African startups can now apply for the Africa Startup Congress (ASC) National and Continental Pitch Competition, which will select startups from 10 African countries to compete at the continental stage in Kigali, Rwanda, in February 2027. The competition is open to startups in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Congo, and applications close on September 30, 2026.
About the Africa Startup Congress Pitch Competition
• The ASC Pitch Competition is part of the Africa Startup Congress 2027, organised by Accelerate Africa.
• The competition will first run through national pitch competitions in participating countries.
• The winner from each country will advance to the continental competition at the Africa Startup Congress in Kigali.
• The 2027 Africa Startup Congress will take place from February 24 to 26, 2027, at the Kigali Convention Center in Rwanda.
• The event is expected to bring together startups, investors, governments, development organisations, businesses and other ecosystem stakeholders from across Africa.
Eligibility Criteria
• The startup must be legally registered in one of the 10 participating countries.
• It must have already launched a product or service on the market, or have a functional prototype that has been tested with initial users.
• Idea-stage projects without a tangible product or prototype are not eligible.
• All sectors are eligible, including technology, fintech, agritech, healthcare, energy, education, e-commerce, logistics and creative industries.
• The founding team must have at least two members.
• At least one member of the founding team must be a national of the country where the startup is participating.
• All founding team members must be at least 18 years old by the application deadline.
• Startups demonstrating positive social or environmental impact will also receive particular consideration under the competition criteria.
Who Is Not Eligible?
Startups will not be eligible if they:
• Have raised more than US$500,000 in funding during the previous 12 months.
• Won first prize in an international startup competition within the previous 24 months.
• Have a founder who is a close relative of, or paid employee of, a competition jury member.
• Fail to meet the competition's registration, development-stage or founding-team requirements.
What Startups Can Gain
• The national competitions will give selected founders an opportunity to pitch their businesses before investors, mentors and other startup ecosystem stakeholders.
• Participating startups can gain visibility for their businesses.
• Exposure to investors and ecosystem stakeholders.
• Opportunities to connect with mentors and potential partners.
• Experience pitching their businesses at national and continental levels.
• The opportunity to represent their country at the continental ASC Pitch Competition in Kigali.
• The organisers say startups will be assessed around factors including innovation, scalability, traction and impact potential.
National and Continental Competition
• The first stage is the national competition, with participating countries holding their own selection process.
• Country winners will then proceed to the continental pitch competition during Africa Startup Congress 2027 in Kigali.
• The national pitch competitions and roadshows are scheduled to take place between October and November 2026.
• The continental Africa Startup Congress will run from February 24 to 26, 2027, with the continental pitch competition scheduled for the final day.
Application Languages
• Applications can be submitted in English or French.
• The online semi-final can also be presented in either language.
• At the national and continental finals, candidates may present in their country's official language or in English.
• Simultaneous interpretation will be available at the grand final in Kigali for candidates who do not speak English or French.
How to Apply
• Eligible startup founders should submit their applications through the official Africa Startup Congress competition portal.
• Application deadline: September 30, 2026.
• Applicants are advised to submit before the final day rather than waiting until the last hours of the deadline because applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
• The competition organisers also advise candidates to apply at least 48 hours before the deadline.
Key Details
• Opportunity: Africa Startup Congress Pitch Competition
• Edition: 2026–2027
• Organiser: Accelerate Africa
• Eligible countries: Cameroon, Congo, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria
• Eligible businesses: Registered startups with a launched product/service or tested functional prototype
• Sectors: All sectors
• Application deadline: September 30, 2026
• Competition languages: English and French
• Continental event: February 24–26, 2027
• Venue: Kigali Convention Center, Rwanda
The Africa Startup Congress Pitch Competition offers a structured pathway for early-stage and growing startups across 10 African countries to gain visibility, pitch before key stakeholders, and potentially represent their country at a continental stage in Kigali. With applications open until September 30, 2026, interested founders are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and submit through the official portal well before the deadline.