The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on Nigerian entrepreneurs, innovators, and startup enterprises to apply for the 2026 edition of the AfCFTA Startup Acceleration and Partnership Programme.
According to the ministry, the initiative was launched by the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Korea-Africa Foundation.
In a statement issued on Tuesday by the ministry’s spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the government said the programme is designed to strengthen economic cooperation, trade, innovation, and private-sector partnerships between African countries and South Korea under the AfCFTA framework.
The ministry explained that the initiative is expected to support about 30 selected African startups operating in strategic sectors such as fintech, digital commerce, manufacturing, logistics, and agricultural value chains.
According to the statement, successful applicants will benefit from business acceleration support, mentorship opportunities, capacity-building programmes, market exposure, and investment networking opportunities in South Korea.
“The initiative is expected to support approximately thirty selected African startups operating within strategic sectors, including fintech, digital commerce, manufacturing, logistics, and agricultural value chains.
“Successful participants will benefit from business acceleration support, mentorship opportunities, capacity-building programmes, market exposure, and investment networking opportunities in the Republic of Korea,” the statement read.
The ministry encouraged qualified Nigerian startups with innovative and scalable business models to take advantage of the programme to strengthen Africa-Korea commercial engagement and support sustainable economic development.
Interested applicants were advised to visit the official AfCFTA website for eligibility requirements, guidelines, and application procedures.
Application portal:
The application deadline is May 31, 2026.
The ministry reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to promoting continental economic integration, youth entrepreneurship, innovation, and strategic international partnerships for national and regional development.
