The MARKUP II Programme 2025 offers a crucial six-month support initiative for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) operating in East Africa (specifically Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda). Supported by the European Union and implemented by the International Trade Centre (ITC), this program focuses on three pillars: investment readiness, linkages with financial institutions, and transaction advisory support. The goal is to prepare SMEs in priority value chains (like coffee, tea, and avocado) to successfully raise external investment. Eligible applicants must have been operating for at least two years with verifiable financial statements and demonstrate a commitment to securing financing within the next 12 months. The submission deadline is 24 November 2025, with selection made on a rolling basis.
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MARKUP II Programme 2025-2026 Summary Table
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Host Country | East Africa (Regional Programme) |
| Study Abroad | N/A (Business Development Support) |
| Category | Capacity Building & Financial Readiness Programme |
| Eligible Countries | Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda |
| Reward | Financial Management Training, Investor Linkages, Transaction Advisory |
| Key Criteria | Operating in EAC for 2+ Years, Priority Value Chain, Audited Financials, Ready to Raise Finance |
| Application Deadline | 24 November 2025 |
MARKUP II Programme 2025-2026: Investment Readiness Support for East African SMEs
The MARKUP II Programme, a strategic collaboration between the European Union, the International Trade Centre (ITC), and the East African Community (EAC), represents a significant opportunity for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in East Africa. Moving beyond the market access focus of its first phase, MARKUP II is specifically designed to tackle the critical gap of access to finance and investment readiness.
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This six-month structured initiative provides actionable support to help established businesses improve their financial systems, connect directly with financiers, and secure the growth capital needed to scale their operations and increase export competitiveness.
Benefits of the MARKUP II Programme 2025-2026
Tier 1: Transaction Advisory and Direct Linkages (Most Prestigious Award Title)
This tier outlines the highest-value, most direct support component focused on securing funding.
- Structured Linkages with Investors: The program offers structured facilitation of connections between participating SMEs and major financial institutions or private investors. This goes beyond mere networking to facilitate concrete business discussions.
- Transaction Advisory Support: Participants receive high-level transaction advisory support designed to guide them from the investment readiness phase through to actual funding engagements and deal closing. This support is crucial for navigating complex funding agreements.
- Actionable Growth Positioning: This pillar ensures businesses are properly positioned for growth financing, providing practical steps and expert intervention required to successfully engage the finance ecosystem.
Tier 2: Comprehensive Capacity Building and Pitch Preparation
This tier focuses on intensive training and skill transfer essential for attracting external capital.
- Financial Management Training: SMEs receive extensive training and capacity-building focused on improving internal financial management, systems, and reporting—a common barrier to external investment.
- Investor-Readiness and Modelling: Support is provided in key areas such as investor-readiness assessment, business modelling, and the development of robust financial projections demanded by financiers.
- Pitch Preparation and Networking: Dedicated sessions are run on pitch preparation and presentation skills, ensuring business leaders are ready for investor conversations, complemented by ongoing mentoring and technical assistance.
Tier 3: Regional Scope and Value Chain Alignment (General Award Category Title)
This tier emphasizes the regional scope and the strategic focus on key economic sectors.
- Regional Eligibility: The program is open exclusively to legally registered SMEs operating in the six EAC partner states: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
- Priority Sector Focus: Businesses must operate within one of the strategically identified priority value chains, including coffee, tea, cocoa, avocado, leather, gum arabic, French beans, essential oils, packaging, and spices, ensuring sectoral relevance.
- Proven Track-Record Requirement: Applicants must have a minimum of two years in operation and be able to provide verifiable financial statements demonstrating a track-record of performance.
Eligibility Requirements for MARKUP II Programme 2025-2026
To be considered for the MARKUP II Investment Readiness track, SMEs must meet the following mandatory requirements:
- Legal Status: Be legally registered and actively operating in one of the six EAC partner states (Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, or Uganda).
- Sector Focus: Operate within one of the defined priority value chains (e.g., coffee, tea, avocado, spices, etc.).
- Financial Track-Record: Have been in operation for at least two years and possess a verifiable track-record, including audited or verified financial statements for the last two years.
- Investment Readiness: Demonstrate readiness to raise external financing (defining investment size, use of funds, and growth metrics) within the next 12 months and commit to participating in the full six-month programme.
How to Apply for MARKUP II Programme 2025 (Step by Step)
The application process is designed to assess the business’s current state and its readiness to absorb external capital.
- Review Guidelines: Visit the official programme webpage and download or review the full call for proposals/application guidelines, specifically looking for the “Access to Finance / Investment Readiness” track details.
- Prepare Financial Documents: Get your financials in order, ensuring you have verified financial statements for the last two years, clearly documenting revenue, expenses, and cash flow.
- Complete Online Form: Complete the online Expression of Interest or application form. This requires providing your business registration details, sector information, financial statements, and a clear growth/funding plan.
- Submit Early and Be Available: Submit your application before the deadline of 24 November 2025. Due to the rolling selection process, applying early is strongly advised. Be prepared and available for follow-up training or advisory sessions.
Application Deadline: 24 November 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the deadline for submitting an application for MARKUP II 2025?
Answer: The submission deadline is 24 November 2025. However, as selection is on a rolling basis, applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible.
2. Which East African countries are eligible to participate in this programme?
Answer: The programme is open to legally registered SMEs operating in the six EAC partner states: Burundi, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania, and Uganda.
3. What is the duration of the MARKUP II support initiative?
Answer: It is a six-month structured programme specifically focused on intensive capacity building and facilitating engagement between the SMEs and financial institutions.
4. Does the MARKUP II programme provide direct financing or grants?
Answer: No, the programme does not provide direct grants or loans. It provides transaction advisory support, training, and linkages to help the SMEs secure external financing from financial institutions and investors.
5. What are the minimum operational years required for eligibility?
Answer: SMEs must have been in operation for at least two years and be able to provide verifiable financial statements demonstrating their operational track-record.
6. Which value chains are considered a priority for this programme?
Answer: Priority value chains include coffee, tea, cocoa, avocado, leather, gum arabic, French beans, essential oils, packaging, and spices. Applicants must align with or value-add within these sectors.
7. What kind of financial documentation is required?
Answer: You need audited or verified financial statements for the last two years, clearly documenting your revenue, expenses, profits, and cash flow to demonstrate financial health.
8. What does “rolling selection” mean for my application?
Answer: Rolling selection means applications are reviewed and accepted as they are submitted, rather than all at once after the final deadline. This makes early submission beneficial for better chances of selection.
9. What are the three core pillars of support in the MARKUP II programme?
Answer: The three pillars are: Investment readiness & financial management capacity; Linkages with financial institutions and investors; and Transaction advisory support.
10. Does this program focus on market access or access to finance?
Answer: While the first phase (MARKUP I) focused on market access, the MARKUP II specialization track emphasizes access to finance and investment readiness to help SMEs position for growth capital.
