African Development Bank (AfDB) Africa Digital Financial Inclusion Facility (ADFI) — Grant Window

About this opportunity

ADFI awards grants of $200,000–$2m to fintech firms, financial service providers, and regulators expanding digital financial access across Africa. Apply if you serve underserved populations through digital finance, agri-finance, health finance, or identity solutions.

Who can apply

• Financial service providers (banks, microfinance institutions, mobile money operators)
• Fintech startups building digital financial products
• Regulators and policy bodies developing digital finance frameworks
• Implementing organisations partnering with financial institutions
• Organisations demonstrating ability to reach underserved populations with scalable solutions
• Entities registered and operating in an African country

Not eligible

• Organisations without a clear plan to scale across borders or reach meaningful populations
• Projects that do not focus on financial inclusion or digital identity

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Documents you will need

• Business plan or project proposal (outline of the digital financial product, target market, and implementation timeline)
• Proof of organisation registration and legal status
• Financial projections for at least 3 years
• Curriculum vitae or profiles of key team members
• Letters of support or partnership agreements from financial institutions or sector partners (if applicable)
• Evidence of prior experience in financial services or the relevant sector

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How to apply, step by step

1. Visit the AfDB website and locate the ADFI grant portal or funding page
2. Review the full programme guidelines and eligibility criteria to confirm your organisation qualifies
3. Prepare your application materials, including a detailed project proposal aligned with ADFI's focus areas (fintech, agri-finance, health finance, or digital identity)
4. Complete the online application form with all required documents and financial information
5. Submit before the deadline (ADFI typically operates on a rolling basis, so no fixed closing date, but confirm current windows with AfDB)

How applications are selected

What reviewers look for

• Show a clear understanding of your target underserved population: age, income level, geography, and their current barriers to formal financial services
• Demonstrate how your solution is scalable beyond your first market—ADFI funds catalytic grants meant to expand across Africa, not one-country pilots
• Provide evidence of team capability: fintech success requires technical, financial, and regulatory expertise; show you have these or can hire them quickly
• Include partnerships with established financial institutions or regulators; lone startups are weaker candidates unless they have proven traction
• Be realistic about timelines and costs; overestimated impact and underestimated implementation risk are common reasons for rejection

Frequently asked questions

Guide written from the official programme page on 17 October 2026. Funders change their rules, so confirm the details on the official page before you apply.

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