Written by The African Development Bank (AfDB), through its Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab in partnership with EyeCity Africa, has opened applications for Phase II of its Higher Education Institutions (HEI) Innovation and Entrepreneurship Programme, a free initiative supporting African universities and research centres to establish or strengthen entrepreneurship support structures.
The programme aims to transform academic talent and research into viable businesses by equipping institutions with practical tools, training, networks and support to develop their innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems.
Benefits of the Programme
Selected institutions will receive:
- Practical Training: Online training modules covering governance, operations, funding, partnerships and sustainability.
- Ready-to-Use Toolkits: Frameworks and practical resources to establish or improve entrepreneurship support structures.
- Continental Networking: Access to a pan-African peer network of higher education institutions.
- ENNOVA Platform Access: Onboarding to the African Development Bank’s ENNOVA platform.
- Strategic Support: Selected institutions will receive tailored, hands-on assistance to develop innovation and entrepreneurship strategies.
- Institutional Capacity Building: Support to strengthen incubators, innovation hubs, accelerators and technology transfer offices.
Participation is free of charge.
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to:
- Higher education institutions across Africa.
- African universities seeking to establish entrepreneurship support structures.
- Research centres interested in strengthening innovation and commercialisation.
- Institutions with existing incubators, accelerators or innovation hubs.
- Institutions looking to establish or strengthen technology transfer offices.
Programme Tracks
Applications are open to institutions at different stages of development through two groups:
Start Group: Setting Up for the First Time
For institutions that want to establish enterprise support structures but do not yet have an incubator, innovation hub or technology transfer office.
Scale Group: Strengthening Existing Structures
For institutions with existing incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs or technology transfer offices seeking to improve and expand their operations.
Application Requirements
Interested institutions must demonstrate the following:
- Leadership Commitment: A letter from the head of the institution confirming commitment to the programme and future entrepreneurship support initiatives.
- Staff Availability: Ability to commit approximately 12–16 hours over a three-week period.
- Women and Youth Participation: Commitment to promoting the participation of women and young people in entrepreneurship support activities.
Applicants should also prepare their institution’s details and information about the current stage of their enterprise support unit.
How to Apply
Interested and eligible African higher education institutions and research centres should:
- Visit the official programme application portal.
- Review the programme requirements and select the appropriate group: Start or Scale.
- Prepare institutional information and details about existing or planned entrepreneurship support structures.
- Obtain a commitment letter from the institution’s leadership.
- Complete and submit the application form in English or French.
Application link: https://www.eyecity.africa/hei-call-for-applications
Application Deadline
November 9, 2026