182
Application Deadline: September 4th, 2026
Applications are now open for the 2026 African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Innovation Challenge. As Africa advances the implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade aswell as the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat is excited to launch the second edition of the AfCFTA Digital Innovation Challenge to identify, nurture, and showcase innovative digital solutions, particularly those developed by women and young entrepreneurs, that advances the implementation of the AfCFTA Protocol on Digital Trade aswell as the Protocol on Women and Youth in Trade.
The inaugural AfCFTA Digital Innovation Challenge demonstrated the role and importance of this programme in cultivating a new generation of African innovators whose solutions contribute to strengthen intra-African trade and the realization of a seamless, inclusive and integrated African Digital Market.
Requirements
This challenge is open to:
- Individuals, teams, startups, and enterprises of an African Union Member State.
- Applications are open to African innovators and entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 35 years
- Applicants must demonstrate how their proposed digital solution addresses existing barriers to cross-border trade and contributes to the implementation of the AfCFTA.
- The innovation solution should be in operational to scaling phase.
Selection Criteria
Top 50 Shortlisted Innovators
The top 50 shortlisted innovators will receive foundational support aimed at strengthening their knowledge, expanding professional networks, and increasing the visibility of their innovations through:
- Participation in AfCFTA Secretariat led capacity building programmes on digital trade.
- Access to networking and collaboration opportunities within Africa’s innovation ecosystem.
- Inclusion in the AfCFTA innovation community.
Top 10 Winners
The top 10 winners will receive targeted business development support to accelerate the commercialisation and scaling of their innovations including:
- Enrollment in a tailored incubation or acceleration programme.
- Opportunities to showcase their innovations to prospective investors, strategic partners, customers, and other ecosystem stakeholders.
- Featured promotion through AfCFTA communication platforms, digital channels, and flagship events.
- Priority access to participate in AfCFTA platforms aligned with their innovation.
Top 5 Grand Winners
The top 5 winners will receive the Challenge’s highest level of recognition and strategic support, including:
- Formal recognition and unveiling during a high-level AfCFTA Forum.
- An exclusive engagement session with H.E. the Secretary-General of the AfCFTA Secretariat to discuss their innovations and explore opportunities for collaboration.
- Tailored mentorship from industry leaders and access to business development advisory services.
- Designation as AfCFTA Digital Innovation Champions, serving as ambassadors for the AfCFTA Digital Innovation Challenge.
Benefits
- Showcase your innovative solution as a solution for the realization of a single African digital market
- Gain mentorship, skills and capacity from relevant experts to support in scaling your innovation solution
- Unlock investments and partnerships to scale your innovation and business proposal through platforms organized or cohosted by AfCFTA Secretariat with other partners
- Networking with key stakeholders in the digital trade ecosystem.
How to Apply
- Submit your proposal through the application link by 4th September 2026.
- For inquiries, please contact the AfCFTA Secretariat @ [email protected]
For More Information: