AfCFTA Digital Innovation Challenge: Empowering MSMEs Through Digital Solutions

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat is thrilled to announce the 2025 Digital Innovation Challenge in Trade. This initiative is designed to empower younger African innovators in creating digital options that tackle cross-border commerce limitations for Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). We are looking for daring, scalable, and progressive digital options that may improve intra-African commerce and unlock new alternatives beneath the AfCFTA.

Who Can Apply?

This problem is open to:

• African innovators and entrepreneurs aged 18 – 35.
• Individuals, groups, startups, and enterprises with a digital answer addressing cross-border commerce challenges for MSMEs.
• Early-stage (Ideation and Prototype Phase) or growth-stage (Operational and Scaling Phase) options.

Focus Areas

Applicants ought to suggest digital options in a number of of the next areas:

• Market Intelligence & E-Commerce Platforms: B2B/B2C platforms, commerce knowledge options, and market info suppliers.
• E-Commerce & Logistics: Warehousing, last-mile supply, and digital aggregation of products/providers.
• Cross-Border Professional Services: Leveraging digital instruments for seamless service supply throughout African borders.
• Digital Financial Services: Fintech improvements in funds, investments, insurance coverage, and commerce finance.
• Trade & Investment Facilitation: Digital instruments to streamline commerce procedures, formalities, and compliance.
• Entrepreneurial Skills Development: Digital coaching, capacity-building, and mentorship platforms for MSMEs.

Selection Process and Criteria

All purposes might be assessed based mostly on:

• Uniqueness of the Innovation – How unique and progressive is the proposed answer?
• Scalability – Can the answer increase into a number of African markets?
• Impact – How successfully does it tackle cross-border commerce limitations for MSMEs?
• Contribution to Intra-African Trade – How does it promote financial integration throughout the continent?

Timelines & Stages

• Applications Open: twenty sixth March 2025
• Application Deadline: 18th April 2025
• Selection of fifty Finalists: Shortlisted innovators will enter a capacity-building program centered on creating a marketing strategy and pitch.
• Top 10 Finalists: Present pitches on the AfCFTA Digital Trade Forum in May 2025.
• Top 5 Winners Announced: Winners will pitch at BIASHARA AFRIKA 2025.

Winning innovators will obtain recognition, funding, mentorship, and entry to finance alternatives.

Why Participate?

• Showcase Your Innovation at a high-profile AfCFTA discussion board occasion.
• Gain Mentorship and Capacity-Building from trade leaders and buyers.
• Unlock Funding and Partnerships to scale your innovation throughout Africa.
• Expand Your Network by connecting with key stakeholders within the digital commerce ecosystem.

How to Apply

Submit your proposal by downloading the application type and submitting it by 18th April 2025. Don’t miss this chance to make an enduring impression on Africa’s digital commerce panorama.

Join us in shaping the way forward for African commerce by means of innovation.

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