AJF × SDRB Somalia Business Plan Competition 2026 for Early-stage Ventures

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Applications are open for AJF × SDRB Somalia Business Plan Competition 2026. The Africa Jobs Fund (AJF) and the Somali Development and Reconstruction Bank (SDRB) are looking for ambitious founders and operating teams ready to build the next generation of Somali export businesses.

You may already be running a company, developing an early-stage venture, or starting with a well-researched idea. Prior traction is not required. What matters is the quality of the opportunity, your connection to Somalia, and your ability to execute.

The competition targets entrepreneurs who want to build businesses that process local resources, supply international markets and create jobs in Somalia and its regions. Applications are open to founders with an established company, an early-stage venture or a well-researched business idea. Previous business traction is not compulsory.

AJF × SDRB Somalia Business Plan Competition Benefits

The competition offers a funding pathway for entrepreneurs looking to develop and expand productive businesses.

$20,000 prize: The winner will receive funding to help start or develop the proposed business.
Pilot funding: Promising projects may be considered for investment of up to $100,000 to test their business models.
Potential scale-up investment: Businesses that successfully demonstrate their models could access a pathway to up to $1 million in further investment.

The pilot and scale-up funding are not guaranteed grants. They depend on further assessment and the project’s performance.

Focus Areas

We are interested in productive and export-oriented businesses across areas such as:

Agriculture and agro-processing, including sesame, honey and bananas.
Livestock and meat processing, including cold-chain services and packaging.
Fisheries, including fish processing, cold storage and refrigerated logistics.
Natural products such as frankincense, myrrh, gum arabic and camel milk.
Light manufacturing and consumer goods.
Export support services, including testing, certification, packaging, logistics and quality assurance.

Other productive businesses may also be considered if they demonstrate a credible route to exports, job creation and higher incomes.

Eligibility Criteria for AJF × SDRB Somalia Business Plan Competition

They are looking for founders and teams who:

Have identified a credible productive, export-oriented business opportunity
Show strong judgment, initiative and ability to execute
Understand the most important assumptions, risks and unanswered questions behind the business
Are committed to building and operating the venture, not only advising it
Can explain how the business could create meaningful economic value and high-quality jobs