Empowering African Entrepreneurs for Sustainable Growth
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched the Accelerate Africa Entrepreneurship Challenge, a transformative funding initiative designed to empower African youth and women entrepreneurs. This challenge is part of UNDP’s broader Youth and Women Entrepreneurship Portfolio, which aims to address the continent’s growing youth population, promote economic inclusion, and drive job creation across Africa.
Through this initiative, UNDP seeks to provide grant funding, technical assistance, and governance support to innovative African ventures committed to solving social and economic challenges. The program represents a key component of UNDP’s mission to accelerate inclusive, sustainable development through entrepreneurship.
Background and Purpose
Africa’s population is the youngest in the world, with millions entering the job market annually. However, limited access to capital and business development resources continues to hinder the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The Accelerate Africa Entrepreneurship Challenge directly responds to these gaps by investing in Micro, Small, and Mid-Size Enterprises (MSMEs) that:
- Address Africa’s youth bulge by creating sustainable employment opportunities.
- Economically empower youth and women to tackle social challenges through business.
- Address unmet needs of underserved or at-risk communities.
- Strengthen market linkages and formalize supply chains for youth and women-owned businesses.
By supporting such ventures, UNDP aims to nurture a new generation of African entrepreneurs driving inclusive economic transformation.
Funding Support and Benefits
The Challenge will award grants ranging from US$50,000 to US$250,000 per enterprise. Winning applicants will receive both financial and technical support to help scale their impact.
Successful applicants will gain access to:
- Grant capital between US$50,000 – US$250,000, depending on project size and scalability.
- Intensive local technical assistance to strengthen business operations.
- Governance and mentorship support from experts and development partners.
This blend of funding and mentorship ensures that entrepreneurs not only receive capital but also the skills and structures necessary for long-term success.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for consideration, applicants must meet the following mandatory requirements:
Ownership and Registration
- The entity must be 100% African-owned and managed.
- The enterprise must be legally registered and operating within Africa.
- Applicants must submit government-issued IDs or passports verifying citizenship of all owners and senior managers.
- If ownership is shared with another entity, proof of citizenship for the parent entity’s owners must also be provided.
Nature of the Entity
- Both for-profit and non-profit enterprises are eligible, provided they are not government-owned or affiliated.
- Applicants must operate in good standing with local regulatory authorities.
Financial and Operational Capacity
- Applicants must demonstrate the ability to track, manage, and report on project resources.
- The total proposed budget must not exceed US$250,000.
- Projects exceeding this threshold must present leveraged funding from credible private sector or donor partners.
- Applicants should ideally provide two years of audited financial statements or equivalent financial documentation.
Proposal Requirements
All proposals should demonstrate a clear, measurable impact and a viable sustainability plan. Applications will be assessed based on their capacity to improve livelihoods, empower youth and women, and create jobs.
Winning proposals will typically exhibit:
- Impact: The ability to create tangible social and economic improvements within underserved communities.
- Sustainability: A clear model for long-term financial and operational viability.
- Scalability: Potential to expand operations and reach more beneficiaries across regions.
Application Process
The application process consists of two phases:
Phase I – Initial Proposal Review
All submitted proposals will undergo an initial review by an expert panel. Applicants must submit a complete proposal package, including the required documentation listed below. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted to proceed to Phase II.
Phase II – Evaluation and Final Selection
Shortlisted applicants will undergo a more detailed evaluation process, including interviews, due diligence, and final proposal assessment.
Required Submissions
Applicants must submit the following documents as part of their proposal:
- Completed UNDP Proposal Form.
- Organization’s Incorporation Documents or legal registration certificate.
- Proof of Ownership (IDs or passports of all owners and senior management).
- Tax Clearance Certificate (where applicable).
- Past financial statements or audited reports (if available).
- Three business references demonstrating credibility and performance history.
- Proposed budget and justification, detailing:
- Narrative explanation of how the funds will be used.
- Budget categories and itemized estimates.
- Justification for each item’s relevance and necessity to the project.
Applications that are incomplete or fail to meet the documentation requirements will not be considered.
Selection Priorities
Preference will be given to projects that:
- Benefit underserved rural or urban populations.
- Are women-owned or youth-led enterprises.
- Clearly demonstrate financial sustainability and scalability.
- Outline a specific number of new jobs to be created.
- Strengthen supply chain inclusion for small-scale producers or service providers.
- Operate in sectors that promote innovation, resilience, and community development.
Evaluation Criteria
UNDP will assess all applications based on the following parameters:
- Impact Potential: Demonstrated ability to improve lives and economic opportunities.
- Sustainability: Evidence that the venture can operate independently post-funding.
Innovation: Novel approaches to addressing persistent socio-economic challenges. Accountability: Transparent governance and financial management structures.
