Call for Youth and Women Agri-Innovators: Apply for the HealthyDiets4Africa Agribusiness Accelerator Program @Innovators: Apply for the HealthyDiets4Africa Agribusiness Accelerator Program

What if the next breakthrough in Africa’s food systems comes from a young innovator with a simple but powerful idea?

Extended Deadline Gives More Innovators a Chance to Apply

Across Africa, youth and women are creating innovative solutions that are transforming how food is produced, processed, and consumed. From improving agricultural productivity to reducing post-harvest losses and promoting healthier diets, these innovators are playing a critical role in shaping stronger, more resilient food systems.

To ensure more innovators have the opportunity to participate, the application deadline for the Scaling Food Systems Innovations by Youth and Women for the HealthyDiets4Africa initiative has been extended.

If you are a youth or woman working on an agricultural or food systems innovation, this could be your opportunity to scale your idea, strengthen your enterprise, and contribute to building healthier diets across Africa.

New Application Deadline: 22 March 2026 (Midnight)

About the HealthyDiets4Africa Agribusiness Accelerator Program

The Agribusiness Accelerator Program for Youth and Women in Agribusiness – Cohort III is part of the European Union-funded HealthyDiets4Africa Project implemented by Food Security for Peace and Nutrition Africa (FSPN-Africa).

The program aims to empower and equip youth and women innovators with the knowledge, skills, and resources needed to scale their agribusiness innovations and become investor-ready.

Through this initiative, participants will receive access to a dynamic learning and business support ecosystem designed to help transform promising ideas into sustainable agribusiness ventures.

Key areas of support include:

• E-learning and specialized training programs
• Business development and innovation mentorship
• Networking with experts, partners, and investors
• Access to market opportunities and collaboration platforms

By participating in the accelerator, innovators will strengthen their business models, increase consumer traction, and enhance the scalability of their agri-nutrition solutions.

Who Should Apply?

The program is open to youth and women innovators in Kenya who are working on agricultural or food system solutions with strong growth potential.

Applicants from the following counties are highly encouraged to apply:

• Nairobi
• Makueni
• Kitui
• Machakos
• Kiambu
• Kajiado
• Murang’a

Applications can be submitted by individuals or teams of up to 10 members.

Age Requirements

• Youth applicants: 18 – 35 years
• Women applicants: 35 – 45 years

All team members must meet the relevant age eligibility criteria.

Eligible Innovation Areas

To qualify for the accelerator program, your innovation or enterprise must address a food systems challenge in at least one of the following areas:

1. Sustainable Crop Production

Solutions that improve agricultural productivity while managing natural resources such as soil and water, and ensuring safe food production.

2. Urban and Peri-Urban Agriculture

Innovations that enable healthy food production in small spaces such as cities and densely populated areas.

3. Value Addition and Food Fortification

Technologies, enterprises, or processes that transform raw agricultural products into value-added foods or enhance the nutritional value of indigenous foods.

4. Post-Harvest and Storage Innovations

Solutions designed to reduce food loss and waste through improved storage, preservation, and post-harvest handling.

5. Training, Distribution, and Aggregation Services

Services that strengthen the food system through improved logistics, market access, and farmer capacity building.

Target Value Chains

The program particularly supports innovations focused on novel and underutilized food value chains, including:

Vegetables

• Mushrooms
• African leafy vegetables
• Pumpkin and pumpkin leaves

Cereals

• Finger millet
• Pearl millet
• Sorghum

Tubers

• Cassava
• Yams
• Sweet potatoes

Legumes

• Pigeon peas
• Cowpeas
• Groundnuts
• Green grams
• Beans

Fruits

• Tree tomato
• Guava
• Baobab

Livestock

• Indigenous poultry
• Insects for food and animal feed

These value chains have strong potential to improve nutrition, strengthen local food systems, and create sustainable agribusiness opportunities.

Youth and Women Agri-Innovators: Eligibility Requirements for Enterprises

To be considered for the accelerator program, your innovation must:

• Address a clear food system challenge
• Be operational in Kenya
• Have been in operation for no more than five years
• Have a minimum viable product (MVP) or prototype
• Demonstrate uniqueness, feasibility, and sustainability

What Participants Will Gain

Selected participants will benefit from a range of opportunities designed to accelerate business growth and innovation impact.

1. Business Development Support

Participants will receive training, mentorship, and technical support to strengthen their business models and innovation strategies.

2. Seed Awards

The top three high-potential innovations will share a total award of $5,000 to support scaling their solutions.

3. Funding and Investor Linkages

Innovators will be connected with potential investors, partners, and funding opportunities through the program’s network.

4. Market Exposure

Participants will gain visibility through national and international trade fairs, exhibitions, expos, and exchange programs.

5. Collaboration Opportunities

Innovators will connect with the wider HealthyDiets4Africa ecosystem, opening doors to partnerships, learning, and joint initiatives.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit their innovation through the official application form and provide a 1–2 minute video or audio pitch explaining their solution.

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning early submissions have a better chance of being considered.

Final Deadline: 22 March 2026 at 11:59 PM

VISIT OFFICIAL WEBSITE HERE TO APPLY

Africa’s food systems are evolving rapidly, and youth and women innovators are at the forefront of this transformation. Their ideas, technologies, and enterprises are helping build sustainable agriculture, reduce hunger, and improve nutrition across the continent.

If you are working on a promising agricultural innovation or food system solution, the HealthyDiets4Africa Agribusiness Accelerator Program could be the platform you need to take your idea to the next level.

Apply today and be part of a growing movement shaping the future of Africa’s food systems.

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Disclaimer: Global South Opportunities (GSO) is not the organization that is offering this funding. For any inquiries, please contact the official organization directly. Please do not send your applications & CVs to GSO, as we are unable to process them. Due to the high volume of emails, we receive daily, we may not be able to respond to all inquiries. Thank you for your understanding.