Applications are currently open for the AgriTech4Tanzania Accelerator 2026, a nine-month pilot programme designed for post-revenue agritech enterprises developing digital and data-driven solutions for Tanzania’s agricultural sector. The initiative helps participating businesses strengthen their use of data, improve their products and operations, and scale their impact on smallholder farmers and agricultural value chain actors. The Accelerator is powered by the Data for Digital Agriculture Transformation in Tanzania (D4DAT) Joint Programme, funded by the European Union and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI) through the Joint SDG Fund. It is jointly implemented by the United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and Tanzania’s Ministry of Agriculture, in partnership with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT of CGIAR, the Accelerate for Impact Platform (A4IP), and Tanzania Data Lab (dLab).
Program Overview
• The AgriTech4Tanzania Accelerator is a structured business acceleration programme that helps Tanzanian agritech enterprises optimise their digital solutions and strengthen their use of data to improve products, services, operations, and business growth. Selected enterprises receive technical assistance, mentorship, networking opportunities, investor-readiness support, and opportunities to develop strategic partnerships.
• The programme focuses on enterprises using agricultural data across areas such as data collection, processing, analysis, dissemination, and monetisation, with the goal of improving food security, climate resilience, and inclusive digital transformation in Tanzania.
Eligibility Criteria
• Applicants must be post-revenue agritech enterprises with paying customers, be registered and operationally present in Tanzania, and provide digital or data-driven products, services, or solutions relevant to smallholder farmers or agricultural value chain actors.
• Eligible enterprises may work across the agricultural data value chain, including collecting data through mobile surveys, sensors, drones, satellites, farm machinery, weather stations, or remote sensing; processing and integrating datasets; analysing agricultural data; distributing insights through apps, SMS, APIs, dashboards, or advisory services; and monetising data through subscriptions, analytics, precision agriculture, insurance, market intelligence, or financial services.
• Applicants should demonstrate a validated solution, clear market traction, a scalable business model, and annual revenue above TZS 50 million. They should also show evidence of traction through paying customers, sales, pilots, partnerships, or other forms of market validation.
• Applicants must demonstrate the technical and commercial capacity required to deliver their solution, including a capable team, and must be committed to strengthening their use of data, scaling their business, increasing their impact, and dedicating sufficient time and personnel to the programme.
• Applicants must be for-profit organisations registered in Tanzania. CGIAR innovations intended to be scaled in Tanzania may also be considered under the programme.
Support and Benefits
• Business and growth strategy support
• Data strategy, management, and governance guidance
• Technical assistance and mentorship
• Product and technology refinement support
• Investor readiness and financial modelling assistance
• Networking and curated introductions to investors and partners
• Strategic, revenue-based partnership opportunities with agricultural and financial service companies
• Opportunities to showcase solutions and participate in industry networking events
• Peer learning with other agritech enterprises
• Structured engagement with relevant regulators
• Potential access to catalytic grant funding for up to three qualifying agritech enterprises
Selection Process
• Step 1 - Application: Applicants must submit a complete application through the designated platform before the deadline. The application must be signed by a founder, and the applicant must be a registered legal entity with authority to enter into agreements with dLab.
• Step 2 - Administrative Screening: The dLab team reviews applications to confirm eligibility and supporting documentation, including registration, licensing, compliance, and other required evidence.
• Step 3 - Technical Evaluation: Eligible applications are evaluated against criteria including solution and data integration, impact and sustainability, business viability and growth potential, team and operational readiness, programme alignment, and supporting evidence.
• Step 4 - Due Diligence: The highest-scoring applicants undergo further due diligence conducted by the D4DAT Joint Programme Management Committee. This assessment may take place virtually or in person and can include business diagnostics and verification of the information provided.
• Step 5 - Final Selection: Shortlisted enterprises are reviewed and approved by the Joint Programme Management Committee. dLab then enters into performance-based agreements with the founders of selected enterprises.
Program Logistics
• Cost: The accelerator programme is fully sponsored for selected enterprises. Programme activities include workshops, mentoring, technical assistance, networking, and business coaching. For sessions held in Dar es Salaam, participants travelling from outside Dar es Salaam may receive a subsistence allowance, while participants based in Dar es Salaam are generally expected to cover their own attendance costs.
• Cohort Size: Up to 10 agritech enterprises are expected to join the Accelerator, allowing the programme to provide tailored support to participating businesses.
• Programme Timeline: Applications are open from 7 August to 15 September 2026. Selection and due diligence take place during the following months, with performance-based agreements expected to be signed by December 2026. A bootcamp is scheduled for January 2027, followed by the Accelerator programme from January to September 2027 and a Demo Day in September 2027.
• Funding: Participation in the Accelerator does not automatically guarantee grant funding or investment. Up to three qualifying agritech enterprises will receive catalytic grants, subject to programme requirements and co-financing conditions. All participating enterprises can benefit from investor linkages and connections to patient and commercial capital.
• Grant Co-Financing: Enterprises seeking catalytic grant funding must be able to contribute toward agreed milestones, generally through a minimum contribution of approximately 10% depending on the grant size. Contributions may be made in cash or eligible in-kind resources and must be documented and auditable.
• Confidentiality: Business information submitted during the application and programme will be treated confidentially and used for programme administration, selection, monitoring, evaluation, and learning purposes unless otherwise agreed with the participant.
• Appeals: There is no appeal process for rejected applications. Unsuccessful applicants are encouraged to consult the programme’s Implementation Guidelines for further information on eligibility and selection requirements.
Enterprises ready to turn agricultural data into stronger products, sustainable business growth, and greater impact for Tanzania’s smallholder farmers are encouraged to apply to the AgriTech4Tanzania Accelerator 2026.