Nigeria urges startups to apply for AfCFTA–Korea acceleration programme
Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
Abdullateef Fowewe
Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged local entrepreneurs and startups to apply for the newly launched AfCFTA Startup Acceleration and Partnership Programme 2026, a collaboration between the AfCFTA Secretariat, the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Korea‑Africa Foundation (KAF).
This was made in a statement signed on Tuesday by Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa, Spokesperson for the Ministry.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs wishes to inform the general public, particularly Nigerian entrepreneurs, innovators, and startup enterprises, that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Korea‑Africa Foundation (KAF), has officially launched the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration and Partnership Programme 2026,” the statement reads.
The programme will support about 30 selected African startups working in strategic sectors — including fintech, digital commerce, manufacturing, logistics and agricultural value chains — providing business acceleration, mentorship, capacity‑building, market exposure and investment‑networking opportunities in the Republic of Korea.
“The initiative is expected to support approximately thirty (30) selected African startups operating within strategic sectors, including fintech, digital commerce, manufacturing, logistics, and agricultural value chains,” the statement added.
The ministry encouraged qualified Nigerian startups with “innovative, scalable business models” to take advantage of the opportunity to deepen Africa‑Korea commercial engagement and promote sustainable economic development across the continent.
Interested applicants are directed to the AfCFTA website for eligibility criteria and application procedures: https://au-afcfta.org/afcfta-startup-acceleration-partnership-program-2026/.
The application deadline is 31 May 2026.
For further enquiries, the AfCFTA provided contact emails: Abibata.Mahama@au-afcfta.org and SME.Support@au-afcfta.org.
Nigeria’s foreign ministry also posted images of the official notice calling for applications, underscoring the government’s commitment to continental economic integration, youth entrepreneurship and strategic international partnerships that advance national and regional development objectives.
