The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the launch of the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration and Partnership Programme 2026 for African entrepreneurs, innovators, and startup enterprises.
The disclosure was contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, informing qualified Nigerian startups to apply for the initiative launched by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Korea-Africa Foundation (KAF).
According to the Ministry, the programme is aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, trade, innovation, and private-sector partnerships between African countries and the Republic of Korea within the framework of AfCFTA.
The initiative is expected to support about 30 selected African startups operating in strategic sectors such as fintech, digital commerce, manufacturing, logistics, and agricultural value chains.
According to the statement, successful participants will benefit from business acceleration support, mentorship opportunities, capacity-building programmes, market exposure, and investment networking opportunities in the Republic of Korea.
The programme is open to African startups operating within key sectors including fintech, digital commerce, manufacturing, logistics, and agricultural value chains.
Applications for the programme will close on May 31, 2026.
Interested applicants are required to visit the official AfCFTA website for detailed eligibility criteria, programme guidelines, and application procedures.
Applicants can apply through the official programme portal below:
The latest programme adds to a series of recent AfCFTA-related initiatives targeted at improving Nigeria’s participation in continental trade and expanding opportunities for businesses.
In April 2026, the Federal Government launched simplified books and toolkits aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s participation in AfCFTA, easing trade procedures, and boosting non-oil exports. The resources, produced in English, Arabic, and Hausa, were introduced to improve inclusivity and better prepare Nigerian businesses for opportunities within the continental market.
Similarly, in March 2026, the AfCFTA Secretariat selected Nigeria as the pilot country for the implementation of its Simplified Trade Regime (STR) in West Africa. The framework was designed to simplify trade procedures for small-scale cross-border traders, improve access to regional markets, and strengthen economic integration across Africa.