The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has launched the 2025 Digital Innovation Challenge in Trade to empower young African innovators to develop digital solutions that address cross-border trade barriers for MSMEs.
AfCFTA is looking for bold, scalable, and innovative digital solutions that can enhance intra-African trade and unlock opportunities under the AfCFTA.
Areas of focus
- Applicants should propose digital solutions that support MSMEs in one or more of the following areas:
- Market Intelligence & E-Commerce Platforms – B2B/B2C platforms, trade data solutions, and market information providers.
- E-Commerce & Logistics – Warehousing, last-mile delivery, and digital aggregation of goods/services.
- Cross-Border Professional Services – Leveraging digital tools for the delivery of services across African borders.
- Digital Financial Services – Fintech innovations in payments, investments, insurance, and trade finance.
- Trade & Investment Facilitation – Digital tools to streamline trade procedures, formalities, and compliance.
- Entrepreneurial Skills Development – Digital training, capacity-building, and mentorship platforms for MSMEs.
Benefits
- Showcase your innovative solution at high-profile AfCFTA forum event
- Gain mentorship and Capacity from industry leaders, investors, and more
- Unlock funding and partnerships to scale your innovation and business proposal across Africa
- Networking with key stakeholders in the digital trade ecosystem.
Who can apply?
- This challenge is open to:
- African innovators and entrepreneurs aged 18–35.
- Individuals, teams, startups, and enterprises with a digital solution that addresses cross-border trade challenges for MSMEs.
- Early-stage (for example, ideation and prototype phase) or growth-stage (operational and scaling phase) solutions.
Assessment Criteria
- All applications will be assessed based on the following:
- Uniqueness of the Innovation
- The potential for expansion or scaling of the solution into multiple African markets?
- Impact on addressing cross-border trade barriers for MSMEs.
- Promoting intra-African trade and economic integration.
How to apply Click here to begin your application
The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat has introduced the 2025 Digital Innovation Challenge in Trade, aimed at empowering young African innovators to create digital solutions that address cross-border trade barriers for MSMEs.
The challenge seeks innovative digital solutions that enhance intra-African trade across various focus areas such as market intelligence, e-commerce platforms, logistics, digital financial services, and entrepreneurial skills development.
Participants can benefit from showcasing their solutions at AfCFTA forums, receiving mentorship and support from industry leaders, gaining funding and partnership opportunities, and networking with stakeholders in the digital trade ecosystem.
The challenge is open to African innovators and entrepreneurs aged 18–35, including individuals, teams, startups, and enterprises with solutions ready for early or growth-stage development.
Applications will be evaluated based on the uniqueness and scalability of the innovation, its impact on cross-border trade barriers, and its potential to promote intra-African trade and economic integration. Interested participants can find more details and apply through the provided link.
