Agriculture, forestry and fishing

Applications are open for companies in the agro-processing sector to participate in the South African Pavilion at Gulfood - the largest food and beverage trade exhibition in the Middle East. Gulfood 2026 will showcase food and beverage products from around the world. South Africa will participate in the Fine Food Pavilion, which showcases agro-processing products and services, excluding beverages and meat.

Opportunity Type: Expression of Interest / Market Access Programme

Application Deadline: 6 April 2026

Eligible Region: Africa

Number of SMEs Selected: 30 Agribusiness SMEs

Overview

The AfCFTA African Agribusiness SME Matchmaking Program 2026 is inviting export-ready agribusiness SMEs across Africa to apply for a market access and business growth support programme.

Funding Organisation: PRIMARY Project (Funded by the European Union – Horizon Europe)

Funding Amount:

• Up to €150,000 for 3-partner consortia
• Up to €100,000 for 2-partner consortia
• Maximum €50,000 per partner
• Total funding available: €900,000

Application Deadline: 8 June 2026 (17:00 CET)

Overview

Applications are now open for the 2026 FINCA Ventures Prize Competition and the CLIC Agrifood Investment Connector Program, two complementary opportunities designed to support impact-driven enterprises operating in financial inclusion and sustainable agriculture and food systems across Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Moonshots for Development (M4D) Open Innovation Challenge is now open for growth-stage enterprises developing innovative solutions to support smallholder farmers, rural communities, and indigenous populations.

This global initiative is powered by leading international organisations including:

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched a call for applications for AgriTech startups to join the timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation Network, anchored at the timbuktoo AgriTech Hub in Ghana.

Applications are open for Cohort III of the HealthyDiets4Africa Agribusiness Accelerator Program, an initiative designed to support youth and women agripreneurs in Kenya who are developing innovations and enterprises that can transform food systems.

The European Outdoor Conservation Association (EOCA) is inviting applications from non-profit organisations worldwide for its 2026 Conservation Project Funding Round. The programme supports practical conservation initiatives that protect threatened species, restore habitats, and reconnect communities with nature.