Scholarship Overview
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
People Also Checked: Pan-African Re/Insurance Journalism Awards 2027 | Continental Reinsurance Plc
Program Overview
The African Development Bank’s Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab has launched Phase II of its flagship capacity-building initiative, titled “Lire en français: Strengthening Innovation and Entrepreneurship in African HEIs.” Delivered in partnership with EyeCity Africa, this program addresses a critical gap in Africa’s innovation ecosystem: the institutional infrastructure needed to convert academic research and student talent into viable enterprises.
Unlike individual scholarships, this opportunity targets higher education institutions and research centres across the continent. Whether your institution is designing its first incubator from scratch or seeking to professionalise an existing technology transfer office, the program provides practical training, ready-to-use toolkits, and access to a continental peer network through the Bank’s ENNOVA platform.
People Also Checked: Voqal Partners Fellowship 2027: $30,000 for Social Justice Changemakers (Fully Funded)
What Selected Institutions Receive
Participants gain comprehensive support at no financial cost:
- Extensive training modules: Online instruction covering governance structures, operational models, funding mechanisms, partnership development, and long-term sustainability planning for enterprise support units.
- Ready-to-use toolkits: Frameworks and operational tools that institutional teams can implement immediately, reducing the trial-and-error period typical of new incubator launches.
- Continental peer network: Onboarding onto ENNOVA, the African Development Bank’s innovation platform, connecting participants with a growing community of institutions facing similar challenges across diverse African contexts.
- The Deep Dive: Selected institutions receive tailored, hands-on support to develop a comprehensive innovation and entrepreneurship strategy specific to their context.
Two Entry Points: Start Group and Scale Group
The program recognises that African institutions are at vastly different stages of enterprise support development.
People Also Checked: AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest 2026: Seed Capital for Nigerian Agripreneurs
Start Group
For institutions setting up enterprise support for the first time. No existing incubator, hub, or technology transfer office is required. This track guides participants through foundational decisions: governance models, physical versus virtual infrastructure, staffing structures, and initial programme design.
Scale Group
For institutions strengthening existing enterprise support. This track serves incubators, accelerators, innovation hubs, and technology transfer offices already in operation but seeking to improve outcomes, secure sustainable funding, or expand services.
Eligibility Requirements
The program is genuinely pan-African and accessible:
- Geographic scope: Open to applicants from all African countries, including Zimbabwe and the broader SADC region.
- Languages: Bilingual delivery in English and French; applications accepted in either language.
- Cost: Completely free—no tuition, application, or participation fees.
Institutions must demonstrate:
- Leadership backing: A formal letter from your institutional head (Vice-Chancellor, Rector, or equivalent) confirming commitment to the program and to advancing enterprise support initiatives beyond the training period.
- Staff capacity: Ability to commit 12–16 hours over a three-week period for training participation.
- Inclusion commitment: Explicit commitment to women and youth participation in enterprise support activities.
Application Process
Applications are submitted online through the official portal. Before beginning, prepare:
- Complete institutional details (name, country, type of institution).
- Clear statement of current stage: whether you are in the Start Group (no existing unit) or Scale Group (existing unit requiring strengthening).
- Leadership commitment letter.
- Confirmation of staff availability for the 12–16 hour time commitment.
- Outline of your women and youth inclusion approach.
Applications are assessed on merit, with final cohort selection balanced to ensure geographic and institutional diversity across the continent.
Why This Matters for Zimbabwe and SADC Institutions
For Zimbabwean universities and polytechnics, this program addresses a specific constraint: the gap between producing graduates and enabling them to create employment. With limited domestic venture capital and challenging economic conditions, institutions that can systematically support graduate entrepreneurs become critical economic actors. The ENNOVA platform connection also offers ongoing access to AfDB networks that typically require established institutional relationships.
SADC institutions particularly benefit from the bilingual delivery, given the region’s linguistic diversity, and from peer learning with North and West African institutions that have advanced further in formalising university-industry linkages.
Program Impact: Phase I Testimonials
Participants from the first phase report concrete outcomes:
“The discussions on how higher education institutions can drive entrepreneurship were especially insightful, and the strategies for strengthening collaboration between institutions were practical and actionable. I was also struck by the role community networks play in building a supportive ecosystem for entrepreneurs.” — Abdirezak Mawlid Abdi, Phase I participant
“I learnt the approach, structure and curriculum design needed to deliver more effective entrepreneurship interventions within my ecosystem.” — Emily Ayo-John, Phase I participant
“We learned what Entrepreneurship Support Organisations (ESOs) are, the different models, and how to set one up. Through a case study of ASHESI, we then worked step by step through how to design programmes that truly support entrepreneurs.” — Amivalora Tsika, Phase I participant
Key Dates and Deadlines
Application deadline: 9 November 2026
Early application is encouraged. The three-week training commitment occurs after selection, with specific dates communicated to successful applicants.
Official scholarship page: https://www.eyecity.africa/hei-call-for-applications
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
