GrantPilot does not give out this funding; Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) & Smart Africa Secretariat does. We help you find it, check it is real and get ready to apply.
The Innovate Africa Challenge offers technical support and pilot funding to deploy a proven AI‑based climate‑smart agriculture solution for smallholder farmers across Africa. It targets early‑stage agri‑tech startups; ensure your solution is at TRL 3‑6 before applying.
FAO & Smart Africa AI‑driven challenge to deploy a proven climate‑smart agriculture solution in a Smart Africa member state, offering technical support and pilot funding.
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Startups with AI‑based climate‑smart agriculture solutions (TRL 3‑6); legally registered entity or team; must serve smallholder farmers in Africa; preference for pre‑seed to Series A funded firms.
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Applications are screened for technical maturity (TRL 3‑6), relevance to smallholder farmers, and alignment with climate‑smart objectives. Shortlisted teams undergo a validation interview and a feasibility review with FAO and Smart Africa experts. The winning solution is offered technical support, pilot funding and deployment in a selected Smart Africa Member State.
What reviewers look for
No. Any legally registered entity serving African smallholder farmers can apply.
The challenge accepts rolling applications; submit as soon as your solution meets the criteria.
It funds deployment activities, data integration and on‑ground testing in the host Member State.
Preference is for pre‑seed to Series A firms, but later‑stage companies may be considered if the solution is at TRL 3‑6 and not yet deployed at scale.
Guide written from the official programme page on 8 November 2026. Funders change their rules, so confirm the details on the official page before you apply.
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