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.

The Climate Finance Accelerator South Africa (CFA‑SA) is accepting applications for its 2026 cohort, offering intensive, tailored support to help South African low‑carbon projects become more bankable and investor‑ready.

The UN Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), under the Pro‑Congo programme, is inviting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from private enterprises in the Congo Basin to access blended financing and technical assistance for nature‑positive, deforestation‑free and climate‑resilient business models. The initiative targets MSMEs that can drive sustainable land use, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, protect biodiversity and create inclusive livelihoods through activities in sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, forest-industry transformation, landscape restoration, and ecotourism.

The Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) has launched its 28th Call for Proposals, targeting transformative projects that empower smallholder farmers, promote regenerative agriculture, and foster inclusive value chains in developing countries. With a focus on aligning commercial viability with environmental sustainability and social equity, the CFC supports initiatives that connect farmers to global markets, enhance local value addition, and build resilience through agtech, financial access, and women-led enterprises.

The AGRO-WELL Open Call – Topic A provides up to €37,500 per project to demonstrate and validate smart farming solutions using AI, robotics or augmented reality (AR) that improve working conditions and support more sustainable, data‑driven agriculture on commercial farms.​

Opportunity overview

The Xiamen BRICS Cross‑Border Innovation Accelerator Program 2026 is a flagship international acceleration initiative hosted in Xiamen, China, designed to help high‑potential overseas and China‑based innovation companies enter, validate and scale in the Chinese market.

The National Cleantech Innovation Challenge (NCIC) 2026 is a national programme led by the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) in partnership with NGIN, regional hubs and Start‑Up Culture to accelerate South Africa’s transition to a low‑carbon, climate‑resilient and inclusive economy.

The INCiTiS‑FOOD project (Integrated and Circular Technologies for Sustainable City‑Region Food Systems in Africa) has launched Open Call 2 for Independent Innovators (IIs) to support start‑ups and SMEs working on sustainable urban and peri‑urban food production.