African startups in 10 countries can now apply for the Africa Startup Congress (ASC) National and Continental Pitch Competition, with successful national finalists set to compete at the continental stage in Kigali, Rwanda, in February 2027.

The competition is open to startups from Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and Congo.

Applications close on September 30, 2026.

The pitch competition is part of Africa Startup Congress 2027, organised by Accelerate Africa. It will begin with national competitions in each participating country, after which one winner from each country will proceed to the continental competition in Kigali.

The 2027 Africa Startup Congress is scheduled for February 24 to 26, 2027, at the Kigali Convention Center in Rwanda. The event is expected to bring together startups, investors, governments, development organisations, businesses and other stakeholders from across Africa.

To qualify, a startup must be legally registered in one of the 10 participating countries and must either have launched a product or service or have a functional prototype that has been tested with initial users. Idea-stage projects without a tangible product or prototype are not eligible.

The competition is open to all sectors, including technology, fintech, agritech, healthcare, energy, education, e-commerce, logistics and creative industries.

Founding teams must have at least two members, while at least one founder must be a national of the country where the startup is participating. All founders must also be at least 18 years old by the application deadline.

Startups demonstrating positive social or environmental impact will receive particular consideration under the competition criteria.

However, some startups are excluded from participating. These include businesses that have raised more than US$500,000 in funding during the previous 12 months, as well as startups that won first prize in an international startup competition within the previous 24 months.

A startup is also ineligible if a founder is a close relative of, or paid employee of, a competition jury member. Businesses that do not meet the registration, development-stage or founding-team requirements are similarly excluded.

Selected founders will pitch their businesses during the national competitions before investors, mentors and other startup ecosystem stakeholders.

Participants can gain business visibility, exposure to investors and ecosystem stakeholders, connections with mentors and potential partners, and experience pitching at both national and continental levels. National winners will also have the opportunity to represent their countries at the continental ASC Pitch Competition in Kigali.

According to the competition criteria, startups will be assessed based on factors including innovation, scalability, traction and impact potential.

The national competitions and roadshows are scheduled for October and November 2026. Country winners will then advance to the continental pitch competition during Africa Startup Congress 2027.

The continental event will take place from February 24 to 26, 2027, with the continental pitch competition scheduled for the final day.

Applications may be submitted in English or French. The online semi-final can also be presented in either language, while candidates at the national and continental finals may present in their country’s official language or in English.

Simultaneous interpretation will be available at the grand final in Kigali for candidates who do not speak English or French.

Eligible founders are required to submit their applications through the official Africa Startup Congress competition portal. The deadline is September 30, 2026, and organisers advise applicants to submit at least 48 hours before the deadline. Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.

Apply for the ASC Pitch Competition: Africa Startup Congress competition portal

Key details include:

• Opportunity: Africa Startup Congress Pitch Competition
• Edition: 2026–2027
• Organiser: Accelerate Africa
• Eligible countries: Cameroon, Congo, Botswana, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Rwanda, Uganda, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria
• Eligible businesses: Registered startups with a launched product/service or tested functional prototype
• Sectors: All sectors
• Application deadline: September 30, 2026
• Competition languages: English and French
• Continental event: February 24–26, 2027
• Venue: Kigali Convention Center, Rwanda

Source: msmeafricaonline.com