Written by In many African, Caribbean, and Pacific (ACP) countries, agriculture is the backbone of local economies. Yet, many promising micro and small agribusinesses lack the skills, tools, and support needed to scale. The Agribusiness e-Academy is transforming this landscape by equipping young agripreneurs with knowledge, mentorship, and funding opportunities to build climate-smart, investment-ready ventures.
Programme Overview
The Agribusiness e-Academy funding programme supports innovative business ideas that:
- Strengthen agricultural value chains
- Promote inclusivity, especially for women and youth
- Enhance sustainability
- Increase profitability
Participants will leverage free online courses to create viable business plans and compete for funding, mentorship, and growth support. This initiative has already trained over 55,000 MSME learners, and now invites emerging agripreneurs to take their skills to the next level.
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in this opportunity, applicants must:
- Be 18 years or older
- Reside in a member state of the Organisation of African, Caribbean, and Pacific States (OACPS)
- Work in one or more value chains: cocoa, maize, cashew, or livestock (cattle, sheep, goats)
- Have an innovative idea that improves inclusivity, sustainability, and profitability in these value chains
- Complete the mandatory Agribusiness e-Academy courses
Participation is free of charge, including all required e-learning modules.
Benefits
Winners of the competition will receive:
- €2,000 in direct funding to support and scale their agribusiness
- A laptop, tablet, or software to improve operations
- Mentorship, training, and incubation support from industry experts
- Connections to financial institutions for future growth
Beyond financial support, participants gain tools to attract investors, adopt climate-resilient practices, and contribute to sustainable food systems and rural livelihoods.
Competition Timeline
The competition features three submission windows:
- Window 1: 15 September – 7 November 2025
- Window 2: 1 February – 30 April 2026
- Window 3: 1 June – 31 August 2026
How to Apply
Step 1: Register
Sign up on [atingi.org] or the Agribusiness e-Academy platform to access free e-learning courses.
Step 2: Complete Mandatory Courses
- Climate Smart Agri-Business Adaptation
- Business Model Canvas
Completion of these two unlocks the final course: Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness.
Step 3: Complete Your AgriCanvas
Use the provided Business Model Canvas template to develop your business idea. This AgriCanvas is your official submission format.
Step 4: Submit Your Idea
- Use the certificate ID from the final course as proof of completion
- Fill out the official submission form
- Upload your completed Business Model Canvas using the required template
The full learning pathway takes approximately 8.5 hours.
Application Link: [Submit Your Agribusiness Idea]