If you run a startup or MSME in Africa with a tech-driven idea, now’s a good time to apply for the 2026 TechSkills Marketplace Program by CMU-Africa’s Industry Innovation Lab (IIL). The initiative connects African startups with top CMU-Africa graduate talent — helping you accelerate product development, digital innovation, and growth.
This can be especially helpful for businesses needing software engineering, AI, data science, or product-design support, but lacking internal technical capacity.
What the Program Offers (Benefits for Startups / MSMEs)
Access to skilled graduate interns in areas such as AI, data science, software engineering, and product development.
Co-funded internship model — CMU-Africa covers part of the stipend cost, reducing financial burden on startups.
Opportunity to accelerate or build digital products, platforms, or AI-powered solutions.
Visibility and access to CMU-Africa’s Innovation Hub network — helpful for partnerships, future hiring, or investor exposure.
Flexible arrangements — remote or hybrid engagement models available, which is ideal for startups across Africa.
Who Can Apply (Eligibility Criteria)
To qualify, your startup or MSME should:
Be registered and operational in Africa, with a clear business model or product under development.
Work on technology-driven or digital-innovation projects — e.g. building digital platforms, improving data systems, deploying AI, product/software development, etc.
Be able to co-fund the internship (shared stipend model) and provide proper mentorship/oversight for interns.
Be ready to host interns in remote or hybrid mode, depending on project and intern’s location.
In short: any African tech startup or MSME looking to scale or build a digital/tech solution may apply.
Many African startups struggle to find high-quality technical talent, especially in AI, data science, and software development. TechSkills Marketplace solves that by offering access to CMU-Africa’s pool of trained graduate talent.
The co-funded model reduces financial burden on early-stage ventures, making it easier to try building or scaling projects without heavy upfront salary costs.
For startups working on socially impactful solutions (health tech, agri-tech, edtech, fintech, etc.), this can speed up product development and accelerate time to market.
It strengthens the African tech ecosystem by connecting institutions, startups, and innovators, promoting cross-African collaboration through the Afretec network.
