If you’re a startup based in Ghana, Nigeria, or Tanzania developing solutions that both boost economic mobility and promote climate resilience, this $4 million facility from Village Capital offers a chance to grow with strong local backing. It emphasizes locally-led decision-making and works through Entrepreneur Support Organizations (ESOs) to connect you with capital, mentorship, and ecosystem support.
What You’ll Get (Benefits)
Access to early-stage capital between USD 75,000-500,000 to scale your operations and impact.
Support via ESOs in your country: they help with identification, vetting, and evaluation—bringing relational support grounded in your context.
Being part of a program backed by experienced global funders (FMO and the Netherlands Enterprise Agency) which boosts credibility with future investors or partners.
Who Is Eligible
To apply, your startup should match all of these:
Be locally-led and have raised less than USD 2 million in funding to date.
Be post-MVP (i.e. have a minimum viable product) with early revenue showing proof of demand.
Demonstrate healthy unit economics and a realistic route to financial sustainability.
Working on solutions that respond to climate resilience or economic mobility, or both. That might mean adapting business models, introducing disruptive products, process innovations relevant to your geography and conditions.
Currently raising between USD 75,000 and USD 500,000.
Duration, Funds & Important Dates
Overall facility size: USD 4 million, spread across the participating countries via ESOs.
No public deadline listed yet (at least not clearly in the material checked). ESOs will have country-specific details.
The program process will involve selection, due diligence, investment, and ongoing support in respective countries.
Helpful Guidance Before You Apply
Here are some tips and common pitfalls to avoid, drawn from experience with similar early-stage funding programs:
Local proof matters: Use data, pilot results, or early customers in your country to show your model works in your environment.
Clarify your revenue model: Investors will look for clear unit economics (margins, cost per customer, customer acquisition cost). Avoid vague “we’ll scale fast” without numbers.
Demonstrate climate impact or economic mobility in your metrics: If you claim climate resilience, show how it’s measured (e.g. reduced CO₂, adaptation to extremes, cost savings). If economic mobility, show job creation, income growth, or access improvements.
Partner with the right ESO: Since these organizations are part of the evaluation, connect early; read their focus and previous portfolio to understand what types of startups they favour.
Be realistic about your raise: Asking for between USD 75K-500K means you must show you can deploy that capital well and that you have a plan for use of funds.
Tell a credible story of sustainability beyond grant/funding: How will your startup sustain operations, revenue, and growth after the investment?
