The 2026 AUDA-NEPAD Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator (HGSA-A) Program is a COMESA regional initiative supporting growth-stage, African-led agribusinesses delivering scalable and innovative solutions across the continent’s agricultural value chain. The programme promotes inclusive and sustainable growth by strengthening investment readiness, enhancing fundraising capacity, and facilitating regional trade expansion under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) framework. Successful applicants, who must be legally registered in a COMESA member state and demonstrate an annual turnover close to USD 100,000, receive tailored advisory support, technical assistance, and access to regional and global markets.
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AUDA-NEPAD HGSA-A Program Summary
| Field | Detail |
|---|---|
| Institution/Host | AUDA-NEPAD (African Union Development Agency – NEPAD), COMESA Regional Initiative |
| Country/Region | COMESA Member States / Africa |
| Degree Level | Agribusiness Accelerator Program |
| Business Level | Growth-stage, African-owned/led Agribusinesses |
| Coverage | Non-financial (Advisory Support, Market Access, Mentorship, Capital Linkage) |
| Reward Value/Range | Tailored Technical Assistance and Investment Readiness Support |
| No IELTS Required | Not Applicable (Corporate application) |
| Deadline | December 14, 2025 |
AUDA-NEPAD Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator (HGSA-A) Program 2026 Details
The AUDA-NEPAD Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator (HGSA-A) Program aims to tackle continental challenges such as food insecurity, climate vulnerability, and trade barriers by scaling up high-potential, African-led enterprises. This regional initiative focuses on strengthening the capacity of agribusinesses to attract investment and access expansive regional markets.
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Grant Benefits
Tier 1: Investment Readiness, Market Access, and Technical Support (Benefits)
Selected growth-stage companies receive critical resources designed to transition them to the next level of scalability and funding:
- Investment Readiness and Capital Linkage: Companies receive context-specific advisory support focused on strengthening business models, improving internal structures, and enhancing their capacity to attract capital from investors.
- Access to Regional and Global Markets: Support is provided to help businesses navigate and expand their regional trade operations, particularly leveraging opportunities presented by the AfCFTA framework.
- Technical Assistance and Mentorship: Selected companies benefit from tailored technical assistance and mentorship delivered by leading sector experts, ensuring high-quality, relevant business guidance.
- Networking Opportunities: Access to exclusive networks of peers, buyers, and investors, facilitating partnerships and commercial opportunities.
Tier 2: Focus Areas of Supported Agribusiness Activities
The accelerator program specifically supports companies that operate within inclusive, high-potential agribusiness value chains, focusing on added value and market efficiency. Supported activities include:
- Supply and Processing: Input supply, agro-processing, and value addition.
- Logistics and Market Access: Aggregation, storage, logistics, distribution, and market access services.
- Strategic Solutions: Import substitution, commercialisation, digital agriculture, and climate-smart inputs.
Note: The program explicitly excludes support for primary production (raw farming).
Tier 3: Strategic Program Goals and Inclusive Growth
The HGSA-A program is fundamentally dedicated to promoting inclusive, sustainable, and green growth across Africa:
- Sustainable Solutions: Demonstrating a commitment to green growth through climate-smart, resource-efficient, and sustainable agricultural practices.
- Inclusive Participation: Prioritising inclusive participation by engaging and benefiting marginalized groups, including youth, women, people with disabilities, and refugees.
- Food Security: Contributing directly to continental food security and nutrition goals through scalable business models.
Eligibility Requirements for 2026 AUDA-NEPAD HGSA-A Program
To be considered for the Accelerator Program, the applying agribusiness must meet all of the following criteria:
- Registration and Location: Must be legally registered and operational in a COMESA member state.
- Ownership and Leadership: Must be African-owned or African-led.
- Business Model: Must demonstrate a proven and innovative business model.
- Financial Health: Must have an annual turnover close to USD 100,000 (with variations permitted by country).
- Financial Compliance: Must maintain audited financial accounts for at least the last three years and possess basic compliance structures.
- Market Potential: Must show clear potential for regional or international market access through export linkages, replicable models, or regional expansion strategies.
- Demographic Preference: The program has a strong preference for:
- Women-owned or led enterprises (70 percent)
- Youth-owned or led enterprises (ages 18 to 35) (30 percent)
How to Apply for AUDA-NEPAD HGSA-A Program 2026 (Step by Step)
- Identify Eligibility: Confirm that your agribusiness is legally registered in a COMESA member state, is African-led, and meets the minimum annual turnover threshold of approximately USD 100,000.
- Prepare Documents: Gather necessary corporate documents, including the three years of audited financial accounts and evidence of inclusion/sustainability commitments.
- Access Official Application Portal: Visit the official AUDA-NEPAD and COMESA websites to locate the specific 2026 application link and portal.
- Complete Submission: Complete the detailed online application form, submit all required documentation, and adhere to any specific guidelines or deadlines listed on the portal.
Application Deadline: December 14, 2025
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What does AUDA-NEPAD and COMESA stand for?
AUDA-NEPAD stands for the African Union Development Agency – NEPAD, and COMESA stands for the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.
2. Is this program open to all African countries?
The program is a COMESA regional initiative, meaning the agribusiness must be legally registered and operational in a COMESA member state to be eligible.
3. What is the minimum required annual turnover for applicants?
Applicants must demonstrate a proven business model with an annual turnover close to USD 100,000, though variations may be allowed depending on the country.
4. Does the program provide direct financial grants or loans?
The program provides non-financial support, including investment readiness training, technical assistance, mentorship, and access to capital linkage opportunities with investors.
5. Are businesses involved in primary agricultural production (raw farming) eligible?
No, the program explicitly focuses on inclusive, high-potential value chains and excludes primary production. It supports activities like processing, logistics, value addition, and input supply.
6. What is the demographic breakdown the program prioritizes?
The program prioritizes enterprises that are 70 percent women-owned or led and 30 percent youth-owned or led (ages 18 to 35).
7. What kind of financial documentation is required for the application?
Applicants must maintain and submit audited financial accounts for at least the last three years and demonstrate basic compliance structures.
8. How does the program help businesses expand regionally?
It provides access to regional markets and specialized support and strategies to leverage the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA framework (African Continental Free Trade Area).
9. What does it mean to “prioritise inclusive participation”?
It means the business model should actively engage and benefit youth, women, people with disabilities, and refugees, ensuring their participation in the value chain.
10. When is the deadline for the 2026 AUDA-NEPAD Accelerator Program?
The application period for 2026 is currently open, but a specific closing date was not provided. Applicants should check the official COMESA/AUDA-NEPAD websites immediately for the deadline.
