Terms & Conditions

Programme Offer

Access a Fully Funded Bootcamp in Benin, Senegal, or Côte d’Ivoire
Fifteen innovation representatives will be selected to participate in an intensive bootcamp in Benin, 15 in Senegal, and 15 in Côte d’Ivoire. Each bootcamp will include farm visits, business training, technical and scientific mentoring, and pitch training. These bootcamps will enable participants to gain a deeper understanding of the agricultural ecosystem of the host country, including its challenges and opportunities, through direct exchanges with farmers, agri-food businesses, and scientific experts. The programme will fully cover the participation costs of one representative per selected innovation. However, additional team members are welcome to participate at their own expense.
Build Strategic Connections with Agri-Food Companies and Ecosystem Stakeholders
Bootcamp participants will engage with a strong network of local and international partners, including research institutions, investors, and private-sector actors. These interactions will create opportunities for collaboration and partnerships with industry stakeholders. They can strengthen the credibility of innovations and support their commercialization and scale-up.
Access a Fully Sponsored Three-Month Acceleration Programme
Up to 21 teams will be admitted to the acceleration programme (seven per country), combining technical assistance with entrepreneurial and business development training. Participants will benefit from coaching sessions, investor-readiness training, and support in the design and validation of pilot projects, with a clear focus on creating sustainable and scalable impact.
Receive Technical Support from the International Innovation Hub Scientific Community
Teams will receive tailored technical support from researchers affiliated with the International Innovation Hub, who are experts in their respective fields. In addition to group workshops on scaling strategies, each team will be matched with researchers from the University of Abomey-Calavi, the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT/CGIAR, CIRAD, Institut Agro, INP-HB, IRD, and USSEIN to validate the scientific foundations of their solution and refine it in light of field realities and ongoing national and international research.
Connect with Investors and Strategic Partners
Teams will gain visibility among regional investors, venture capital firms, and agriculture-focused accelerators through investor meetings, pitch events, and carefully curated networking opportunities. This visibility is intended to increase opportunities for securing additional funding—including funding for further research and development—and for establishing long-term strategic partnerships.
Conduct Pilot Tests with Farmers and End Users
Participants will have access to real-world testing environments, including farms, cooperatives, and local agri-food businesses. These opportunities will allow startups to gather user feedback, validate product-market fit, and explore pathways for market expansion within the region and beyond.
Post-Acceleration Support
Winning teams will continue to be part of the International Innovation Hub’s startup portfolio. Three startups will receive post-acceleration support, including strategic advisory services, facilitated introductions to partners, and access to the innovation platforms and scientific infrastructure of Hub members.
Who can apply?

Eligibility Criteria

The West Africa Agri-Food Challenge is open to innovators, startups, and research teams developing innovative solutions for the agricultural and agri-food sectors in West Africa. 

Partnerships with startups already operating in Benin, Senegal, or Côte d’Ivoire—or with a clear plan for local establishment—are strongly encouraged. 

To be eligible, your application must meet the following criteria: 

Legal Status
You must be a legally registered entity or be affiliated with a national or international research centre or university that has a presence or activities in Benin, Senegal, or Côte d’Ivoire. You must also hold the intellectual property rights associated with the proposed solution.
Relevance to Benin, Senegal, or Côte d’Ivoire
Your solution must address major agricultural challenges in the region and align with at least one of the programme’s priority themes. We are looking for innovations that deliver tangible value to farmers, agri-food businesses, and the wider ecosystem.
Solution Maturity
Your solution must have reached the Minimum Viable Product (MVP) stage and, ideally, already have been tested with end users. Applicants should have a clear vision of the next stages of product and business model development, as well as a specific challenge for which researchers and scientists can provide support.
Scientific Validation and Innovation
Your solution must be innovative or provide a significant improvement over existing technologies, concepts, or approaches. Particular attention will be given to innovations that address specific challenges while generating measurable value for end users.
Sustainability & Scalability
Your business model must demonstrate viability, growth potential, and the capacity to be replicated or adapted at a larger scale. You should provide evidence of market opportunities, competitive differentiation, and your solution’s ability to create lasting impact.
Environmental & Social Impact
Your innovation must generate measurable environmental and social benefits while minimizing potential risks. Particular attention will be paid to solutions that promote climate resilience, sustainable resource use, inclusive growth within agri-food systems in West Africa, women’s empowerment, and the reduction of gender inequalities across agricultural value chains.
Team Composition and motivation
Your team should bring together complementary technical, scientific, and entrepreneurial skills. We particularly value teams that demonstrate a strong commitment to collaboration, inclusion, and impact. At least two team members must be proficient in English and/or French. Teams may include entrepreneurs, practitioners, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, scientists, or researchers and must be fully committed to the programme and willing to travel to Benin, Senegal, or Côte d’Ivoire to participate in programme activities, including the bootcamps scheduled for October and November 2026.

Important Note: Incomplete applications, applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria, or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered during the evaluation process.

Apply by 03 July 2026 at 23:59 (UTC)

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