AUDA-NEPAD Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator Program 2027 for African Growth-stage Companies

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Applications are open AUDA-NEPAD Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator Program 2027. The Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator (HGSA-A) is a COMESA regional initiative funded by the Government of New Zealand through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and implemented by AUDA-NEPAD that supports growth-stage agribusinesses delivering scalable, innovative, and impact-driven solutions across Africa’s agricultural value chain.

The HGSA-A seeks to promote inclusive and sustainable agribusiness growth by scaling African-owned and -led enterprises addressing food insecurity, climate challenges, and trade barriers. The programme provides tailored support to strengthen investment readiness, enhance fundraising capacity, and expand regional trade under the AfCFTA framework.

Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator Program Benefits

Context-specific Advisory Services
- Tailored advisory services designed to address the unique challenges and opportunities in your market and industry sector
Cross-border Regulatory & Trade Facilitation Under AfCFTA
- Navigate African Continental Free Trade Area opportunities with expert guidance on regulations and cross-border trade facilitation
Investment Readiness & Fundraising Support
- Potential for accessing HGSA-A investment funding to support business growth.
Matching to Strategic Partners
- Connect with regional buyers, investors, mentors and other strategic partners to accelerate your business growth
Post-Acceleration Support
- Continued support and guidance even after completing the acceleration program to ensure sustained growth and success

Eligibility Criteria

Join Africa’s premier agribusiness acceleration program. We support established enterprises led by African innovators ready to transform agriculture across the continent.

Legally Registered and Operational
- Be legally registered and operational in a COMESA member state.
African-Owned or Led Growth-Stage Company
- Be African-owned or led growth-stage company.
Women-Owned/Led & Youth-Led Preference
- Strong preference to women-owned or led enterprises (70%) and youth-owned or led (18-35) enterprises (30%).
High-Potential Agribusiness Value-Chains
- Operate within inclusive high-potential agribusiness value-chains such as high value crops (excluding primary production). This includes sectors such input supply, agro-processing, value addition, commercialisation, import substitution, aggregation, logistics, distribution, market access services, digital agriculture, and climate-smart inputs.
Proven and Innovative Business Model
- Demonstrate a proven and innovative business model, with an annual turnover close to USD 100,000 (this will vary from one country to the other).
Regional or International Market Access Potential
- Demonstrate potential for accessing regional or international markets and clear scalability prospects eg. through established or emerging export linkages, partnerships across the COMESA region, proven demand beyond local markets, a replicable business model adaptable to different contexts, or a clear strategy for regional expansion.
Audited Financial Accounts and Compliance
- Have audited financial accounts for at least the last 3 years and basic compliance structures.
Inclusive Participation
- Prioritize inclusive participation, including the employment or service of youth, women, people with disabilities and refugees, as well as contribute to food security and nutrition goals.
HGSA-A Development Objectives
- Contribute to HGSA-A’s broader development objectives of driving sustainable agribusiness growth that promotes Africa’s stability and prosperity.
Green Growth Promotion
- Actively pursue and promote Green growth (in line with the OECD Green Growth Strategy), applying climate change mitigation or adaptation techniques and sustainable agricultural practices eg. resources-efficient processes, renewable energy products, waste reduction and recycling or sustainable packaging.

Eligible Businesses

The Accelerator supports companies operating across the agricultural value chain involved in:

Input supply
Aggregation
Processing
Storage
Logistics
Distribution
Market access
Digital agriculture
Value addition

Selection Process:

Stage 1: Technical Eligibility
- Review of required documentation including business registration and financial statements.
Stage 2: Thematic Innovation Alignment (Interviews)
- Companies undergo interviews to assess their alignment with HGSA-A priorities, business model scalability, and socio-economic impact.
Stage 3: Due Diligence
- Companies are assessed for their credibility and readiness for acceleration, including a thorough review of their business model, leadership, growth potential, and impact — with emphasis on sustainability, inclusivity, and alignment with HGSA-A objectives.