The 2025 Call for Applications for the Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) is officially open. The AADP is Ireland’s flagship initiative that supports private sector collaboration for sustainable food systems development across Africa. This programme is managed by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs, and it promotes strong partnerships between Irish and African agri-food businesses.
“The AADP offers an invaluable opportunity for businesses to work together and tackle real challenges in Africa’s food systems,” a spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs said. “With matched grant funding, it encourages innovation while reducing the financial risk for companies venturing into new markets.”
The AADP will help agri-businesses across Ireland and 19 eligible sub-Saharan African countries, including Botswana, Cóte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Namibia, Nigeria, Malawi, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
There are two grant types available through the programme: Feasibility Study grants and Full Commercial Project grants.
Feasibility Study grants are open to Irish private sector organisations and companies from the eligible African countries. These grants allow businesses to explore commercial ideas and study potential market opportunities. Both solo applicants and partnerships can apply. This grant focuses on discovering solutions that can transform Africa’s agri-food system sustainably.
The Full Commercial Project grant, on the other hand, is designed for joint applications between Irish and African businesses. The goal is to support impactful, scalable projects that generate revenue and promote sustainable agricultural practices. According to the Department, “All full commercial projects must be developed in genuine partnership, showing clear shared benefits and long-term trade potential.”
The AADP supports projects that aim to improve food systems, create jobs, and increase productivity in agriculture. Businesses applying for these grants must demonstrate how their proposals will contribute to sustainable development. Each application should align with Ireland’s international development policy, A Better World, and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Applicants must also show how the initiative will promote mutual trade and knowledge exchange between Ireland and the African countries involved. “The goal is not just funding projects,” said a programme official, “but also building long-term connections that benefit both regions.”
Who Can Apply:
To be eligible, applicants must be registered agri-food companies based in Ireland or one of the 19 selected African countries. The businesses must have been incorporated for at least 24 months before the application is submitted.
Applications must meet the following criteria:
1. Be commercial in nature
2. Take place in one or more of the eligible African countries
3. Contribute clearly to sustainable food system development
4. Explain why public funding is necessary and how it helps secure other investments
5. Show that the applicants have the right experience, knowledge, and project management skills
6. Have strong governance and fraud prevention systems in place
7. Outline how expertise and resources will be shared between Ireland and Africa
8. Describe how the project will strengthen mutual trade
9. Each application must include key supporting documents, such as:
10. A valid Irish Tax Clearance Certificate (required for all applicants, including those based in Africa)
11. A full budget breakdown
12. A project implementation calendar
13. A plan for collaboration across the duration of the project
The deadline for the 2025 application is 15 August 2025. Late or incomplete applications will not be considered under any circumstances.
How to apply:
Applications must be submitted using the official forms available on the Irish government’s website www.gov.ie/en/department-of-foreign-affairs/services/apply-for-aadp.
Completed applications, along with all required documentation, should be sent by email to aadp@dfa.ie.
In other news, Lagos has launched Agric Scholars Programme 2025, participating School to win up to N10m in a school farming competition.