AfCFTA Digital Innovation Challenge 2025

Applications are now open for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Digital Innovation Challenge 2025. This challenge aims to identify digital solutions that can structurally influence intra-African trade by increasing efficiencies and enabling seamless cross-border commercial exchanges across AfCFTA markets.

1. Challenge Overview

• Organization: African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
• Application Deadline: April 18, 2025
• Objective: Identify and support digital solutions that enhance intra-African trade, particularly for MSMEs.

2. Focus Areas

Applicants should propose digital solutions that support MSMEs in one or more of the following areas:

• Market Intelligence & E-Commerce Platforms: B2B/B2C platforms, trade data solutions, and market information providers.
• E-Commerce & Logistics: Warehousing, last-mile delivery, and digital aggregation of goods/services.
• Cross-Border Professional Services: Digital tools for delivering services across African borders.
• Digital Financial Services: Fintech innovations in payments, investments, insurance, and trade finance.
• Trade & Investment Facilitation: Digital tools to streamline trade procedures, formalities, and compliance.
• Entrepreneurial Skills Development: Digital training, capacity-building, and mentorship platforms for MSMEs.

3. Benefits

• Recognition and Exposure:
  • Showcase your innovative solution at high-profile AfCFTA events.
• Mentorship and Capacity Building:
  • Gain mentorship from industry leaders and investors.
• Funding and Partnerships:
  • Unlock funding and partnerships to scale your innovation across Africa.
• Networking:
  • Connect with key stakeholders in the digital trade ecosystem.

4. Eligibility

• Participants:
  • African innovators and entrepreneurs aged 18-35.
  • Individuals, teams, startups, and enterprises with digital solutions addressing cross-border trade challenges for MSMEs.
  • Early-stage (Ideation and Prototype Phase) or growth-stage (Operational and Scaling Phase) solutions.

5. Selection Criteria

• Uniqueness of Innovation:
  • Evaluation of the innovation’s originality and potential impact.
• Scalability:
  • Potential for expansion or scaling into multiple African markets.
• Impact on MSMEs:
  • Addressing cross-border trade barriers for MSMEs.
• Promotion of Intra-African Trade:
  • Contribution to economic integration and intra-African trade.

6. Application Process

• Challenge Stages:
  • Selection of 50 Finalists: Shortlisted innovators will join a capacity-building program.
  • Top 10 Finalists: Present pitches at the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum in May 2025.
  • Top 5 Winners: Announced and pitch at BIASHARA AFRIKA 2025, receiving recognition, funding, mentorship, and access to finance opportunities