Apply Now: ABF Agribusiness Challenge 2026 Offers €6,000
Young and emerging agripreneurs across eligible African countries can now apply for the ABF Agribusiness Growth Challenge 2026.
This is an initiative designed to help entrepreneurs strengthen their businesses, improve climate resilience and prepare for sustainable growth.
The challenge, organised through the Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF), offers successful participants the opportunity to compete for Business Growth Awards, including €6,000 in funding, a Dell laptop or a six-month agribusiness mentoring programme.
Applications for the current cycle opened on September 1, 2026, and submissions will close on October 30, 2026.
What Is the ABF Agribusiness Growth Challenge?
The Agribusiness Growth Challenge is structured around practical training and business development. Participants are expected to complete a learning pathway through the Agribusiness e-Academy on atingi before submitting their business models for consideration.
The programme focuses on three key areas:
- Strengthening business models and operations.
- Building resilience against climate-related risks.
- Preparing agribusinesses for sustainable growth and access to finance.
The initiative is particularly aimed at entrepreneurs who are developing businesses within agricultural value chains and want to improve their ability to grow and withstand changing market and climate conditions.
What Can Winners Receive?
Selected participants will compete for Business Growth Awards in three categories:
€6,000 Funding:
A cash award intended to support the growth and development of a selected agribusiness.
Dell Laptop:
A Dell laptop to support the recipient’s business and digital activities.
Six-Month Mentorship:
A place in a six-month agribusiness mentoring programme providing participants with additional business-development support.
The awards are separate opportunities, meaning applicants should not assume that every successful participant will receive all three benefits.
Who Can Apply?
The challenge is open to young and emerging agripreneurs aged 18 and above who are based in an eligible member state of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS).
Participation in the challenge and the required online training is free.
For the current submission window, eligible business ideas must focus on at least one of four value chains:
- Maize
- Livestock, specifically cattle, sheep or goats
- Cashew
- Cocoa
Business ideas outside these specified value chains will not be considered for this submission round.
Mandatory Training
Applicants must complete three courses through the Agribusiness e-Academy before submitting their business model:
- Climate-Smart Agribusiness: Adaptation
- Business Model Canvas
- Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness
The first two courses can be completed in either order. After completing them, participants can proceed to the final course.
Applicants must obtain a valid certificate ID from Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness, which is required when submitting the business idea.
What Will Applicants Submit?
After completing the mandatory training, applicants will submit their business model through the designated application process.
The submission requires applicants to present their AgriCanvas and provide information about their proposed or existing business, including its climate-smart or resilience component, revenue model and estimated capital requirements.
Applicants can save a draft of their submission and return to complete it before final submission.
Who Is Behind the Challenge?
The Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH.
The project is co-financed by the European Union under the Samoa Agreement with OACPS and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). The initiative is also implemented in collaboration with MOVE-ComCashew.
Application Deadline
The deadline for submissions is:
October 30, 2026
Because completion of the mandatory courses is a prerequisite for submitting a business model, prospective applicants are encouraged to begin the online training well before the deadline.
Key Details
Programme: ABF Agribusiness Growth Challenge 2026
Organiser: Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF)
Eligibility: Young and emerging agripreneurs aged 18+ in eligible OACPS member states
Eligible value chains: Maize, cattle/sheep/goat livestock, cashew and cocoa
Awards: €6,000 funding, Dell laptop or six-month mentoring
Training: Free Agribusiness e-Academy courses
Platform: atingi
Application opens: September 1, 2026
Deadline: October 30, 2026
How to Apply
Interested agripreneurs should enrol in the Agribusiness e-Academy on atingi, complete the three mandatory courses and obtain the required certificate before submitting their business model.
Applicants should review the eligibility requirements carefully and ensure their business falls within one of the four eligible value chains before submitting.
Apply: Through the official ABF/Agribusiness e-Academy application platform.
