African entrepreneurs and innovators, your next big break could be just around the corner! March is packed with game-changing opportunities — whether you’re seeking funding, mentorship, global exposure, or acceleration programs.
This carefully curated list features grants, fellowships, and competitions designed to provide you with the resources, expertise, and networks needed to take your venture to the next level.
STARTS Prize Africa 2025 [Deadline: March 5]
STARTS is now accepting entries for the STARTS Prize Africa 2025, organized by the European Commission. This prize recognizes projects that creatively drive positive social change and highlights collaborations between individuals, collectives, and organizations from diverse sectors.
- Prize Money: A total of €30,000 distributed among winners.
- Grand Prize: €15,000 for the best overall project.
- 5 Awards of Distinction: €3,000 each for noteworthy projects.
- Winners will present their work at the Ars Electronica Festival from September 3 – 7, 2025, in Linz, Austria, providing international visibility and networking opportunities.
- Eligibility: Open to individuals, collectives, and organizations across all sectors focusing on creativity for social good.
- Application Requirements: Submit a detailed project description, demonstrating the creativity and impact of your initiative.
European Commission Capacity Building Programme [Deadline: March 6]
The European Commission invites applications for its Capacity Building Programme, aimed at fostering international cooperation in youth and non-formal learning. This initiative seeks to enhance the capacities of youth organizations to contribute to sustainable socio-economic development.
- Funding: Up to €450,000 per project, covering various activities, including youth exchanges and participatory activities.
- Project Duration: Between 12 to 36 months, with the possibility of extensions based on justification.
- Focus Areas: Projects that promote youth participation, mobility, and cooperation across Europe and partner countries.
- Eligibility: Open to youth organizations, NGOs, and other relevant entities in the EU and partner countries.
Diaspora2030 Business Ideas for Development [Deadline: March 9]
Are you residing in Germany with a migration background from specific countries? Apply for Diaspora2030‘s start-up competition aimed at fostering innovative business ideas that address social and ecological challenges in your country of origin.
- What They Offer:
- Up to €7,000 in funding to cover essential services for your business idea implementation.
- Nine months of personalized support and coaching, including workshops and mentorship both in Germany and your home country.
- Tailored assistance based on the stage of development of your business idea, ensuring you receive relevant guidance.
- Eligibility: Applicants must have a migration history from Cameroon, Colombia, Ecuador, Ghana, India, Serbia, Tunisia, or Vietnam and possess a viable business idea with a social impact component.
VivaTech 2025 Startup Showcase (South African Startups) [Deadline: March 10]
The Embassy of France in South Africa is providing an exciting opportunity for up to 6 startups to join the South African delegation at VivaTech, Europe’s premier tech and innovation event scheduled for June 11-14, 2025.
- What’s Included:
- Round-trip flight to Paris for each selected startup.
- Accommodation during the event to ensure a comfortable stay.
- A 3-day ticket to the VivaTech Summit, featuring prominent speakers, workshops, and networking opportunities.
- A tailored program to explore the French tech and innovation landscape, providing insights and connections.
- Focus Areas: This year’s event will highlight Artificial Intelligence, Greentech, and Healthtech, aligning with global trends in technology and sustainability.
- Eligibility: Open to South African startups with innovative solutions in the specified focus areas.
RAISEAfrica 2025 Renewable Energy Accelerator [Deadline: March 14]
Are you an African entrepreneur with groundbreaking ideas for renewable energy? The RAISEAfrica program, powered by RES4Africa Foundation, is designed to support and scale Africa’s most promising clean energy innovations.
- Benefits:
- Thematic Focus: Projects related to technology innovation, manufacturing, digitalization, the water-energy-food nexus, circular economy, and new business models.
- Two Tracks: Participate in either the Pre-Accelerator for refining ideas or the Accelerator for scaling existing ventures.
- Cash Prizes: All entrants receive an entry token of €3,000, with top winners eligible for between €5,000 and €10,000 as the “Young Talent of the Year.”
- Expert Support: Access to mentorship, coaching, networking, fundraising opportunities, and potential investor engagement.
- Eligibility: Open to African entrepreneurs aged 18-35, with startups at any stage addressing challenges in the renewable energy sector.
Young Innovation Leaders (YIL) Fellowship 2025 [Deadline: March 14]
The Young Innovation Leaders Fellowship is a fully funded program designed to empower the next generation of African changemakers with world-class training and mentorship.
- Benefits:
- World-Class Mentorship from experienced leaders and industry experts.
- Immersive Leadership & Innovation Training to develop key skills.
- Extensive Professional Network connecting you to influential figures across various sectors.
- Practical, Real-World Experience through engaging projects and assignments.
- Career Growth Opportunities tailored to your aspirations.
- Eligibility: Applicants must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in any field and demonstrate strong skills in a specialized area with a proven ability to create innovative solutions.
Visa Accelerator Program (Fintech Startups) [Deadline: March 15]
The Visa Accelerator Program is seeking early-stage fintech startups operating in Africa to join its initiative, which offers mentorship and industry connections.
- What They Offer:
- Tailored mentorship and access to growth-enabling tools to help scale your startup.
- Industry connections to facilitate partnerships and collaborations.
- Resources to refine your business model and enhance your market presence.
- Eligibility: Open to seed to Series A startups with a minimum viable product (MVP) or market-ready solutions addressing innovative challenges aligned with Visa’s mission.
AU-EU Cooperation Grants [Deadline: March 16]
The European Youth Forum invites applications for the AU-EU Cooperation Grants, aimed at financially supporting youth organizations engaging in policy-making and fostering cross-continental collaboration between Africa and Europe.
- Grants Available: Up to €50,000 for consortiums of youth-led organizations to implement joint projects.
- Eligibility Requirements:
- Must be a formal youth-led organization.
- Located in an European Union member state or specific African countries (Ethiopia, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe).
- At least one cooperating organization must have prior experience in collaborative projects.
- Application Process:
- Review the funding manual (English)
- Prepare a project with at least one partner organization from the other continent.
- Submit a joint application
AfOx Health Innovation and Entrepreneurship Scheme [Deadline: March 17]
The Africa Oxford Initiative Health Innovation Programme supports outstanding African innovators in building high-growth startups that address health inequalities across the continent.
- Focus Areas: Health innovations that improve livelihoods and enhance public health outcomes in Africa.
- Eligibility: Open to individuals or teams with innovative solutions that have a measurable impact on health issues.
The NGO Whisperer Fellowship — Class of 2025 [Deadline: March 17]
The NGO Whisperer® Centre for Social Impact® invites social impact leaders worldwide to apply for its fellowship program, designed for exceptional leaders of NGOs and social enterprises.
- What Fellows Can Expect:
- One-on-one virtual mentorship and leadership coaching tailored to individual needs.
- Online masterclasses led by expert faculty to enhance leadership skills.
- Full access to the NGO Whisperer® Global Summit 2025, offering networking and learning opportunities.
- Membership in the NGO Whisperer® Global Community and alumni network for ongoing support.
- Eligibility: Open to leaders of NGOs and social enterprises, particularly those from low and middle-income countries.
Afrika Kommt! Programme [Deadline: March 23]
AFRIKA KOMMT! is a prestigious one-year fellowship program that connects visionary African professionals with leading German companies, fostering inclusive business collaboration.
- What Participants Gain:
- Refined leadership and management skills through practical experience.
- Access to valuable networks and career acceleration opportunities.
- Improved intercultural competence and understanding of the European business landscape.
- Eligibility: Open to citizens of any African country with a university degree in a relevant subject. A postgraduate degree (e.g., MBA) is an advantage, along with two to five years of work experience.
Nomfro Technologies’ Entrepreneurship Empowerment Project (NTEEP) [Deadline: March 30]
The Nomfro Technologies’ Entrepreneurship Empowerment Project (NTEEP) provides a transformative opportunity for African startups looking to thrive in the digital era.
- Program Features:
- Essential skills training, mentorship, and resources tailored to each entrepreneur’s needs.
- Access to a network of like-minded entrepreneurs and industry experts.
- Opportunities for pitching and securing funding for promising startups.
- Eligibility: Open to startup founders from across Africa with innovative business ideas and a commitment to growth.
