The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has launched the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration and Partnership Programme 2026, a new initiative designed to support African entrepreneurs, innovators, and startup businesses. The programme, announced on May 20, 2026, aims to boost trade, innovation, economic cooperation, and private-sector collaboration between African nations and South Korea under the African Continental Free Trade Area framework.
Programme Overview
The initiative is organized by the AfCFTA Secretariat in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Korea-Africa Foundation. According to the Ministry, the programme will select about 30 startups from across Africa, particularly those operating in priority sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, manufacturing, logistics, agri-tech, and digital platforms.
Selected participants will receive business development support, mentorship, training opportunities, access to investors, and exposure to the Korean market. The programme also aims to help startups build partnerships and expand into global markets.
Eligibility Requirements
The programme is open to African startups that have innovative and scalable business models, are prepared for international expansion, have an interest in entering the Korean and global markets, and operate in sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, logistics, agri-tech, manufacturing, and digital services.
Programme Objectives
- Improve the growth and competitiveness of African startups
- Support expansion into Korean and international markets
- Encourage cross-border partnerships and investment opportunities
- Drive innovation and commercialization in key AfCFTA sectors
How to Apply
Interested applicants are advised to visit the official AfCFTA website for full details on eligibility, guidelines, and application procedures. Applications can be submitted through the official programme portal. For further enquiries, applicants may contact Abibata.Mahama@au-afcfta.org or SME.Support@au-afcfta.org. The deadline for applications is May 31, 2026.
The Ministry urged Nigerian entrepreneurs with innovative and scalable ideas to take advantage of the opportunity, noting that it aligns with Nigeria’s broader goals of promoting youth entrepreneurship, innovation, continental trade integration, and international partnerships.
Related Developments
In a related development, Google earlier announced the selection of 15 startups from across Africa for the 10th cohort of its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa, with four Nigerian firms included in the final list. The company said the cohort was chosen from nearly 2,600 applications, reflecting an acceptance rate of less than 1 per cent. The selected Nigerian startups — Bani, MasteryHive AI, Regxta, and Termii — focus on using artificial intelligence to address gaps in financial services and communications.
