10 Agriculture Funding Opportunities African Farmers and Agribusinesses Can Apply for Right Now
From grants to fellowships, ten funding opportunities are currently open to African farmers, researchers, and agribusinesses. Here is what is available and how to apply.
1. Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme
Sector: Agribusiness & Entrepreneurship | Amount: Up to US$5,000 (non-refundable) + Mentoring | Deadline: 1 March 2026
The TEF Entrepreneurship Programme remains one of the most accessible funding opportunities on the continent, open to citizens and legal residents across all 54 African countries aged 18 and above. Agriculture is explicitly listed among the supported sectors, making it a natural fit for smallholder farmers looking to formalise their operations and for early-stage agribusiness entrepreneurs. Beyond the seed capital, recipients gain access to structured business training and a pan-African alumni network that continues to deliver value long after the funding is disbursed. Applications are accepted in English, French, and Portuguese making this one of the most inclusive programmes of its kind.
Apply Here: tefconnect.com
2. GIZ Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) – Agri Canvas Competition
Sector: Agribusiness (Maize, Livestock, Cashew, Cocoa) | Amount: Financial support + Technical Assistance | Deadline: Winners announced September 2026
Funded by the European Union and implemented by GIZ, the ABF Agri Canvas Competition invites entrepreneurs in OACPS African member states to submit climate-smart business concepts across four specific value chains: maize, livestock, cashew, and cocoa. Submissions must include a climate-resilience component, a revenue model, and an estimated capital requirement so preparation is key. Beyond funding, selected enterprises receive hands-on mentoring and technical assistance from the ABF team. Each applicant may only submit one idea per submission window, so take time to choose and develop your strongest concept before applying.
Apply Here: agribusiness-facility.org
3. Mastercard Foundation Fund for Resilience and Prosperity – Agribusiness Challenge Fund
Sector: Agribusiness SMEs | Amount: US$500,000 – US$2.5 million over 3 years | Deadline: Rolling, check portal
This is one of the largest dedicated agribusiness grant opportunities currently available on the continent, and it is specifically designed for existing for-profit SMEs operating in agriculture across at least one of 20 focus Sub-Saharan African countries. A core selection criterion is job creation for young women and men with limited financial means, including refugees and people living with disabilities, meaning social impact and business viability must go hand in hand. Women-led businesses are strongly encouraged to apply. Successful recipients also receive tailored technical assistance alongside the grant, making this a genuinely comprehensive package for businesses ready to scale.
Apply Here: frp.org/challenge-fund
4. EIT Food: Women in Agrifood (EWA) 2026
Sector: Agri-Food Technology | Amount: Up to €10,000 + Intensive Mentorship | Deadline: March 15, 2026
The EIT Food Women in Agrifood programme is designed for women entrepreneurs and innovators working at the intersection of food technology and agriculture. Beyond the €10,000 in direct funding, the intensive mentorship component is arguably equally valuable connecting recipients with a network of European agri-food industry leaders, investors, and innovators. Consequently, if you are a woman-led agri-food tech venture looking for both capital and strategic guidance, this opportunity closes imminently and therefore demands immediate attention.
Apply Here: Women in Agrifood (EWA) 2026
5. INCiTiS-FOOD – Open Call for Independent Innovators
Sector: Urban Agri-Food Technology & Circular Economy | Amount: Funding + Living Lab Access | Deadline: Monitor for next call
INCiTiS-FOOD targets startups and SMEs developing circular agri-food solutions in African cities, supporting innovators working with Living Labs on sustainable technologies such as hydroponics, aquaponics, and insect farming. What sets this opportunity apart is the real-world testing environment it provides selected innovators are embedded into functioning urban food systems where they can develop, test, and refine their solutions with genuine market feedback. The second open call has closed, but a third call is expected. Entrepreneurs working at the intersection of urban food systems and circular economy principles should register their interest early to avoid missing the next window.
Apply Here: incits-food.eu
6. AECF – REACT 2.0 (Ethiopia)
Sector: Climate-Smart Agriculture & Renewable Energy | Amount: Milestone-based funding | Deadline: Check portal
The Africa Enterprise Challenge Fund is inviting private-sector companies in Ethiopia to apply under REACT 2.0, a Sida-funded programme accelerating inclusive renewable energy and climate-smart agriculture solutions. Unlike traditional grant models, REACT 2.0 uses milestone-based disbursement meaning businesses receive funding tranches tied to verified results rather than a single upfront payment. This structure is deliberately designed to attract serious, execution-ready businesses. Applicants should factor milestone timelines carefully into their cash flow planning, but for businesses with a clear implementation roadmap, this is a genuinely well-structured opportunity to scale climate-resilient agriculture in Ethiopia.
Apply Here: aecfafrica.org
7. Global Agriculture and Food Security Program (GAFSP) – Agro Inputs Risk Sharing Facility
Sector: Agro-Inputs & Smallholder Finance | Amount: Catalysing up to US$200 million in lending | Deadline: Ongoing — engage through financial institutions
This facility blends GAFSP grants with concessional African Development Bank financing to unlock up to US$200 million in private-sector lending for smallholders and agribusinesses across Ethiopia, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and Zambia. Rather than providing direct grants to individuals, it works by de-risking lending, enabling banks and microfinance institutions to extend credit to smallholder farmers who would otherwise be considered too risky. For farmers and cooperatives in the five target countries, the practical entry point is to engage your bank or microfinance institution directly and ask how they are participating in this facility.
Apply Here: gafspfund.org
8. IFAD — Rural Development Grants and Loans
Sector: Rural Agriculture & Food Security | Amount: Grants and low-interest loans (project-dependent) | Deadline: Ongoing
The International Fund for Agricultural Development is one of the most significant multilateral funders of African agriculture, investing directly in rural communities across the continent through grants and low-interest loans. Funding priorities include market access, value chain development, and climate resilience all areas where African smallholder farmers face acute structural challenges. IFAD resources are primarily accessed through national governments and institutional partners, meaning cooperatives and NGOs seeking funding should engage their country’s Ministry of Agriculture or Finance to identify the pipeline of active and upcoming IFAD-supported programmes in their country.
Apply Here: ifad.org/en/grants
9. African Development Bank Technologies for African Agricultural Transformation (TAAT-III)
Sector: Agricultural Research & Technology Scaling | Amount: US$16.61 million programme (partnership-based access) | Deadline: Ongoing
AfDB and IITA have signed a US$16.61 million grant agreement to scale climate-resilient food production under TAAT-III, focusing on deploying proven agricultural technologies, strengthening seed systems, and building partnerships across research institutions, governments, and private sector actors. For agribusinesses and research organisations working in food crops, TAAT-III represents a meaningful opportunity for co-implementation and partnership rather than direct grant access. Organisations working in seed production, extension services, or agricultural research should contact IITA or their national agricultural research institutes to explore entry points into the programme.
Apply Here: afdb.org
10. Open Doors Fellowship Programme (ODFP)
Sector: Agricultural Research (Women Researchers) | Amount: Financial incentive + Research stay in Belgium | Deadline: Check programme website
The Open Doors Fellowship Programme is a targeted opportunity for post-doctoral and mid-career African women building careers in agricultural science. Eligible fields span plant breeding, agrobiotechnology, molecular biology and genetics, microbiology, chemical ecology, plant and soil health, livestock, and aquaculture — with no age restrictions attached. Fellows receive financial incentives, capacity-building support, and a research stay in Belgium that provides access to world-class infrastructure and international scientific networks. For African women researchers who qualify, this fellowship offers a rare combination of funding, global exposure, and professional recognition that few other programmes provide.
Apply Here: ilvo.vlaanderen.be (search: Open Doors Fellowship)
Disclaimer
Africa Agribusiness News (AAN) is committed to informing and empowering agricultural communities across Africa as per our mandate. This article is intended for informational purposes only. Funding details, deadlines, and eligibility criteria are subject to change. Readers are advised to verify all information directly with the relevant funding organisations before making any decisions.
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