The initiative forms part of efforts to address long-standing structural challenges within the continent’s food systems.

Known as the Africa Food Systems Innovation Challenge (AFSIC), the programme seeks to provide financial and technical support to young enterprises developing transformative and market-ready solutions within the food value chain.

The virtual launch, held on Tuesday, brought together entrepreneurs, ecosystem players and sector stakeholders from across the continent to explore the objectives and opportunities offered under the new initiative.

Speaking at the event, Mr Nelson Madiba Amo, Executive Director of GBHub Africa, said the Challenge reflects the organisation’s conviction that Africa’s next generation of food system solutions would be driven by bold innovators who needed the right combination of capital and capacity support to scale.

He noted that while the continent continued to struggle with persistent gaps in food production, processing and distribution, there remained a growing community of early-stage innovators whose ideas showed strong potential for impact if given the right backing.

“This Challenge represents our belief that Africa’s transformative food solutions will come from bold, early-stage innovators who need the right support at the right time. We are proud to create a platform that empowers them to grow, scale, and create sustainable impact,” he said.

Ms Riana Namana Mahama, Investment Manager at GBHub Africa, outlined the structure and expected outcomes of the Challenge.

She said the initiative was deliberately designed to bridge the early-stage financing gap experienced by many start-ups long before they gained visibility among investors.

“Early-stage founders often face their toughest hurdles long before they reach investors’ radar. With this Challenge, we are stepping in at that critical stage, providing capital, guidance, and access to help them build strong, viable ventures capable of reshaping Africa’s agricultural landscape.”

Under the programme, applications opened on February 25 and will run until April 30, 2026.

After a screening phase in May, shortlisted founders will participate in pitch contests scheduled for June.

The maiden edition targets entrepreneurs in Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal, Algeria and Guinea. Successful applicants will receive €20,000 each in pre?seed funding, with the possibility of further investment based on performance.

Beyond financial support, selected innovators will undergo structured business development training under the GBHub Africa Business Academy.

The Academy provides technical assistance, operational guidance and mentorship aimed at strengthening business foundations and preparing teams for sustainable scale.

GBHub Africa expects the programme to support more than 20 innovative food enterprises annually, contributing to job creation, strengthened supply chains and improved access to nutritious food products across the continent.