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Scaling digital Agriculture Innovations through Start-ups (SAIS), mis en œuvre par Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH pour le compte du BMZ, co-financé par la Gates Foundation · SAIS (programme mis en œuvre par GIZ)

SAIS Accelerator Programme for start-ups

Deadline
4 days left
Funding
Partial funding

Apply on the official site

This programme supports African agri-sector start-ups with mentorship, technical assistance, a grant, and access to investors and working capital loans. It is aimed at teams already established in Africa and active in agricultural value chains, and the call is open until 15 November 2026. Applications are submitted through an online form with a pitch deck attached.

Verified on 8 November 2026

This programme supports African start-ups in the agricultural sector through mentorship, grants up to 40,000 EUR, loans, and investor access: the call is open until 15 November 2026 for companies registered in Africa. Applications close on 15 November 2026, that is in 4 days.

Next action

How to apply

Before preparing your application, check the blocking conditions.

Apply on the official site

Conditions

Blocking requirements

  • Entité commerciale enregistrée en Afrique

    “For-profit and registered in Africa”

  • Équipe de direction minimale

    “Management team of at least two people”

  • Stade de financement admissible

    “Pre-seed through Series A”

  • Traction minimale requise

    “At least MVP, ideally recurring revenue, paying customers and established partnerships”

  • Candidature via le formulaire en ligne Equisy

    Drawn from the published conditions, to be confirmed with the organiser.

Assets

  • Pas de prise de participation

    “No equity taken”

Watch points

  • Priorités régionales spécifiques pour secteurs

    “Dairy: ... particularly relevant to dairy value chains in East Africa (Kenya and Ethiopia). Aquaculture: ... particularly relevant to aquaculture value chains in West Africa (Nigeria and Senegal).”

Dr Kafoutchoni’s reading

The key word here is “relevance”: for start-ups outside the Kenya, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Senegal corridors, the file must show that the solution truly serves a priority dairy or aquaculture value chain. The real trap is not the lack of a big funding round, but a pitch deck that is too generic and fails to show an MVP, traction, or a team of two. The right sequence is simple: build the deck around the problem, the product already tested, and the first customers, then link the funding ask to what the programme can actually provide. Then submit the form with that focused narrative before 15 November 2026.

Dr Medard Kafoutchoni · PhD in Genetics & Bioinformatics · Scholarship Strategist.

Deadlines

Deadline: Open2027

Date publiée dans la section « Programme Timeline » de la page de l'appel pour 2027

What is actually funded

  • Budget d'assistance techniqueJusqu'à €15 000 pour consultancies, expert support, legal advice, online marketing, licences, certifications, ESG governance, product optimisation, market entry strategies, customer acquisition & sales campaigns, marketing & PR, graphic design, employee training, et plus
  • TravelVoyages entièrement sponsorisés pour deux événements communautaires en présentiel (coïncidant avec Sankalp Africa Summit à Nairobi en février) et une conférence sectorielle supplémentaire
  • Facilitation investissement et partenariatsPitch sessions sur invitation, introductions aux investisseurs et fonds, guidance sur stratégie de fundraising et due diligence
  • Subvention de projetSubvention pouvant aller jusqu'à €40 000 pour start-ups éligibles de la communauté SAIS
  • PrêtAccès à des prêts de fonds de roulement renouvelables jusqu'à €50 000 avec maturité 9 mois et intérêt 1.5 %
  • Communauté et mentoratAccès à une communauté de 100+ entreprises du portefeuille, mentors et experts sectoriels

Not covered: Frais de participation

Countries covered

Eligible applicants are for-profit start-ups registered in Africa, led by a management team of at least two people. The programme gives priority to dairy value chains, especially in Kenya and Ethiopia, and to aquaculture, especially in Nigeria and Senegal. Outside these countries, applicants must show a strong link to these value chains, not just a general agricultural activity. The expected application already rests on an MVP, with recurring revenue, paying customers, and partnerships that strengthen credibility.

Application pathway

A short path from reading the brief to submitting a properly prepared application.

  1. Check the conditions

    Read the exclusions and blocking requirements before investing time in the application.

  2. Prepare the documents

    Gather the documents below and confirm what the programme actually requests.

  3. Submit on the official site

    Use the official application link and respect the deadline for the relevant cycle.

  4. Track the cycle

    Keep proof of submission and watch for follow-up requests from the provider.

Documents to prepare or confirm

This list helps you prepare; it does not replace the programme’s official checklist.

  • PitchdeckUpload a document (PDF, Word or PowerPoint, max 50 MB)

Fit with your profile

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See the sources

A demanding application

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See also: Scholarships in agriculture and agronomy

These briefs are drawn from official sources on the date shown. Programmes change their rules without notice: always check the provider’s own site before applying.

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