SAIS Investment Readiness Programme for African Tech Start-ups

African tech start-ups working in Agriculture, Food, and Climate are invited to apply for the SAIS Investment Readiness Programme 2026 — a fully funded, year-long accelerator designed to sharpen your business, scale your impact, and prepare you to attract investment.

Organised by SAIS (Scaling Agricultural Innovations through Start-ups), implemented by GIZ on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), and co-funded by the Gates Foundation, this programme is aimed at tech-enabled innovations across agri-adjacent sectors.

What it offers

Selected start-ups will receive a comprehensive suite of support, including:

• Up to €20,000 in technical assistance (for consultants, legal advice, licensing, product optimisation, marketing & PR, ESG governance, etc.).
• Access to revolving working capital loans of up to €50,000 with a 9-month maturity at a low interest rate of 1.5%.
• Up to €10,000 advisory services from an international IT consultancy to boost digital capacity, data analytics, and marketing.
• Opportunities to attend in-person community events; two events coincide with the Africa Tech Summit in Nairobi and another sector conference.
• Investment facilitation: pitch sessions, introductions to investors & funds, and support around due diligence and fundraising strategy.
• Membership in a community of 100+ portfolio companies, allowing peer learning, networking, and sharing best practices.

Who Should Apply

Eligible participants are early or growth-stage tech start-ups based in eligible African countries undertaking innovations in agriculture, food systems, climate tech, energy, biotech, fintech, logistics, circular economy, or related fields.

Selection criteria include:

• Viable business model + market traction
• Strong tech/product innovation
• Experienced, dedicated team (gender diversity is a plus)
• Commitment to measurable impact in agriculture or climate categories

Note: Companies registered in South Africa are not eligible, unless they have a legal registration in another eligible country.

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How the Programme Works

This is not a standard boot camp. Rather, it offers personalised support:

• You’ll be paired with a dedicated advisor who works with you virtually via check-ins to build a tailored roadmap.
• Founders are expected to commit at least 2 hours per week of leadership team time for programme activities.
• One company member must attend in person at least two community events.
• You’ll collect and share progress data during the programme and up to one year after, including revenue, clients, employees, etc.

Timeline

Eligible Countries & Sectors

The programme is open to start-ups across a wide swath of Africa, including but not limited to: Nigeria, Kenya, Ghana, Uganda, Zambia, Mali, Senegal, Burkina Faso, Madagascar, Rwanda, Mozambique, and more.

Sectors supported include agribusiness, food production, climate tech, energy, biotech, fintech, and logistics. Agri-adjacent sectors are welcome.

Why This Matters

For impact-driven tech founders, SAIS 2026 is more than funding — it’s an opportunity to refine your proposition, access capital, scale operations, and connect with key stakeholders (investors, mentors, experts).

If you’re serious about scaling, growing globally, or entering new markets, this programme gives you a structured, well-resourced path forward.

How to Apply

• Apply in English or French through the VC4A platform.
• Submit all required materials before 28 September 2025.
• Be prepared to describe your product, business model, team, impact, and demonstrate traction.

APPLY FOR THE SAIS INVESTMENT READINESS PROGRAMME

Send enquiries to sais@giz.de for more information.