The African tech ecosystem is no longer "emerging"; it is exploding. From fintech giants to agritech innovators, African founders are solving some of the world’s most complex problems. But even the best ideas need a catalyst.
Enter Accelerate Africa, a pre-seed and seed-stage accelerator designed specifically to help African founders scale their businesses to $1 million in revenue within 18 months.
If you are a visionary founder building a better world for all of us, here is why you need to pay attention to this call for applications.
What is Accelerate Africa?
Accelerate Africa isn’t your "standard" accelerator. It is an intensive program led by the team at Future Africa, who have collectively built, funded, and advised some of the continent's most successful companies, including Andela, Flutterwave, and Moove.
Unlike many global accelerators that apply a Western-centric lens to African problems, Accelerate Africa provides hands-on mentorship from people who have "the scars and stories to prove" they know how to win in African markets.
Why This Program is Different
No Upfront Equity: Unlike most accelerators, they do not take equity or charge a fee upon admittance. They believe in backing you first.
High-Stakes Funding: While participation doesn't guarantee a check, the Future Africa fund may invest between $250,000 and $500,000 in selected startups following the program.
1:1 Mentorship: You aren't just a number. Each cohort is capped at 10 startups to ensure every founder gets personalized attention from seasoned operators.
Hardware & Infrastructure Focus: For the upcoming Cohort 5, there is a special "Request for Innovation" focus on hardware and infrastructure tech—vital for the continent's digital and industrial future.
Are You the "CARAT" They’re Looking For?
Accelerate Africa looks for founders they call CARATs:
Curious
Ambitious
Resourceful
Attitude (Positive)
Team Players
They value founders who have lived the problems they are solving and have the traction to prove their solution works. Whether you’re building in AI, IoT, energy, logistics, or fintech, if you’re building for Africa, they want to see you.
Key Dates to Remember (Cohort 4)
Applications Close: January 31, 2026
Program Launch: March 09-12, 2026
Demo Day: May 25-28, 2026
How to Apply
Don't wait until the last minute. The application process begins with creating an account on their platform, where you can get an initial assessment and recommendations for your startup.
Apply here