AUDA-NEPAD Home Grown Solutions Accelerator 2026: Scale Your African Health or Climate Venture

The AUDA-NEPAD Home Grown Solutions Accelerator 2026 is a high-impact program designed to support African healthcare and climate ventures in scaling their businesses and strengthening their impact. This four-month accelerator, implemented by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD) in partnership with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), offers tailored support to growth and mature-stage companies working to improve health systems and climate resilience across Africa.

About the Program

The Home Grown Solutions (HGS) Accelerator was established to unlock the potential of African-led innovations that address critical development challenges on the continent. Initially launched to strengthen healthcare systems during the COVID-19 pandemic, the program has since evolved into a broader initiative supporting both healthcare and climate-focused ventures.

For the 2026 cohort, the accelerator expands its mandate to include climate resilience solutions alongside healthcare innovations. The program focuses on ventures that are already demonstrating traction and are ready to scale their impact across local and regional markets.

Selected companies will participate in a customized four-month acceleration program running between June and September 2026. During this period, participants will receive hands-on support tailored to their specific business needs. This includes advisory services, mentorship, and strategic guidance aimed at strengthening operations, improving market positioning, and enhancing long-term sustainability.

The accelerator also provides access to a strong network of partners, including investors, industry experts, and development organizations. Participants will benefit from continued engagement even after completing the program, gaining long-term access to a growing ecosystem of support.

Why This Opportunity Matters

Africa faces pressing challenges in both healthcare delivery and climate resilience. While innovative solutions are emerging across the continent, many businesses struggle to scale due to limited access to funding, expertise, and strategic partnerships.

The AUDA-NEPAD HGS Accelerator addresses these challenges by supporting locally developed solutions that are rooted in African contexts. By focusing on “home grown” ventures, the program ensures that innovations are not only relevant but also sustainable and scalable within the regions they serve.

The program’s track record highlights its impact. Since its inception, the accelerator has supported dozens of healthcare ventures across Africa, helping them raise significant investment, expand their reach, and improve service delivery. With the addition of climate-focused ventures in 2026, the program is set to play an even greater role in advancing sustainable development across the continent.

What Participants Will Gain

Participants in the accelerator will receive tailored, hands-on support designed to meet the specific needs of their businesses. This includes strategic advisory services that help refine business models, improve operational efficiency, and identify growth opportunities.

Companies will also benefit from investment readiness support, enabling them to better position themselves for funding opportunities. Through connections with investors and strategic partners, participants can access the networks necessary to scale their ventures.

Mentorship from experienced professionals and industry experts is another key benefit of the program. This guidance helps entrepreneurs navigate complex challenges and make informed decisions as they grow their businesses.

In addition, participants gain visibility within a pan-African and global ecosystem, increasing their chances of forming partnerships and expanding into new markets. The program’s alumni network also provides ongoing support, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing beyond the accelerator period.

Who Can Apply

The accelerator is open to African entrepreneurs leading for-profit companies that are at the growth or mature stage. Eligible ventures must demonstrate strong market traction, a clear customer base, and the potential to scale their operations.

Applicants must be operating primarily in Africa, employ mostly local staff, and have strong African representation within their leadership teams. These criteria ensure that selected ventures are deeply rooted in the local context and contribute to regional development.

Healthcare ventures should be working to strengthen Africa’s health systems through areas such as diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, maternal and child health, disease management, and healthcare logistics.

Climate-focused ventures should be addressing climate resilience through sectors such as clean energy, sustainable mobility, waste management and circular economy, or nature-based solutions.

Eligible Areas

The program is open to ventures operating across Africa, with a preference for companies working in multiple countries on the continent.

Application Process and Deadline

Interested applicants must complete the online application form for their respective sector. Separate application links are available for healthcare and climate ventures.

The application deadline is 19 May 2026. After submission, shortlisted companies will be required to provide additional information, including references and financial details. Final selections will be made by the end of May 2026, with the accelerator program beginning in June.

Learn more and apply on the Nepad website.

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