Apply for the GrowthAfrica ESO Uplift Programme 2026: Free Capacity Building for ESOs in Africa

Entrepreneur Support Organisations (ESOs) across Africa now have an exciting opportunity to strengthen their impact through the ESO Uplift Programme 2026, an action-oriented capacity-building initiative by GrowthAfrica.

Designed to support incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, and business support programmes, this fully funded programme helps organisations improve their ability to support and scale social impact enterprises (SIEs) across Africa.

If your organisation works with startups tackling social, environmental, or economic challenges, this programme could be the perfect opportunity to grow your impact.

About GrowthAfrica

Founded in 2002, GrowthAfrica is one of Africa’s leading Pan-African accelerator and entrepreneur support organisations.

The organisation focuses on helping impactful enterprises grow through:

• Tailored business acceleration programmes
• Strategic business guidance
• Access to investment opportunities
• Market entry support for international companies
• Building strong entrepreneur support ecosystems across Africa

GrowthAfrica also works closely with peer ESOs to strengthen the wider entrepreneurial ecosystem across the continent.

About the ESO Uplift Programme

The ESO Uplift Programme is part of the Social and Impact Entrepreneurship (SIE) Project, co-funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The programme is implemented by GrowthAfrica in collaboration with:

• Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation (DRK)
• Amahoro Coalition

The initiative targets ESOs in:

• Kenya
• Uganda
• Rwanda
• Zambia
• Ghana
• Egypt

Its main goal is to strengthen these organisations so they can better support and scale social impact enterprises.

Unlike traditional training programmes, the ESO Uplift Programme follows a learning-by-doing approach, where participants apply frameworks directly within their organisations.

This means participants will:

• Carry out practical analyses
• Develop implementation plans
• Redesign support programmes
• Collaborate with peer ESOs across Africa
• Receive mentorship and advisory support

What You Will Gain

The programme is designed to help build sustainable, high-performing ESOs.

1. Clarity on Your Value Creation

Participants will identify:

• the right target group
• ideal geography
• best programme offerings

This helps organisations focus their energy where it matters most.

2. Stronger Internal Capabilities

Build stronger operations and improve team capacity to deliver consistent results and scale confidently.

3. Resources for Sustainability

Receive practical guidance on:

• fundraising
• partnerships
• revenue generation
• impact measurement

4. Peer Learning Across Africa

Join a cohort of ESOs across six countries and benefit from shared learning, collaboration, and cross-border insights.

5. Continued Support After the Programme

At the end of the programme, 5 ESOs will be selected to continue receiving dedicated support from GrowthAfrica.

6. No Participation Fee

Thanks to co-funding by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation, participation is completely free of charge.

Programme Impact at a Glance

GrowthAfrica has already made significant impact across Africa:

• 27 team members
• 7 countries
• 100+ projects delivered
• 5,000+ entrepreneurs supported
• 45,000+ jobs created

Programme Structure

The programme runs for 12 months, beginning in July 2026, and is divided into three practical phases.

Phase 1: Initial Analysis

Time Commitment:

Approximately 4 hours per week

Includes:

• 4 virtual workshops (2.5 hours each)
• Individual follow-up and mentoring sessions
• Pre-reading and practical materials
• Identification of gaps in your current offerings

This phase helps organisations understand where improvements are needed.

Phase 2: Programme Redesign

Time Commitment:

Approximately 2–3 hours per week

Includes:

• Planning programme redesign with your team
• Individual advisory sessions
• Peer experience-sharing sessions

This stage focuses on redesigning your existing support programmes for stronger impact.

Phase 3: Programme Execution

Time Commitment:

Flexible

Includes:

• Submission of implementation plans for feedback
• Launch of your revised programme
• Monthly check-ins for ongoing support

This final stage ensures real implementation and sustainable change.

Eligibility Criteria

The programme is open to organisations running:

• incubators
• accelerators
• innovation hubs
• business support programmes

You do not need to identify specifically as an ESO—what matters is the work you do.

To qualify, your organisation must meet the following criteria:

1. Registered and Operating

Your organisation must be legally registered and actively operating in:

• Kenya
• Uganda
• Rwanda
• Zambia
• Ghana
• Egypt

2. You Support Social Impact Enterprises

You must work with businesses that generate revenue while intentionally addressing:

• social challenges
• economic challenges
• environmental challenges

3. At Least 2 Years of Experience

Your organisation should have a minimum of two years of experience supporting startups or post-revenue ventures through:

• acceleration
• mentorship
• training

4. Senior Leadership Commitment

A CEO, Co-founder, or Managing Director must attend all workshops to ensure strategic continuity and decision-making authority.

5. Working Proficiency in English

The entire programme is conducted in English, so participants must have working proficiency.

How to Apply

Interested organisations can APPLY HERE

Early applications are strongly encouraged, especially for organisations looking to strengthen their support systems and scale their impact across Africa.

The GrowthAfrica ESO Uplift Programme 2026 is more than just a training programme—it is a strategic opportunity for Entrepreneur Support Organisations to redesign, strengthen, and future-proof their support systems.

With no participation fee, expert mentorship, peer learning, and the potential for continued post-programme support, this initiative offers exceptional value for ESOs committed to building stronger social impact ecosystems across Africa.

If your organisation is ready to level up its impact, now is the time to apply.

Deadline: 31st May 2026

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