The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced the opening of applications for the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration and Partnership Programme 2026, a continental initiative designed to strengthen business cooperation between African startups and the Republic of Korea.
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The programme is being organised by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Korea-Africa Foundation (KAF). According to the Ministry, the initiative is targeted at entrepreneurs, innovators, and startup businesses across Africa, including Nigeria.
In a statement signed by the Ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, ANIPR, the government said the programme is part of wider efforts to deepen trade, innovation, and private-sector collaboration under the AfCFTA framework.
The Ministry explained that about 30 startups from across Africa will be selected for the programme. The selected businesses are expected to come from strategic sectors such as fintech, digital commerce, manufacturing, logistics, and agricultural value chains.
Successful applicants will receive business acceleration support, mentorship, market access opportunities, investment networking, and capacity-building programmes in the Republic of Korea.
The Ministry described the programme as a strategic opportunity for Nigerian startups looking to scale beyond the local market and build international partnerships.
“The Ministry encourages qualified Nigerian startups and entrepreneurs with innovative, scalable business models to take advantage of this strategic opportunity to enhance Africa-Korea commercial engagement and promote sustainable economic development across the continent,” the statement said.
The AfCFTA Startup Acceleration and Partnership Programme is expected to create stronger commercial ties between African businesses and Korean investors, while also supporting innovation-driven enterprises capable of operating across multiple African markets.
For Nigeria’s growing startup ecosystem, the programme could provide exposure to international investors, technical support, and new trade opportunities within the AfCFTA single market initiative.
The African Continental Free Trade Area remains one of Africa’s largest economic integration projects, with member countries working towards improving intra-African trade, industrialisation, and cross-border business growth. Partnerships with countries such as the Republic of Korea are also expected to open new channels for technology transfer, manufacturing partnerships, and digital trade expansion.
Interested applicants have been advised to visit the official AfCFTA application portal for full eligibility requirements, programme guidelines, and application procedures.
Applications will close on 31 May 2026.
Applicants seeking additional information or clarification can also contact the programme organisers through Abibata.Mahama@au-afcfta.org and SME.Support@au-afcfta.org.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to supporting youth entrepreneurship, innovation, strategic international partnerships, and continental economic integration through initiatives linked to AfCFTA.
More information about the programme is available on the official AfCFTA website au-afcfta.org/afcfta-startup-acceleration-partnership-program-2026.
