Are you an agri‑food company in Africa seeking international partnerships, funding support, and long-term development impact? The Africa Agri‑Food Development Programme 2025-2026 is now open for applications, offering an exciting opportunity to scale your agribusiness through strategic Irish-African collaboration.
The Africa Agri‑Food Development Programme 2025-2026 provides matched grant funding for private sector-led agri‑food initiatives that deliver commercial returns and measurable development outcomes in Africa. Jointly managed by the Irish Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) and the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the programme strengthens value chains, supports food system innovation, and fosters equitable business partnerships.
What is the Africa Agri‑Food Development Programme?
The Africa Agri‑Food Development Programme (AADP) is a bilateral funding initiative that supports partnerships between Irish agri‑food companies and locally owned African enterprises. AADP offers matched grants to help these partnerships develop, expand, or scale commercially viable agri-food projects with clear sustainability and development outcomes.
The programme aligns with the African Union’s CAADP 2026-2035 agenda, which targets a 45% increase in African agri-food output, reduction in post-harvest losses, and a major boost in intra-African food trade and local processing.
Who is Eligible?
To qualify for AADP 2025-2026, applicants must meet the following:
- Companies based in Ireland or any of 18 eligible African countries
- Legally registered and operational for at least 12 months
- Proposing a project in partnership: For full project funding, both an Irish and African business must be involved
- Demonstrate strong commercial track record (minimum 3 years for full projects)
- Show ability to co-finance 50% of the total project budget
- Present a project with measurable sustainability and development impact
What Funding is Available?
AADP provides two types of financial support:
| Type of Grant | Maximum Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Feasibility Study | Up to €100,000 | Explore new markets or test new models |
| Full Project Grant | Up to €250,000 | Implement scalable, impactful agri-food initiatives |
All grants are matched, meaning companies must contribute at least 50% of the project budget from other sources.
Application Process
Applications are submitted directly to the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs via email.
- Application window: Opens annually or biannually; expected in mid-2025
- Documents required: Business profiles, partnership agreements, project plan, development impact indicators, co-financing proof, etc.
- Submission format: Fillable application form and supporting documents sent via email
🔗 Click here to apply via Grants Database
📄 Click here to read more about the programme
Expert Opinion: How to Prepare a Winning Proposal
According to the Grants Database Team, successful proposals to the AADP should:
“Demonstrate a strong, equitable partnership between an Irish and African business with a clear pathway to market success. The proposal must show not only commercial viability, but also how it contributes to job creation, local capacity-building, food security, and sustainable agricultural practices.”
They further advise:
- Begin early to identify and negotiate partnership terms
- Use data to justify project need and market opportunity
- Align proposal language with SDG impact and AADP goals
- Provide realistic financial forecasts and a clear project timeline
- Highlight how the project strengthens value chains or boosts local processing
Need help refining your application?
📧 Contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
Why Apply?
Participating in AADP 2025–2026 offers:
- Access to significant non-dilutive grant funding
- Strengthened business ties between Ireland and Africa
- Capacity building and knowledge transfer
- Market expansion and risk-sharing for African entrepreneurs
- Direct contribution to food system transformation across the continent
Final Thoughts
With a growing emphasis on food system sustainability, equitable partnerships, and value chain development, the Africa Agri‑Food Development Programme 2025-2026 is a strategic opportunity for agri-food companies to innovate and scale. Act now to position your business for growth while contributing to continental development goals.
🔗 Apply now via Grants Database
📧 For support: contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
