Business grant opportunities in Nigeria and Africa
Are you a business owner looking for ways to enlarge your business? Applying for grants is the best option you have and to make that extremely easy, we have compiled a list of Business grant opportunities in Nigeria and Africa that you can apply for.
Trying out one of two of them isn’t a bad thing as you meet the basic requirements.
1. Africa’s Young Entrepreneur Empowerment Nigeria (AYEEN)
Africa’s young entrepreneur empowerment is an organization that helps business owner expands or establish their ideas by providing funds to help their ideas.
They also help in mentoring new entrepreneur and teaches them business skills that are needed to start, maintain and grow a business.
Grants given by AYEEN aren’t specific as they give their grants based on the potential of the business ideas.
This means some may just be given some thousand naira while some will be given millions based on their ideas.
However, this opportunity is only opened to Nigerians above the age of 18 with a business idea or already running a small business.
For more information and application, visit the below link
https://ayeep.org/apply-for-funding.
2. GroFin Grants for Small and Medium Business
This grant scheme is established to help and support businesses in some specific sectors of the country.
They have a history of helping over 700 businesses since their establishment in 2004 and with this, a job of over 89000 has been created.
To receive this grant, your business must be in one of the following sectors: education, agribusiness, healthcare, manufacturing, recycling, sanitation, water, energy, and waste.
Some of their requirements also include the following
-Your business must be in any of the countries they are situated in.
-Your business must make a social impact and should be able to provide more jobs for people.
– your Grant application shouldn’t be less than $100,000 and mustn’t be higher than $1,500,000.
You can visit the below link to access their page for more information.
http://www.grofin.com/
3. Shell LiveWire Funding
Shell is a grant scheme for youth business owners in Niger delta area, Nigeria.
If you belong to this area and you have a good business idea, you should check out this grant.
The grant was established in 2003, march 27 to be precise and since then, they have successfully trained 3300 business owners while they give the eligible 6500 business grants.
The following are the requirement for this grant.
-The grant is only open to people between the age of 18 to 30 years.
– You must have a good realistic, profitable, and great business idea.
-Must have gone through intense rigorous entrepreneurial training.
-Must be from any of the following places in Nigeria: Imo, Edo, Niger Delta, Abia, Bayelsa, Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Delta.
You can visit the below link for more information and application.
https://www.shell.com.ng/
4. Seedstars Africa
Seedstars Africa is an organization that is attached to Seedstars Group, a well-known company based in Swiss.
They are recognized as venture builders and they have been active since their establishment.
They have they record of investing in 35+ countries around the world, especially in emerging markets in Asia, South America, The Middle East, and Africa.
Through Seedstars World, which is a popular, highly competitive, and exclusive startup competition for startups in emerging markets, the company can identify promising companies to support with a capital and technical help.
In 2014, Seedstars invested $330,000 in SimplePay, a young Nigerian third-party payment processing company that created a solution to disrupt payment services in Nigeria and Africa.
This doesn’t have many requirements or eligibility.
All you need is a great business idea and apply for their grants.
5. National Youth Entrepreneurship Empowerment Summit
This is an empowerment scheme is initiated by the federal government of Nigeria to equip young Nigerians with entrepreneurs’ intellectual skills thereby increasing their necessary skills needed to run a successful business through training.
This is a way of making them contribute to what is needed for the development of the nation’s economy.
The basic requirements include the following
-Age range: 18 to 35 years.
-Must live and have a business in Nigeria.
-Must have a business idea that contributes to any of the 9 FG top areas in the country.
-Must have a business in ICT, Dance, Art, Theater, fashion and designing, New Media, Hands and Craft, Film and Entertainment, Architecture and Culture.
For more information and application, follow the below procedures.
-Make and upload a one-minute video showcasing your innovative idea on social media.
-Hashtags: #NYEES #NYEESCREATIVES.
-Tag and follow @NYEEsummit
6. KickStart Program
KickStart is a social investment initiative by the IB PLC Foundation aimed at reducing unemployment by ensuring young innovators and entrepreneurs get the right training, business skills, mentorship, and development support.
It targets the youths of the southwest by ensuring their lives are greatly improved, as well as the economic prosperity of the southwest.
It organizes a yearly competition in which the winner gets a grant to KickStart their business.
To be eligible:
-Age range: 18 to 35 years.
-Must be from the southwestern region and also have a business there.
-Must have a valid ID.
-Must have an innovative and profitable business idea.
-Must be literate.
-Must be able to operate the business full-time.
To apply, visit their website: https://herokickstartnigeria.org
7. Innovation Price for Africa
These organizations believe so much in the great innovative minds of Africans and that’s why this platform was created.
This platform is aimed at utilizing the innovative minds of the African people to solve the problems associated with African countries.
Grants are provided to participants who are keen on solving problems facing any of the African countries.
Basic requirements include the following
-Must reside or belong to any of the African countries.
-Must have an innovative and analytic mind.
For more information and applications, visit the below link.
http://africaninnovation.org
8. African Women Development Fund
The AWDF is the first pan-African women’s grant maker in Africa. Since the start of its operations in 2001, AWDF has provided $17 million in grants to 800 women’s organizations in 42 African countries.
The AWDF is an institutional capacity-building and program development fund, which aims to help build a culture of learning and partnerships within the African women’s movement.
In addition to raising money and awarding grants, the AWDF will attempt to strengthen the organizational capacities of its grantees.
The AWDF only awards grants to organizations, not individuals. It awards grants ranging from $8,000 up to $50,000.
The basic requirements include the following
The organization must be owned and led by a woman.
-Organization must be registered in an African country.
-Organization must be 3 years old.
-Must have a sound financial management system.
-Must be able to give feedback for projects undertaken.
For more information and applications, visit the following link
Visit: https://awdf.org/ to apply.
9. Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Award
Young entrepreneurs who are keen on proffering solutions to world problems can apply for Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Award.
It provides financial support to young innovative entrepreneurs to expand their businesses.
The basic requirements include the following
-Age range: 18 to 35 years.
-Must have innovative business ideas to make a social impact.
-Must be skilled in the health sector.
-Must be able to improve people’s well-being and health.
For more information and applications, click the below link.
https://youngentrepreneursawards.unilever.com/ to register and complete your profile.
10. Bank of Industry Youth
This grant is funded by an organization that feels the youths should have the habit of business and they took it upon themselves to train and empower youths with great business ideas.
All applicants are to undergo 8 weeks of online entrepreneurship training to know what they are in for.
During this training, the organization will be checking out those with great potential to give grants to.
The following are basic requirements
– You must have a realistic and viable business idea that will be in Nigeria. Your business must also be the type that can expand to accommodate more workers.
This is a way of creating more jobs.
– You must be a bonafide citizen of Nigeria between the ages of 18 to 35.
-Must have an educational certificate of minimum qualification of OND
For more information on how to apply, visit the below link.
http://onlineregportal.com/YesProgramme
11. Bank of Industry (BOI)
BOI is an initiative by the federal government to financially support and help small and large business enterprises grow.
Grants are provided to interested business owners in form of loans to help them in the growth of their business.
The scheme provides various kinds of grants for all kinds of entrepreneurs.
To be eligible:
-Your business must be in Nigeria and must be registered.
-Profitable business idea should be submitted.
-You must be the right age to apply.
How to Apply
-Go to the nearest BOI offices nearest to you and apply.
12. African Women Innovation and Entrepreneurship (AWIE)
This program provides support and grants to innovative female entrepreneurs across African countries.
Its focus is to increase the growth of organizations led by women for economic growth.
It also recognizes women who are doing exceedingly well in non-profit and private organizations to contribute their quota economically to the growth of Africa.
To be eligible:
-Must have a registered business in one or more African countries.
-Must have achievements as a successful female entrepreneur to be nominated.
-Must be a female entrepreneur.
For more information, visit the below link.
Visit this website: https://awief.awardsplatform.com/ to apply.
13. Africa Cocoa Fund to Support Cocoa Famers in West & Central Africa
The Rainforest Alliance’s Africa Cocoa Fund (ACF) is a three-year, $5 million fund to support cocoa farmers and help preserve the local landscapes in West and Central Africa.
It aims to create a measurable, long-lasting positive impact by building the capacity of those certified cocoa farmers who most need assistance to implement our certification standards for sustainable agriculture.
The ACF will also support select sustainability projects for cocoa farmers and their landscapes beyond our certification requirements, to achieve further positive impact.
The fund is part of their broader measure to develop African countries.
Through ACF’s support, certified smallholder producer groups, cooperatives, and farmers or vulnerable members who need support will become empowered to monitor their performance, improving their ability to use and access data and enhance their capacity to make informed decisions for their long-term continuous improvement.
During this time window, the ACF encourages members and groups with common sustainability issues or challenges and who are operating in the same geographical area to consider sending joint applications.
You can apply if you are located in:
Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria and you must also be a member or a certificate holder or smallholder producer group with limited technical assistance support through supply chain partners or other channels
14. I-Startup SouthWest Programme
This is a social investment initiative by the federal government to provide mentorship, training, and nonrefundable grants to entrepreneurs.
This program is open to all entrepreneurs using tech to proffer solutions to problems in ICT, Agriculture, the Digital oil field, and manufacturing.
Basic requirements include the following
-Business must be in the Southwest region.
-Must have a profitable business idea in ICT, manufacturing, governance, health, or Agriculture.
-Must have a business for profit.
For more information and application, visit the below link
https://www.premierhub.com.ng
15. Nigeria Impact Startup Relief Facility
Nigeria Impact Startup Relief Facility (NISRF) is an emergency facility designed by a consortium of funding partners to disburse grants to a significant number of existing post-MVP stage high-growth startups who create impact so they remain viable during the COVID-19 crisis.
NISRF is designed to support grant applicants whose businesses/activities are either being adversely affected by or modified in response to COVID-19.
The following are basic requirements for the grant.
- You must be operating in Nigeria.
- You should be able to show how your company is tackling an urgent social problem.
- You must be post-MVP, revenue-generating, and registered with CAC.
- You should have solid financial health before the onset of COVID-19 (USD 60K ARR – 12 months period minimum).
- You should have received seed funding.
- You should show the scale of impact or potential for future scale.
- Your company should fall under any of these sectors: Agriculture, Critical Infrastructure, Financial Services, Health Care, Education, and initiatives that target the informal sector.
- Demonstrate how well you have optimized resources during Covid. Fill out the below form to apply for this grant.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVtJqiNFyFbogZ0Lt4-JP03o48TuZHs8ckHOggprSWCWbIPA/viewform
16. Greenhouse Lab: The First Female-Focused Tech Accelerator in Nigeria
GreenHouse Lab is a three-month program focused solely on early-stage, female-owned, or female-focused technology start-ups across Africa, as well as African-run start-ups domiciled overseas with products that are scalable in African markets.
During the program, each startup will have the opportunity to meet with investors before Demo and Investment Day.
After the program, each startup will pitch in front of an audience of key entrepreneurs, investors, corporates, and institutions from the global tech ecosystem.
GreenHouse Capital may offer a minimum of 100K USD investment to startups that qualify and meet key investment criteria during the program.
This investment excludes other investments that may be made by other investors in its network.
Basic requirements include the following.
- Entrepreneurs who are 100% dedicated to their ideas and understand that the journey to sustainable success will require a high level of drive and commitment can apply.
- Your business should be in its early stage. investment-ready technology startups that have identified a critical need in Africa and are building an effective, sustainable and scalable solution.
- companies that have developed, at a minimum, a beta product and are in the process of refining their go-to-market strategy, building out sales channels, and generating revenue.
- Each startup must have at least one woman on its leadership team which should consist of at least 2 members and no more than 6 with at least one technical member. Selected startups will be required to commit full-time to the program.
For more information and application, visit the below link
http://greenhouse.capital/greenhouselab
17. Global Youth Empowerment Fund Grant
GAIN Youth Summit is a unique platform that primarily targets the youth as the key actors in the development agenda of the African continent.
The summit convenes young leaders from Africa and the Diaspora and also promotes their impact.
A global youth event for discourse, dialogue, and insightful engagement where young leaders learn from and engage with global leaders from multinationals, development institutions, CSOs, and public and private organizations.
GAIN focuses on channeling the energy and enthusiasm of the youth to positive ends by empowering them and building their capacities to drive positive personal, community, national, and continental level developmental goals.
An opportunity to build alliances, and networks and promote multi-level collaboration for impact.
The GAIN Youth Summit empowers key stakeholders with information, channels, and tools to promote collaborative action for youth employment, development, and entrepreneurship.
It features keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking sessions.
https://bit.ly/GYS21
18. African Development Foundation (ADF)
The United States African Development Foundation (ADF) is an Independent United States Government Agency that provides grants of up to $250,000 to community groups and small enterprises.
Funds are provided to organizations that demonstrate innovative solutions to support underserved and marginalized groups in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Each year the ADF grants around $20 million for developing solutions in twenty countries across the continent.
Grants are awarded to projects that can create jobs, increase income levels and sustainably improve social conditions.
The organization seeks African-designed and African-driven solutions that address grassroots economic and social problems in conflict and post-conflict communities.
The basic requirements for this grant include the following.
- The organization must be 100 percent African-owned and managed.
- The organization must be a legally recognized African entity (or in the process of becoming legally registered. Registration must be completed before any funding may be provided)
- The organization must demonstrate that it has successfully worked together and has the potential to productively utilize development funds.
- The ownership and management must be in agreement on the problem to be addressed and commit to benefit their community.
- The organization must have basic functional management and controls to use and account for USADF funds.
For more information and application, visit the following link.
http://www.adf.gov/countrypage.html
19. 88mph
88mph is a Seed Fund and Accelerator that started in 2011 and currently operates out of hubs in Nairobi (Kenya), Cape Town (South Africa), and Lagos (Nigeria).
88mph funds only tech companies, with a particular emphasis on web and mobile products and services.
It currently has more than $1.5 million in funds for investment in African tech startups.
Some of its successful investments include:
Baby Group – South Africa’s first online shop for new parents and their babies.
Byte Money – A mobile payment platform for the insurance industry
Ekaya – A service that matches good landlords with good tenants
Its main focus is to attract the best entrepreneurs, invest seed cash, and bring them to a point where their businesses can grow independently, or be adequately evaluated by angels and Venture Capital firms.
20. Investment AB Kinnevik
Based in Sweden, Investment AB Kinnevik was founded in 1936 and is one of the largest listed investment companies in Europe with total assets of $7 billion.
Over the past few years, the firm has invested significantly in businesses in Africa.
Some of its most notable investments on the continent include Millicom, Tele2, Jumia, MTG, Rocket Internet, Iroko Partners, and several others.
AB Kinnevik is a major investor in emerging markets.
As a result, about 8 percent of its portfolio consists of African businesses. It invests and focuses on entrepreneurs and businesses in the following business segments: Communications, Ecommerce & Marketplaces, Entertainment and Financial Services & Others.
21. Busy Internet & The BusyIncubator Program
It is a privately owned investment and one of the largest ICT centers in Africa.
It was established in 2001 in Ghana, aiming to provide commercial services and social development.
With the support of funding from the Japan Government and also full support from the World bank, BusyInternet was able to launch its BusyIncubator program in early 2005 which was the first of its kind in West Africa.
The business incubation program’s main priority is to increase the chances of survival of young companies, they help in providing small companies with a good opportunity to grow in a supportive and nurturing environment.
You can follow them via their website for more information.
http://www.busyinternet.com/
22. African Investment Management Services Limited (AIMS ltd)
It was established in 1994 in Accra, with the main aim of assisting small and medium-sized businesses to grow more independently both in Ghana and West Africa as a whole.
They also help in funding export companies in Ghana.
They build to make businesses more competitive in financial administration and management.
To get more information, visit their website:
http://www.aimslimited.com/
23. Fort Foundation
The Ford Foundation is interested in providing social changes in Kenya and East Africa as a whole.
The belief is that East Africa can become an equitable and peaceful region whereby women and youth contribute greatly to the development of the region’s future.
Mainly, Fort Foundation provides support to organizations that help in the development of agriculture by helping poor farmers to gain direct market access.
They also focus on women empowerment, they empower women who are in the agricultural sector but have limited access to lands and other agricultural resources.
So, Fort Foundation helps in promoting gender equality and human right across all of East Africa.
The Foundation has marked 50 years of promoting social and economic development across East Africa.
24. Agency For Cooperation And Research In Development ( ACORD)
ACORD has been in Kenya since 2005 following the chronic drought that badly affected the pastoralist community along the Kenya-Tanzania borderline.
ACORD involves in developing the capacity of small-scale farmers and pastoralist organizations.
In partnership with WIFIP, UN Women, and other CSOs networks, ACORD has been working with women who are interested in politics in Kenya.
They encourage women to participate actively in the political affair of their region by giving leadership training and enlightenment to women on their political rights and how to operate in the political realm.
25. Youth Enterprise Development fund (YEDF)
As a young person who is truly focused on business development and who need funds, the Youth Enterprise Development Fund is the best place to go.
They offer loans and encourage you to be a great business owner rather than a job seeker.
The Youth Enterprise Development Fund is a state corporation under the Ministry of Public Service, Gender and Youth Affairs.
They achieve their aims and objectives through entrepreneurship and also provide financial and non-financial support services to youth.
26. Crowd-sourcing Institutions
If you are in Kenya and you needed funds for your business, you can get funds for your business through Crowd-sourcing institutions.
Some of the Crowd-sourcing institutions in Kenya include zidisha, Kickstarter, seedstars, kiva, and Indiegogo.
This organization gives people the opportunity to donate a little sum of money for their business projects from all around the world.
They also provide the platform where numerous lenders assist young companies.
27. National Board of Small Scale Industrie (NBSSI)
NBSSI is a public sector non-profit organization that was established in 1985 under the supervision of the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Presidential Special Initiatives, with its Head Office in Accra, and secretariats in all the regional capitals and Business Advisory Centres (BACs) in 110 district capitals.
NBSSI provides technical, financial, and managerial assistance to small enterprises.
28. Technoserve Ghana
Technoserve Ghana is a Non-governmental organization that came into existence in 1968.
Presently, it operates in 15 different countries in the world.
It was established to help entrepreneurs by providing necessary support and training that would help in growing their business independently, they also help entrepreneurs to capitalize on solid market opportunities.
With the help of Technoserve, you can develop your business plans, they help to link with markets and sources of capital, improve your management skills, and train you on how to produce higher-quality products and services.
Visit their website for more information:
http://www.technoserve.org/work_impact/locations/ghana.aspx
29. Opportunity International
A leader in microfinance, Opportunity International is a non-profit microfinance organization with the main aim of eradicating poverty by assisting the poor.
If a client’s capital needs surpass what Opportunity International’s microfinance mission can provide, they can be referred.
http://www.opportunity.org/NETCOMMUNITY/Page.aspx?pid=193&srcid=-2
30. The West African Trading Hub ( WATH)
The West Africa Trade Hub was opened in 2003 by USAID/West Africa to boost trade and commerce in West Africa.
WATH was able to develop the trade capacity in West Africa.
They provide technical assistance to the private sector and also make sure there is a significant development in exports in both public and private sectors.
Finally, they help government and businesses take advantage of the U.S. African Growth and Opportunity Act. http://www.watradehub.com
31. VodaLend Business Funding ( Vodacom Financial services)
Vodalend provides financial loans to registered South African small businesses with free benefits and better repayment plans that are far better than those of commercial banks.
Any registered small business with a brief history of operation is also eligible for financial support from VodaLend.
To apply for this loan and grant, visit the below link
https://vodalend.vodacombusiness.co.za
32. National Youth Development Agency Grants
The NYDA Grant Programme is designed to provide young entrepreneurs with an opportunity to access both financial and non-financial business development support to enable them to establish or grow their businesses.
The program focuses on youth entrepreneurs who are at intentional, promising, and new stages of enterprise development.
Young people whose business ideas qualify for the Grant Programme, depending on their individual needs, will also undergo some of the NYDA’s non-financial support services
For more information, visit the below link
http://www.nyda.gov.za/Products-Services/NYDA-Grant-Programme
33. Lulalend Business Funding
Lulalend is more than a company. It’s a belief in the power of small business, making a difference, building a better solution, and striving for excellence.
VodaLend works hard to empower businesses across South Africa with the funds they need to grow.
To access their grant and funds, visit the below link.
https://www.lulalend.co.za
34. The KZN Growth Fund
It provides various forms of long-term funds and structured finance options to both medium and large-scale projects throughout the province of KwaZulu Natal to stimulate the growth and development of their provincial economy. KZN Growth Fund is focused on the sectors of education, biotechnology, and finance.
For more information on this, visit the below link
https://www.kzngrowthfund.co.za
35. IDF Capital
IDF Capital aspires to be more than just another African business.
It is their goal to become catalysts of economic growth across Africa by supporting people on their entrepreneurial journey.
The bespoke service offering gives entrepreneurs the boost they need to grow operationally, and become financially independent through leveraging our experience and knowledge of the African market.
For more information, click the below link
https://www.idf.co.za
36. Industrial Development Corporation Funding (IDC)
The Industrial Development Corporation is a national development finance institution whose primary objectives are to contribute to the generation of balanced, sustainable economic growth in Africa, and the economic empowerment of the South African population, thereby promoting the economic prosperity of all citizens.
The IDC achieves this by promoting entrepreneurship through the building of competitive industries and enterprises based on sound business
You can access this fund through the below link
https://www.idc.co.za
37. Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Program
The $100 million Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme (TEEP) is an annual program of training, funding, and mentoring, designed to empower the next generation of African entrepreneurs.
Founded by Mr. Tony Elumelu, the successful Nigerian entrepreneur and philanthropist, the fund seeks to identify and support 1,000 entrepreneurs from across the continent each year over the next decade.
Each successful participant in the program gets an initial seed investment of $5,000 after a 12 –week mentoring program.
Another $5,000, structured as equity or an affordable loan, is also given to participants who meet certain milestones.
Over the next 10 years, the fund expects to support 10,000 start-ups and young businesses selected from across Africa who will ultimately create one million new jobs and add $10 billion in annual revenues to Africa’s economy.
The TEEP Fund focuses on citizens and legal residents of all 54 African countries.
Applications can be made by any for-profit business based in Africa in existence for less than three years, including new business ideas.
The basic requirements for this grant include the following
-You must be legally accepted to work in the country you are applying from which must be Africa.
-You must live legally in any of the 54 African countries and have your business stationed in any of them.
-Your business must not be older than 3 years. -You must have a profitable business idea.
For more information and application, visit the below link
https://tefconnect.com
38. Tshikululu social investment
This is an organization that provides a wide of investment and grant opportunities for business owners in Africa.
This organization is owned by the South African corporate social investment and they are responsible for giving out grants to African businesses.
For more information on how to access their grant, visit the below link
Tshikululu.org.za
39. Lundin Foundation
Lundin Foundation is an organization that is situated in Canada but has so many Branches in African countries like Ghana and Tanzania.
It was established by a Swedish family name Lundin in the year 2004 to give out business grants.
Several organization has received their grant and they are still giving out grants.
To access their fund, visit their website
www.lundinfoundation.org
40. Lagos State Entrepreneurs Trust Fund
Lagos state entrepreneurs trust fund provided financial support for Lagosians in need of money to start or expand their businesses.
It is a thoughtful initiative by the government to tackle unemployment as well as create wealth and jobs for the Lagos state populace.
It also provides an avenue for participants to acquire the right skills to get good jobs.
To access this grant and for more information, visit the below link.
https://lsetf.ng/
