The Jobtech Alliance has opened applications for the Cross Border Jobs Startup Competition 2025, a new initiative aimed at discovering and supporting bold African startups working to reshape labour mobility across the continent. With Africa’s workforce growing rapidly and millions seeking better employment options beyond their borders, the competition focuses on solutions that make cross-border work safer, fairer, and more accessible.
Key Highlights:
Competition: Cross Border Jobs Startup Competition 2025
Top Prize: $10,000 for each of the top three startups
Additional Benefits: Tech perks worth up to $200,000, mentorship, and follow-on support
Application Opens: 1 October 2025
Deadline: 31 October 2025
Pitch Week: 10–17 November 2025
Winners Announced: Early December
Africa’s labour force is growing faster than its job market. In Sub-Saharan Africa, between 10 and 12 million young people enter the labour market every year, yet only about 3 million formal jobs are created. This leaves millions searching for opportunities abroad or across the continent — often without safe, structured, or fair pathways.
The Cross Border Jobs Startup Competition aims to address this gap by spotlighting startups that help Africans move across borders for work and build better futures. Solutions might include expanding jobtech platforms to support labour mobility, facilitating recruitment and placement services, or offering support tools like language training, financial services, housing assistance, and compliance support for migrant workers.
For MSMEs and founders, this is a chance to build scalable solutions that respond to a major continental challenge while gaining exposure, mentorship, and funding.
Tips for Applicants:
Clearly explain how your solution addresses cross-border labour mobility challenges and improves access to decent work.
Show any traction or early validation your startup has achieved, even if it’s still at the idea or MVP stage.
Emphasise how your solution aligns with principles of ethical and responsible labour migration.
Make your 10-slide pitch deck concise, visually clear, and focused on impact, scalability, and sustainability.
Eligibility Criteria: To qualify, startups must:
Be registered businesses based in Africa.
Offer solutions that support cross-border labour mobility between African countries or between Africa and other regions.
Adhere to principles of responsible and professional labour migration.
Provide evidence of traction (preferred but not mandatory).
Prizes and Support:
$10,000 grant each for the top three startups.
Access to Jobtech Alliance’s tech perks worth up to $200,000 per company (including AWS credits).
Mentorship and access to networks through Jobtech Alliance, LaMP, IOM, and other partners.
Eligibility for additional follow-on support for startups showing strong traction.
