The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has launched applications for AgriTech startups to join its Timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation Network and AgriTech Hub.
The hub, hosted in Ghana with support from the Government of Japan, is designed to identify, support and prepare startups developing innovative solutions for Africa’s agricultural transformation.
Applications, opened on a rolling basis, would admit startups in quarterly cohorts, with the first intake scheduled for May 2026 and subsequent groups every three months.
The Timbuktoo initiative seeks to address challenges faced by farmers and agribusinesses, including limited market access, climate vulnerability, inefficient supply chains and constrained financing, through financial and technical support.
It aims to mobilise US$1 billion over 10 years, support 10,000 startups, scale 1,000 high-growth enterprises, improve livelihoods for 100 million people and generate US$10 billion in value across the continent.
Speaking at the event, Mr Samuel Nartey George, Minister of Communications, Digital Technology and Innovation, commended UNDP and its partners for mobilising capital and supporting African startups.
He said agriculture remained central to livelihoods across Africa but faced persistent challenges that required innovation, strong institutions, partnerships, digital tools and artificial intelligence to support scalable and sustainable small and medium enterprises.
Mr George noted that a new generation of entrepreneurs was developing local solutions with global scalability, enabling farmers to make informed decisions, improve market access and strengthen resilience to climate shocks.
“Innovation does not grow alone. Entrepreneurs thrive when they have strong support systems. This includes incubators, accelerators, investors, research institutions and policymakers. All of us play key roles in turning ideas into sustainable enterprises,” he said.
Ms Shaima Hussein, UNDP Ghana Deputy Resident Representative, said the strength of Africa’s startup ecosystem depended on both the ingenuity of entrepreneurs and the capacity of supporting institutions.
She urged selected incubators to perform effectively, describing them as “multipliers of opportunity,” astheir worked enabled entrepreneurs to access knowledge, mentorship, networks and capital.
Ms Hussein said UNDP was proud to implement the initiative, citing the growth of technology-driven solutions by African entrepreneurs to enhance productivity, strengthen food systems and build climate-resilient agriculture.
Mr Hiroshi Yoshimoto, Japan’s Ambassador to Ghana, said the initiative would empower African youth by supporting tech startups and addressing key development challenges, leveraging Japan’s expertise in entrepreneurship and innovation.
He said Japan remained committed to supporting African innovators through partnerships, recognising the importance of innovation ecosystems for economic growth and technology transfer.
Ms Joan Manda, Global Head of Timbuktoo, said the initiative would build infrastructure to support startups and unlock opportunities for entrepreneurs across the continent.
She said it would connect academia to markets through “unipals” and tech hubs to address talent gaps and support business growth in sectors such as fintech, health technology and agritech.
Source: Access Agric
