Fifteen opportunities with African eligibility are closing between 26 September and 3 October 2025, spanning competitions, accelerators, summits, and training programs. They cover sectors including fintech, agritech, artificial intelligence, clean technologies, and entrepreneurship, offering a range of funding, mentorship, and exposure opportunities.
MEST Africa Challenge 2025
The MEST Africa Challenge 2025 is a pan-African pitch competition for early-stage startups in fintech, insurtech, regulatory technologies, and artificial intelligence. Eligible ventures must be based in Botswana, Uganda, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya, Mozambique, Zambia, or Ghana, with applications closing on 26 September 2025. The program provides exposure and investment pathways for pre-seed and seed-stage companies aiming to scale across the continent.
SAIS Investment Readiness Programme 2026
The SAIS Investment Readiness Programme 2026 is designed for African startups in agritech, foodtech, agribusiness, climate technologies, biotechnology, fintech, and logistics. Tailored for pre-seed to pre-Series A ventures, the accelerator focuses on building capacity to attract investment. Applications close on 28 September 2025.
a16z Speedrun
Andreessen Horowitz’s Speedrun accelerator offers African founders access to investment of up to $1 million, alongside intensive mentorship and global investor connections. The program is sector-agnostic and welcomes pre-seed and seed-stage startups from across the continent. Applications close on 29 September 2025.
Digital Assets Summit Africa 2025
The Digital Assets Summit Africa 2025 brings together stakeholders in fintech, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, Web 3.0, DeFi, and regulatory technologies. The event is aimed at innovators and businesses shaping Africa’s digital economy. Registration closes on 29 September 2025.
TractionBoost Accelerator Program 2025
The TractionBoost Accelerator Program 2025 targets early-stage African startups at the pre-seed stage, regardless of sector. It provides a structured pathway to refine business models and prepare for investment. The application deadline is 30 September 2025.
Singularity GIC 2025 South Africa
Singularity GIC 2025 South Africa is an event focusing on economic development, fintech, artificial intelligence, and broader technology-driven solutions. It is open to pre-seed and seed-stage startups across Africa. Applications close on 30 September 2025.
Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge 2025
The Tech FoundHER Africa Challenge 2025 supports female founders across Africa through funding, visibility, and mentoring. It spans multiple sectors, including fintech, healthtech, deeptech, climate technologies, foodtech, biotech, retail, proptech, logistics, clean technologies, mobility, gaming, and cybersecurity. Applications close on 30 September 2025 and are open from pre-seed to Series B companies.
Morocco FinTech Accelerator
The Morocco FinTech Accelerator is focused exclusively on fintech ventures within Morocco, supporting companies from pre-seed to Series A. The program offers mentorship, growth resources, and exposure to investors. Applications close on 30 September 2025.
Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge (YEIC) – Round 3
The Young Environmentalist Innovation Challenge, now in its third round, targets Kenyan innovators developing solutions in clean technology and renewable energy. The competition is stage-agnostic, allowing entrepreneurs at any growth phase to participate. The deadline is 30 September 2025.
Britam Betalab Regional Startup Challenge 2025
The Britam Betalab Regional Startup Challenge 2025 is open to entrepreneurs in Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda. Covering fintech, insurtech, agritech, retail and supply chain, and healthtech, the program blends a challenge, accelerator, and bootcamp. Applications close on 30 September 2025.
Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025
The Hedera Africa Hackathon 2025 is a continent-wide competition that emphasizes innovation in artificial intelligence, fintech, gaming, and deep technologies. It is designed as a hackathon and does not limit eligibility by stage. Submissions close on 30 September 2025.
Food & Agri Accelerator
The Food & Agri Accelerator supports African startups in agribusiness, agritech, and food technologies. The program is open to ventures at any stage and emphasizes growth in agriculture and food systems. Applications close on 30 September 2025.
Advance 2026
Advance 2026 is a training program focused on assistive, accessibility, and inclusive technologies. Open to African and global startups, it supports seed and Series A ventures with capacity-building resources. The application deadline is 1 October 2025.
Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge 2026
The Chemistry for Climate Action Challenge 2026 is a global competition supporting practical and sustainable chemistry-based solutions for climate action. Open to innovators in the Global South, including Africa, it targets startups from pre-seed to Series B across climate, clean energy, agritech, and healthtech. Applications close on 1 October 2025.
MTN ICT and Business Skills Training Phase 7
The MTN ICT and Business Skills Training Phase 7 is a Nigerian program providing a five-week blended learning course in ICT and entrepreneurship. It includes self-paced and instructor-led sessions, data support for participants, and N300 million in equipment grants for the top 600 participants. Applications close on 3 October 2025.
These programs collectively highlight Africa’s diverse innovation landscape, from fintech and agritech to clean technologies and inclusive design. With application deadlines fast approaching, startups and entrepreneurs have limited time to secure a place in these initiatives. For ventures seeking growth, visibility, and capital, this period offers a range of entry points into ecosystems shaping the future of business and technology.