The Digital and Green Innovation Acceleration Programme is an early-stage support initiative for entrepreneurs in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Uganda who are building digital solutions that advance environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, and circular innovation. The programme sits under the EU-backed Digital and Green Innovation Action (DGI), which mobilizes Team Europe resources to accelerate the “twin transition” (green + digital) in Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.
Programme snapshot
- Audience: Early-stage, for-profit startups operating in Kenya, Ethiopia, or Uganda
- Theme: Digital solutions with measurable sustainability or climate-resilience outcomes
- Deadline: 10 November 2025 (GMT+1)
- Organizer: D4D Hub (Digital for Development Hub)
What selected startups receive
- Practical, hands-on business acceleration
- Expert mentorship from domain and venture specialists
- Investor-readiness support and curated introductions
- Market access and visibility opportunities
- Seed funding and avenues for international exposure
Who should apply (eligibility)
- Registered and operational in Kenya, Ethiopia, or Uganda
- Building digital products/services that contribute to environmental sustainability, climate adaptation, or circularity
- At MVP or early-revenue stage
- At least two active co-founders
- Demonstrated growth potential and early market traction
- Commitment to inclusion; youth- and women-led teams are especially encouraged
Focus sectors (examples)
- Clean technology & energy: Distributed renewables, efficiency, clean cooking, energy-IoT
- Environmental services: Air/water monitoring, remote sensing, nature & compliance tools
- Financial services (green/climate): Asset financing for green hardware, PAYGo, insurance
- Green transportation & e-mobility: EV two-wheelers, charging, fleet optimization
- Utilities (power/water): Smart metering, billing, grid/leak monitoring, demand response
- Waste management & recycling: Collection, sorting/AI, plastics/organics/e-waste recovery
Geographic scope & target users
- Primary programme reach: Kenya, Ethiopia, Uganda
- End customers: Households, MSMEs, farmers, logistics operators, utilities, municipalities, and institutions seeking cost-effective, climate-smart digital solutions
Key dates & process
- Applications close: 10 November 2025 (GMT+1)
- Shortlisted teams advance to acceleration, mentorship, and investor-readiness activities, culminating in visibility and funding opportunities.
- Application and updates are available on the official programme page (link above).
About the umbrella initiative: Digital and Green Innovation Action (DGI)
- Scope: DGI is a global initiative active in Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America & the Caribbean, and Asia-Pacific.
- Purpose: Accelerate the twin transition by offering tailored support to innovators, convening multi-stakeholder policy dialogues, and organizing finance matchmaking and advisory.
- Support modalities: Funding, mentorship, entrepreneurial capacity building, and financial-readiness advice; emphasis on inclusive innovation with a focus on women and youth.
- Who’s involved: Team Europe partners, with co-funding from EU entities and Member State cooperation agencies; implementing partners include organizations such as GIZ, AFD, Enabel, ESTDEV (Estonia), and RVO (Netherlands).
In summary, this listing spotlights a region-specific accelerator channeling Team Europe resources to help East African founders scale digital, climate-positive solutions. Interested teams should rely on the official programme page for the latest details, timelines, and application steps.