AfDB Innovation and Entrepreneurship in African HEIs Programme

The African Development Bank's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab, working with Lagos-based EyeCity Africa, runs a free programme that helps African universities and research centres set up or strengthen incubators, innovation hubs and technology transfer offices. Institutions in any African country can apply in English or French, whether they already run a hub or are starting from nothing.

What you get:

• Practical online training in governance, operations, funding, partnerships and sustainability
• Ready-to-use toolkits and frameworks
• Onboarding onto the Bank's ENNOVA platform and a continental peer network of institutions
• For selected institutions, a Deep Dive: tailored, hands-on support to develop an innovation and entrepreneurship strategy
• All at no cost to the institution

What you'll do:

• Join either the Start group (setting up enterprise support for the first time) or the Scale group (strengthening an existing incubator, accelerator, hub or technology transfer office)
• Commit staff time of 12 to 16 hours over a three-week period

Key dates:

• Applications close 9 November 2026

More information:

• Applications can be submitted in English or French
• Applications are assessed on merit and the final cohort is balanced across the continent

• A higher education institution or research centre in any African country
• A letter from the institutional head stating commitment to the programme and further enterprise support initiatives
• Staff able to commit 12 to 16 hours over three weeks
• A commitment to women and youth participation
• Institution details and the current stage of its enterprise support unit