Deadline: August 4, 2025
Young African entrepreneurs are once again invited to drive climate adaptation solutions through the In‑Country YouthADAPT Challenge 2025. This initiative, a flagship component of the African Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP), supports youth-led businesses providing innovative, climate-resilient solutions in agriculture and infrastructure across five African countries.
Organised by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), African Development Bank (AfDB), and the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC), the Challenge is designed to identify and scale 100 high-potential youth-led enterprises—20 in each of the target countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria.
Whether you’re tackling food insecurity or transforming climate-resilient infrastructure, the In‑Country YouthADAPT Challenge 2025 offers a unique platform to grow your enterprise and make a measurable impact.
About the In‑Country YouthADAPT Challenge 2025
The In‑Country YouthADAPT Challenge 2025 focuses on locally tailored climate adaptation solutions, equipping youth-led ventures with funding, mentorship, and investor access. Selected enterprises will undergo a business development bootcamp and pitch their innovations to local investors during national “Dragon’s Den”–style events.
The programme aligns directly with country-level adaptation priorities identified through national assessments, ensuring each business delivers locally relevant impact.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the In‑Country YouthADAPT Challenge 2025, applicants must:
- Be between 18–35 years old.
- Be the founder or co-founder of a youth-led, revenue-generating enterprise operational for at least two years.
- Be based in one of the five target countries: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, or Nigeria.
- Offer a climate adaptation solution in the agriculture or infrastructure sector, aligned with the national focus areas below.
Country-Specific Priorities
Each participating country has tailored adaptation themes:
🇰🇪 Kenya
- Resilient livestock value chains
- Sustainable agriculture infrastructure
- Early warning systems
🇹🇿 Tanzania
- Solar-powered irrigation
- Digital advisory services for farmers
🇷🇼 Rwanda
- Climate-smart irrigation
- Post-harvest loss solutions
- Adapted rural transport networks
🇬🇭 Ghana
- Drought-tolerant tree crops
- Community drainage infrastructure
- Decision-support climate tools
🇳🇬 Nigeria
- Animal shelters resilient to climate shocks
- Water systems for livestock
- Digital veterinary services
Benefits of Participation
Selected youth-led businesses will receive:
- Up to $30,000 in funding:
- $10,000 in direct grants
- $20,000 in de-risking investment support
- Participation in an investor-readiness bootcamp
- Opportunities to pitch to local investors and receive expert feedback
- Ongoing mentorship and visibility, including potential exhibition at COP30
- Access to the expanding YouthADAPT Alumni Network
Application Deadline
Applications are currently open and will close on 1 August 2025 (some country portals may extend slightly).
How to Apply
You can apply directly for your country through the official YouthADAPT platform:
👉 Click here to apply
To read more about the programme and its national impact:
👉 Learn more about the In‑Country YouthADAPT Challenge 2025 here
Final Thoughts
The In‑Country YouthADAPT Challenge 2025 is more than a grant—it’s a chance to scale your climate innovation, build investor trust, and make a real difference in your community. With funding, mentorship, and visibility on the table, there’s no better time to act.
Contact grantsdatabase.org for proposal drafting, refining, and review.
