AUDA-NEPAD 2027 Agribusiness Accelerator Opens Applications

The African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) has opened applications for the 2027 Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator (HGSA-A).

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This is a regional programme supporting African-owned and African-led agribusinesses with innovative, scalable and sustainable solutions across the agricultural value chain.

The initiative, funded by the Government of New Zealand through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, is implemented by AUDA-NEPAD as part of efforts to strengthen agribusiness development, promote food security, create economic opportunities and expand intra-African trade.

The accelerator targets established, growth-stage agribusinesses seeking to scale their operations, access new markets, attract investment and strengthen their competitiveness across Africa.

About the Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator

The HGSA-A is a regional initiative under the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), designed to support enterprises addressing critical challenges in agriculture, including food insecurity, climate change, limited market access and trade barriers.

Through the programme, selected businesses will receive tailored business advisory services, technical assistance, mentorship and investment-readiness support to help them expand their operations and reach regional and international markets.

Benefits of the Programme

Successful applicants will have access to:

• Business Advisory Services: Tailored guidance to address business-specific challenges and opportunities.
• Investment Readiness Support: Assistance with fundraising strategies and potential access to programme investment funding.
• Market Expansion: Support for accessing regional and international markets.
• Trade Facilitation: Guidance on cross-border regulations and trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
• Strategic Partnerships: Connections with investors, regional buyers, mentors and relevant business partners.
• Technical Assistance and Mentorship: Expert support to strengthen business operations and improve scalability.
• Post-Accelerator Support: Continued guidance beyond the acceleration programme to promote sustainable business growth.

Note: The programme does not specify a fixed grant amount. However, selected businesses may have potential access to HGSA-A investment funding.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the AUDA-NEPAD 2027 Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator, applicants must:

• Be legally registered and operational in a COMESA member state.
• Be an African-owned or African-led growth-stage company.
• Operate within a high-potential agribusiness value chain.
• Demonstrate an innovative and proven business model.
• Have an annual turnover close to US$100,000, although this benchmark may vary by country.
• Possess audited financial accounts for at least the last three years and basic compliance structures.
• Demonstrate potential for regional or international market expansion.
• Show clear scalability prospects through partnerships, export linkages or replicable business models.
• Promote inclusive participation by women, young people, persons with disabilities and refugees.
• Demonstrate commitment to sustainable agricultural practices and green growth.

The programme places strong emphasis on women-owned or women-led enterprises, with a target of 70%, and youth-owned or youth-led businesses, particularly entrepreneurs aged 18–35, with a target of 30%.

Eligible Agribusiness Sectors

The accelerator supports businesses operating across various segments of the agricultural value chain, including:

• Agricultural input supply
• Agro-processing and value addition
• Aggregation and commercialisation
• Storage and logistics
• Agricultural distribution
• Market access services
• Digital agriculture
• Import substitution
• Climate-smart agricultural inputs
• Sustainable packaging and resource-efficient agricultural solutions

Primary agricultural production under the high-value crops category is excluded. The programme is primarily focused on businesses delivering innovative solutions and value-added services across the agricultural ecosystem.

Selection Process

The selection process involves three major stages:

Stage 1: Technical Eligibility Review

Applicants’ documents, including business registration and financial statements, will be assessed to determine whether they meet the programme’s requirements.

Stage 2: Thematic Innovation and Alignment

Shortlisted businesses will participate in interviews to assess their alignment with the accelerator’s objectives, innovation potential, scalability and socioeconomic impact.

Stage 3: Due Diligence

The programme will conduct a comprehensive assessment of applicants’ credibility, leadership, business models, growth prospects, sustainability practices and readiness for acceleration.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications to the AUDA-NEPAD 2027 Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator is November 18, 2026.

Eligible agribusinesses are encouraged to apply early and ensure that all required documentation is available before submitting their applications.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified businesses should visit the official programme website to review the application guidelines and complete the online application process.

Application Portal: https://auda-nepad.e4impactkenya.org/

The accelerator offers growth-stage African agribusinesses an opportunity to strengthen their operations, improve investment readiness, develop strategic partnerships and expand into new markets while contributing to sustainable agricultural development across the continent.