Restoring degraded land—farmland, forests, and landscapes—is essential to combat climate change, boost food security, and improve livelihoods. The AFR100 Land Accelerator supports entrepreneurs across Africa who are leading restoration efforts. It offers training, funding, and networks to scale up impactful solutions that help heal the land and strengthen local communities.
What You’ll Get (Benefits)
Innovation grant of USD 5,000 for the top 100 selected restoration entrepreneurs/enterprises.
Cohort-based accelerator combining online mentorship and training, followed by an in-person workshop.
Weekly online sessions during Phase One (3 months) to build your deliverables.
In-person intensive workshop in Phase Two, concluding with an “Impact Day” pitch to public and potential investors.
Inclusion in a growing network of restoration entrepreneurs; connection with partners like WRI, Fledge, and AUDA-NEPAD.
Who Should Apply (Eligibility)
You should apply if you meet most of the following:
You are leading or co-founding a business or project that works on restoring degraded landscapes or forests in Africa.
Your initiative is aimed at forest landscape restoration (FLR), aligned with AFR100 goals, the Bonn Challenge, Agenda 2063, or relevant SDGs.
You are open to online training and can travel (if selected) for the in-person workshop.
Youth and women entrepreneurs are specifically encouraged.
Duration & Deadline
Phase One: 3 months of online training, mentorship, and deliverables creation.
Phase Two: One week in-person workshop, culminating in an Impact Day.
Deadline for applications: October 30, 2025.
Tips for Strong Applications
Be specific about your restoration impact Give numbers or estimates—hectares restored, number of farmers served, carbon sequestered, etc. This helps show tangible value.
Show viability and scalability Explain how your project can grow or be replicated. What resources will you need? What are your potential bottlenecks?
Demonstrate community or stakeholder involvement Restoration work often succeeds best when local communities, governments, or farmers are involved. If you have partnerships, highlight them.
Have a clear plan for finances and deliverables Even though the grant is moderate (USD 5,000), showing you can manage it well (budget breakdown, timeline) strengthens trust.
Leverage gender / youth angle if applicable If you are a youth-led or women-led project, or your impact strongly benefits women or youth, make that visible. There is preference for inclusion.
How to Apply (Step by Step)
Visit the AFR100 Land Accelerator page on the AUDA-NEPAD / NEPAD website or their official “Calls for Proposals” section.
Fill out the online application with details about your project, team, restoration plan, impact metrics, and budget.
Submit all required supporting documents (can include photographs, community agreements, land tenure info if relevant).
Submit before October 30, 2025. Late applications will likely not be considered.
If selected, attend the Phase One online sessions; for Phase Two, prepare to travel (if required) for the in-person workshop.
