Opportunities
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
Grants, VC funds, accelerators, and competitions for African entrepreneurs.
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$10,000–$50,000 (varies by program)
Africa's largest network of innovation hubs, uniting 500+ hubs across 53 countries to empower entrepreneurs with skills, funding, and networks. AfriLabs channels grants and capacity building to innovation hubs and, through them, to African startups. Multiple programs operate simultaneously: ACBP (hub capacity building, EUR 2M), Catalytic Africa (co-investment matching fund with ABAN), RevUp Women (women enterprise development), AfriLabs Connect Deal Room (Seed/Series A capital access), and Greenovations Africa.
Grant Funding
Direct grants to hubs and entrepreneurs (historically EUR 10K-15K per hub for capacity building)
Network Access
Connection to 514 hubs across 53 countries and 280,000+ entrepreneurs
Investor Matching
Access to AfriLabs Connect Deal Room and Catalytic Africa co-investment fund
Capacity Building
Training, mentorship, and technical assistance for hubs and startups
Annual Gathering
Participation in AfriLabs Annual Gathering (2025: Nairobi, October 7-9)
Visibility
Featuring in AfriLabs Impact Report and media channels
AfriLabs Capacity Building Programme (ACBP)
EUR 2M, 36-month intensive capacity building for African innovation hubs. Funded by AFD.
Catalytic Africa
Co-investment program with ABAN (African Business Angels Network). Institutional matching fund to encourage angel investment in AfriLabs-affiliated startups.
RevUp Women
Enterprise development for early-stage women-led African businesses. Visa Foundation partnership. Goal: 50,000 women-led enterprises by 2026.
AfriLabs Connect Deal Room (ACDR)
Digital platform connecting high-growth Seed and Series A startups with investors across Africa.
Greenovations Africa
Green innovation and climate-focused entrepreneurship support across the continent.
Innovation hubs building local ecosystems and tech-enabled startups with scalable impact across Africa. AfriLabs prioritizes organizations that strengthen the broader innovation ecosystem — not just individual companies but the infrastructure that supports thousands of entrepreneurs. Strong interest in gender inclusion, green innovation, and digital economy solutions.
Ongoing membership in AfriLabs network. Access to annual gatherings and regional events. Peer learning with 514 hubs. Investor introductions through ACDR. Amari AI-powered learning assistant. Policy advocacy support.
No single 'Innovation Fund' product exists — AfriLabs operates multiple distinct programs. Check which specific program is currently accepting applications.
Join the AfriLabs network as a hub member first — most programs are available to member hubs only. The AfriLabs Annual Gathering is the best networking opportunity and where new programs are often announced. For startups, the Connect Deal Room (ACDR) is the direct path to investor matching. Follow AfriLabs social channels closely as program calls have short windows. The Catalytic Africa program (with ABAN) is particularly interesting for startups seeking angel investment matching.
2011
Active Since
Yes
Deploying
514 innovation hubs across 53 African countries; 280,000+ entrepreneurs reached in 2024; 100,000+ jobs created through ecosystem programs; EUR 250,000+ in direct hub grants (2020 round to 20 hubs); EUR 2M ACBP programme (AFD-funded)