohort 2
Description: A UNDP and Mastercard Foundation programme offering a year-long incubation pathway for innovators aged 18 to 35 living in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau, or Taraba states.
Key Benefits: Free bootcamp, incubation, catalytic funding and market access support through a structured five-stage journey.
Application Deadline: Rolling. Application window is expected to close within September 2026, apply now.
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Pan-African Social Enterprise Summit Pitch Competition 2026
Description: A pitch competition inside a two-day Kampala summit for social entrepreneurs across Africa, with separate prize categories by age.
Key Benefits: $4,000 cash for the 22 to 35 category, $2,000 cash for the 15 to 21 category, plus direct access to investors and partners at the summit.
Application Deadline: Ongoing, confirm on the official page. Summit holds 19 to 20 November 2026 in Kampala, Uganda.
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
The Next Titan Nigeria Season XI 2026
Description: Nigeria’s number one entrepreneurial reality television show returns, giving young entrepreneurs a national platform to pitch and grow their businesses.
Key Benefits: ₦50 million grand prize.
Application Deadline: Rolling, applications open (regional auditions start August 2026)
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Sandbox Africa Hackathon 2026
Description: A pan-African hackathon for software developers, AI and machine learning practitioners, robotics builders, and hardware innovators to build and demonstrate working technical solutions.
Key Benefits: ₦10,000,000 in total prizes (₦5m, ₦3m and ₦2m for the top 3), plus mentorship and technical networking.
Application Deadline: Rolling, no fixed closing date published yet. Register early.
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Skyewise Foundation Business Grant 2026
Description: A Nigerian grant under the Skyewise Foundation’s MTC 6.0 initiative, open to entrepreneurs at idea stage, existing businesses ready to scale, and aspiring traders.
Key Benefits: ₦15 million total grant pool, plus mentorship and a Boardroom Pitch in Abuja in front of investors.
Application Deadline: Applications open now, no fixed closing date published yet.
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Federal Government Free Microsoft AI Skills for Nigerian Women 2026
Description: Free artificial intelligence training and certification for women across Nigeria, from small business owners to students and office workers.
Key Benefits: Free training with certification.
Application Deadline: Rolling, until training slots are filled
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
SMEDAN Young Entrepreneurs Program (BRYNE) 2026
Description: A new SMEDAN-led initiative bringing training, incubation, mentorship and access to finance together for young Nigerian entrepreneurs, including a weekly startup hackathon.
Key Benefits: Incubation support for 600 entrepreneurs annually, plus a weekly hackathon awarding 52 winners ₦250,000 each in seed funding.
Application Deadline: Rolling, no single application deadline published yet. Watch the official SMEDAN website.
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
SMEDAN Cluster Development Support (CDS) for MSMEs 2026
Description: Support for Nigerian manufacturing and production clusters, tackling bottlenecks like poor electricity, lack of automated machinery, and financing access.
Key Benefits: Cluster infrastructure and financing support.
Application Deadline: Rolling, regional basis
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
UNDP Timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation Program (EdTech) 2026
Description: A UNDP Timbuktoo programme supporting African EdTech startups building innovative solutions for education, training, and skills development, with structured incubation and mentorship.
Key Benefits: Access to the SIGMA digital platform for startup development, plus investment readiness training and investor networking.
Application Deadline: Rolling — currently open
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
UNDP Africa Timbuktoo Launchpad Program 2026
Description: A UNDP programme through the Timbuktoo GreenTech Hub in Kenya, supporting African founders building clean energy, climate-smart agriculture, waste management, and circular economy solutions.
Key Benefits: Practical incubation, expert guidance, digital tools, and ecosystem access.
Application Deadline: Rolling, quarterly cohorts, no fixed deadline
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Entrepreneurship Program 2026
Description: A global initiative providing free business education to women entrepreneurs worldwide, offering 10 core business courses covering leadership, marketing, finance, and other essentials for growing sustainable enterprises.
Key Benefits: Free access to world-class business education, plus membership in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Women Global Alumni Community.
Application Deadline: Rolling — no fixed deadline
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
DIV Fund for Startups and Social Enterprises 2026
Description: Funding for startups, nonprofits, researchers, and social enterprises with innovative solutions in healthcare, education, agriculture, or financial inclusion.
Key Benefits: Up to $1.5 million in grants.
Application Deadline: Rolling, no fixed closing date
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
UBA Sani Tech Support 2027
Description: A free technology training programme in AI, robotics, web development, and data science for young people in Kaduna North Local Government Area.
Key Benefits: Free training and certification, delivered in partnership with Vora Robotics Ltd and Kad ICT Hub.
Application Deadline: Rolling, no published closing date
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Maple Global Innovation Fellowship 2026
Description: A fellowship for entrepreneurs, researchers, AI and robotics professionals, and innovation ecosystem leaders, with a strictly limited number of appointments.
Key Benefits: Fellowship recognition, mentorship, and access to a global innovation network.
Application Deadline: Rolling, applications reviewed individually until the cohort fills
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Global Changemaker Fellowship 2026
Description: A free 6-month virtual fellowship for young people actively working on a social initiative, with no nationality restriction and no application fee.
Key Benefits: Structured mentorship and training to help develop and scale a social impact project.
Application Deadline: Rolling, apply while the form remains active
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
FG CREDICORP C.L.I.C.K.D. Programme 2026
Description: A federal government initiative giving eligible Nigerians a structured way to get a laptop or smartphone without paying the full price upfront.
Key Benefits: Access to subsidised devices through a government-backed credit scheme.
Application Deadline: Rolling, applications currently open
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
Agriculture Financing Initiative (AgriFI)
Description: A long-term capital facility for commercially sustainable agribusinesses across Africa’s agricultural value chains, funded by the EU and managed by EDFI.
Key Benefits: Investments from €500,000 to €5 million, with tenors of five to ten years or more.
Application Deadline: Rolling, no fixed application round
Where to Apply: Click here to learn more
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Also available: pitch decks, financial models, company profiles, business proposals, and CAC registration.
Let’s talk before the deadline, not after.
Utibe Etim
Founder, Etimate Global Services
WhatsApp / Call: 0703 154 2324
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.utibeetim.com
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