Home Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator 2027 for African Agribusinesses

Applications are open for the Home Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator 2027 (HGSA-A), a regional initiative supporting African owned and African led agribusinesses with the potential to expand their operations and reach new markets. The programme targets growth stage companies developing innovative solutions across agricultural value chains, particularly businesses contributing to food security, sustainable production and inclusive economic development.

The initiative is funded by the Government of New Zealand through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and implemented by the African Union Development Agency (AUDA-NEPAD). It operates within the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) region and aims to help promising agribusinesses strengthen their business models, improve investment readiness and take advantage of regional trade opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The accelerator is particularly relevant to established businesses that have moved beyond the idea or early startup stage. Applicants should already be operational, demonstrate a proven business model and show credible potential to scale beyond their current markets.

About the Home Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator

The HGSA-A was developed to support African enterprises addressing important challenges and opportunities in agriculture and food systems. Across the continent, agribusinesses face barriers such as limited access to finance, complex cross border regulations, inadequate market connections and difficulties expanding into new territories.

The programme seeks to address these challenges by providing tailored support that responds to the needs of participating businesses. Rather than focusing only on conventional agricultural production, it targets enterprises working across different parts of the agricultural value chain, including processing, distribution, logistics, digital agriculture and access to markets.

Through the accelerator, selected companies can strengthen their operational capacity, improve their ability to attract investment and develop partnerships that support regional expansion. The programme also places emphasis on inclusive business practices and environmentally sustainable growth.

Programme Benefits

Selected agribusinesses will have access to a range of support intended to improve their competitiveness and long term growth prospects.

Key benefits include:

• Context specific advisory services: Businesses will receive tailored advice addressing challenges and opportunities within their markets, industries and operating environments.
• Regional trade and regulatory support: Participants will receive guidance on cross border regulations and trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area. This can help companies understand regional market requirements and explore opportunities to trade across African borders.
• Investment readiness and fundraising support: The programme will help participating businesses strengthen their capacity to attract finance, engage investors and prepare for fundraising. There may also be opportunities to access HGSA-A investment funding, although such funding is not guaranteed for every participant.
• Connections with strategic partners: Selected companies can be matched with regional buyers, investors, mentors and other partners who may support their business development and expansion plans.
• Post acceleration support: Participants can continue receiving guidance after completing the main acceleration activities, helping them maintain progress and pursue longer term business objectives.

Eligible Agribusiness Sectors

Eligible areas include:

• High value crop value chains, excluding primary production.
• Agricultural input supply and climate smart inputs.
• Agro processing and value addition.
• Agricultural commercialisation and import substitution.
• Produce aggregation and supply chain services.
• Logistics and distribution.
• Market access services.
• Digital agriculture solutions.
• Other scalable businesses supporting sustainable agricultural value chains.

Eligibility Requirements

The programme is intended for established agribusinesses with the capacity and ambition to grow. Applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Registration and operations: The company must be legally registered and operational in a COMESA member state.
2. African ownership or leadership: The enterprise must be African owned or African led and operating as a growth stage company.
3. Established business model: Applicants must demonstrate a proven and innovative business model, with annual turnover close to US$100,000. The expected turnover may vary depending on the country.
4. Eligible value chain: The business must operate in one or more of the programme's targeted agricultural value chains. Primary agricultural production alone is excluded from the stated focus.
5. Regional or international growth potential: Applicants must demonstrate a realistic opportunity to access regional or international markets. Evidence may include export relationships, partnerships within COMESA, plans for regional expansion or a business model that can be replicated in other markets.
6. Financial records: Companies must maintain audited financial accounts covering at least the previous three years, together with basic compliance structures.
7. Inclusive participation: Businesses should demonstrate a commitment to engaging women, young people, people with disabilities and refugees. They should also contribute to food security and nutrition objectives.
8. Environmental sustainability: Applicants must actively promote green growth through climate smart, resource efficient and sustainable agricultural practices, in line with the programme's stated commitment to the OECD Green Growth Strategy.

How to Apply

Interested companies should review the eligibility requirements carefully and prepare the information needed to demonstrate their business performance and growth potential.

To apply:

1. Review the programme requirements: Confirm that your company is African owned or led, legally registered and operational in a COMESA member state.
2. Assess your business model: Ensure that your activities fall within the eligible agribusiness value chains and that your company can demonstrate a proven, innovative and scalable model.
3. Prepare financial documentation: Organise audited financial accounts for at least the last three years, alongside relevant business registration and compliance information.
4. Develop your growth case: Be ready to explain your company's market opportunities, regional expansion plans, contribution to food security, inclusive business practices and environmental sustainability.
5. Submit your application online: Complete the application through the official Home Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator application portal before the deadline.