The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a call for applications for AgriTech startups to join the timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation Network and the timbuktoo AgriTech Hub, hosted in Ghana, with support from the Government of Japan, which is designed to identify, support and prepare promising startups building innovative solutions for Africa’s agricultural transformation.
Anchored within timbuktoo, UNDP’s pan-African platform supporting innovation and entrepreneurship, the programme supports technology-driven solutions with the potential to strengthen agricultural productivity, improve food systems, increase farmer incomes and build climate-resilient agriculture across the continent.
About the Programme
Agriculture remains one of Africa’s most important economic sectors, employing more than half of the continent’s workforce and sustaining millions of livelihoods. Yet farmers and agribusinesses continue to face challenges, including limited access to markets, climate vulnerability, inefficient supply chains, and constrained access to finance. Technological innovation is increasingly playing a critical role in addressing these challenges and unlocking new opportunities across the agricultural value chain. Through the timbuktoo AgriTech Hub hosted in Ghana, UNDP is supporting the next generation of African entrepreneurs building solutions that can transform agriculture at scale. Selected AgriTech startups will join the timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation Network, a distributed ecosystem of incubators, innovation hubs, mentors, and investors working together to support startups across Africa.
Startups admitted to the programme will receive structured incubation support delivered by accredited incubators within the timbuktoo ecosystem, alongside access to the broader continental network of founders, ecosystem partners, and investors. Participants will also gain access to the timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation digital platform, powered by Seedstars’ SIGMA platform, which provides founders with structured tools, mentorship matching, learning resources, and AI-powered guidance to accelerate startup growth and prepare for investment readiness.
Programme Benefits
AgriTech Startups selected for the programme will benefit from a combination of local incubation support and pan-African ecosystem access, including:
- Structured incubation programmes delivered by leading African incubators
- Access to experienced mentors, entrepreneurs and sector experts
- Participation in a pan-African network of founders, incubators and ecosystem partners
- Access to the SIGMA digital platform for startup development and progress tracking
- Receive investment readiness support, including pitch development and investor engagement
- Participate in demo days and ecosystem events across Africa
- Access potential pathways to acceleration programmes and early-stage investment opportunities
Programme Eligibility Criteria
Eligible startups must:
- Be based in Africa or building solutions targeting African agricultural markets
- Have a prototype or Minimum Viable Product (MVP)
- Have a committed founding team
- Address a clearly defined challenge within the agricultural value chain
- Demonstrate potential for growth and scalability
Solutions may address areas such as climate-smart agriculture, precision agriculture, agricultural data and analytics, market access platforms, agri-finance, supply chain innovation, food processing, or sustainable agricultural inputs.
UNDP particularly encourages applications from startups led by women, youth entrepreneurs, and founders working in underserved or rural communities.
How to Apply
Applications are open on a rolling basis, with startups admitted through quarterly cohorts.
The first cohort will begin in May 2026, with additional cohorts starting every three months.
Deadline for applications: 27th April 2026
Interested startups can submit their applications via the dedicated platform:
About timbuktoo
Timbuktoo is UNDP’s flagship platform to position Africa as a global leader in innovation.
Building on a continental network of Tech Hubs, University Innovation Pods, and ecosystem partners, timbuktoo aims to mobilize US$1 billion over 10 years, support 10,000 startups, scale 1,000 high-growth enterprises, contribute to improved livelihoods for 100 million people, and generate US$10 billion in value across the continent.
The timbuktoo AgriTech Hub, hosted in Ghana, serves as a pan-African centre dedicated to advancing innovation in agriculture and food systems. The hub supports startups, ecosystem actors, investors and policymakers to strengthen AgriTech solutions, enable market adoption, catalyse investment and accelerate Africa’s agricultural transformation.
