Securing funding is a pivotal step for start-ups aiming to transform innovative ideas into thriving businesses.
Many promising start-ups fail not because their ideas lack potential, but because they simply don’t have the financial backing to take off. This is where grants come in. Unlike loans, grants don’t need to be repaid, making them a game-changer for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses without the burden of debt.
In Africa, several organizations offer grants tailored to support entrepreneurs across various sectors.Below is an extensive overview of ten notable grant providers, detailing their focus areas, eligibility criteria, geographical reach, grant sizes, and ownership where available.
1. Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) Entrepreneurship Programme
Founded by Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist Tony Elumelu, the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme is dedicated to empowering African entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries. Since its inception in 2015, the foundation has provided training, mentoring, and funding to over 15,847 start-ups, investing over $80 million USD in seed capital and contributing to the creation of over 409,000 jobs in Africa.
Focus of Grants: TEF supports entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas or existing businesses not older than five years. The programme spans various sectors, with a special emphasis on businesses leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and green initiatives.
Eligibility:
- Open to all African entrepreneurs with scalable business ideas or businesses aged 0–5 years.
- Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
Countries Covered: All 54 African countries.
Grant Size: Selected entrepreneurs receive a non-refundable seed grant of $5,000 to either launch or scale their businesses.
2. Root Capital
Founded in 1999 by Willy Foote, Root Capital is a pioneering finance organization that supports high-impact agricultural businesses in Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The firm has provided over $1.4 billion in loans to more than 700 businesses across these regions.
Focus of Grants: Root Capital focuses on lending capital, delivering financial training, and strengthening market connections for agricultural enterprises that serve smallholder farmers. Root Capital
Eligibility:
- Agricultural businesses that are too large for microloans but too small for commercial lenders.
- Enterprises must demonstrate a commitment to social and environmental impact.
Countries Covered: Various countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
Grant Size: Root Capital provides loans rather than traditional grants, with amounts tailored to the needs and capacities of the businesses. For instance, a recent grant from the Walmart Foundation and Visa Foundation enabled Root Capital to disburse an additional $37 million to early-stage, gender-inclusive, and women-led businesses.
3. Shared Interest
Shared Interest is a UK-based ethical investment cooperative that has been supporting fair trade businesses and communities in developing countries since 1990. They provide financial services to producers, buyers, and other organizations committed to fair trade principles.
Focus of Grants: Shared Interest offers loans and credit facilities to fair trade producers and businesses, enabling them to access global markets and improve livelihoods.
Eligibility:
- Fair trade producers, cooperatives, and businesses that adhere to fair trade standards.
- Organizations must demonstrate financial stability and a commitment to social impact.
Countries Covered: Developing countries across Africa, Latin America, and Asia.
Grant Size: Shared Interest provides loans rather than grants, with amounts varying based on the needs and capacities of the businesses.
4. Seedstars World
Seedstars World is a Swiss-based organization founded in 2013 by Alisée de Tonnac and Pierre-Alain Masson. It focuses on supporting high-growth startups in emerging markets through competitions, acceleration programs, and investments.
Focus of Grants: Seedstars World organizes startup competitions across emerging markets, providing winners with funding, mentorship, and access to a global network.
Eligibility:
- Early-stage startups with a scalable product or service.
- Businesses must demonstrate innovation and potential for significant impact.
Countries Covered: Emerging markets across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Eastern Europe.
Grant Size: Winners of Seedstars competitions receive equity investments, with amounts varying based on the specific competition and the stage of the startup.
5. The Savannah Fund
Founded in 2012 by Mbwana Alliy, the Savannah Fund is a venture capital firm that provides early-stage funding to start-ups in Africa. While it primarily operates as an accelerator and investment firm, it also provides grants to promising tech start-ups with high growth potential.
Focus of Grants:
Savannah Fund focuses on supporting technology-driven start-ups in sectors such as:
FinTech (Financial Technology)
EdTech (Education Technology)
E-commerce
Healthcare technology
Agritech
The fund prioritizes start-ups that have scalable business models and the potential to expand beyond their home country.
Eligibility:
- Open to early-stage tech start-ups with innovative solutions.
- Must be an African-based business with strong potential for regional or global expansion.
- Preference is given to start-ups that have already launched a minimum viable product (MVP) or have early traction.
Countries Covered:
While Savannah Fund is based in Kenya, it supports start-ups across various African countries, particularly in East and West Africa.
Grant Size:
Savannah Fund typically provides funding in two ways:
- Seed funding grants: These range between $25,000 and $50,000, intended to help start-ups refine their business model.
- Venture capital investments: For more established start-ups, Savannah Fund provides investments of up to $500,000 in exchange for equity.
6. Lundin Foundation
The Lundin Foundation is a Canadian non-profit founded by the Lundin Group of Companies. It focuses on funding high-impact businesses that contribute to sustainable economic development.
Focus of Grants:
The foundation primarily supports small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that create jobs, promote sustainability, and drive economic development in resource-rich countries. Their funding often goes to businesses in agriculture, renewable energy, and technology.
Eligibility:
- Businesses must operate in one of the foundation’s focus regions.
- Companies should demonstrate a strong commitment to sustainability and social impact.
- Preference is given to start-ups and SMEs with scalable business models.
Countries Covered:
- African countries, particularly those where the Lundin Group operates.
- Latin America and select regions in Asia.
Grant Size:
The foundation offers a mix of grants, loans, and equity investments, depending on the needs of the business. Funding amounts vary, but they typically range from $10,000 to $250,000.
7. African Entrepreneurship Award
The African Entrepreneurship Award is backed by BMCE Bank of Africa and supports African entrepreneurs with high-potential business ideas.
Focus of Grants:
This grant is aimed at innovative businesses in education, healthcare, environment, and technology that have a strong social and economic impact.
Eligibility:
- Entrepreneurs must be from an African country.
- Business ideas should be scalable and have the potential to create jobs.
- Open to both early-stage entrepreneurs and established businesses.
Countries Covered:
- All 54 African countries.
Grant Size:
Winners receive between $50,000 and $150,000 in non-repayable grants.
8. African Women Development Fund (AWDF)
Founded in 2000, the African Women Development Fund (AWDF) supports women-led businesses and initiatives that promote gender equality and economic empowerment.
Focus of Grants:
AWDF funds projects related to:
- Women’s rights and leadership.
- Health and reproductive rights.
- Economic empowerment and entrepreneurship.
Eligibility:
- Applicants must be women-led organizations or businesses.
- The project must focus on promoting gender equality.
- Organizations should be legally registered in an African country.
Countries Covered:
- Over 40 African countries.
Grant Size:
Funding amounts range from $10,000 to $500,000, depending on the project scope.
9. She Leads Africa Accelerator Grants
She Leads Africa (SLA) is an organization that provides funding, mentorship, and networking opportunities to women entrepreneurs in Africa.
Focus of Grants:
The SLA Accelerator program funds high-growth, women-led businesses, especially in technology, agriculture, and consumer goods.
Eligibility:
- Open to women-led start-ups in Africa.
- Business must have at least one year of operations and demonstrated revenue growth.
- Founders must be willing to participate in the mentorship and training program.
Countries Covered:
- All African countries.
Grant Size:
Funding varies, but recipients can get up to $15,000 in grants along with business development training.
10. Miss Africa Seed Grants (For African Women in Tech Business)
The Miss Africa Seed Fund is an initiative by the DCA (Dot Connect Africa) Trust to empower women in technology-related businesses.
Focus of Grants:
This grant specifically funds women-led tech start-ups and initiatives aimed at increasing female participation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
Eligibility:
- Must be a woman-led organization or project.
- The business should focus on technology, innovation, or digital solutions.
- Preference is given to businesses that train or mentor young girls in tech.
Countries Covered:
- African countries with active participation in tech development.
Grant Size:
Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000, with additional mentorship and networking opportunities.
Applying for start-up grants requires more than just a great idea—you need to convince funders that your business has real-world impact and long-term sustainability.
Pro Tips for Grant Application:
Read the eligibility criteria carefully. Many applications get rejected simply because the business does not meet basic requirements.
Have a well-structured business plan. Show how you will use the funds efficiently.
Demonstrate social impact. Many grant providers want to see how your business benefits the community.
Stay persistent. Rejections happen, but they should be learning experiences, not roadblocks.
By researching the right grants and preparing strong applications, African entrepreneurs can secure the funding they need to bring their visions to life.
