Are you building a tech startup in one of Africa’s emerging markets? The Digital Africa Seed Fund (DA Seed Fund) is accepting applications from African tech startups at MVP stage or beyond. The first investment averages €300,000, and a startup can receive up to €2 million in total.
There is no fixed deadline. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, starting with an online eligibility check.
Eligible Countries: Check Before You Apply
The fund focuses on 20 priority African countries, mainly emerging and underserved startup ecosystems. Digital Africa has not published the full list of 20 countries.
Countries where Digital Africa has recently invested (2025 investments, as reported by Launch Base Africa): Tunisia, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda and Morocco. Its earlier pre-seed programme, Fuzé, has backed startups across 16 African countries, with a strong focus on French-speaking Africa.
Probably not a priority: startups based in Africa’s largest startup hubs, Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Egypt. The fund is designed to invest in markets outside these “Big Four” ecosystems.
The online eligibility check is the only way to confirm whether your country qualifies. It takes a few minutes, so check it before you prepare a full application.
About the Digital Africa Seed Fund
Digital Africa is a pan-African programme backed by Proparco (the private-sector arm of the French Development Agency, AFD), the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and the European Union. The DA Seed Fund was launched at the Africa Forward Summit in Nairobi on 12 May 2026. Its backers include Proparco, the European Commission and the West African Development Bank (BOAD).
The fund fills a gap many African founders face. Startups with a working product are often too mature for pre-seed funding but not yet ready for Series A investors. Digital Africa calls the fund a bridge in a “financing continuum”: its Fuzé programme invests at idea and prototype stage, the DA Seed Fund invests at MVP and traction stage, and Proparco’s Choose Africa initiative takes over from Series A.
What the Fund Offers
- Average first investment of €300,000, used to fund concrete milestones such as product improvements, market expansion tests, key hires and compliance
- Up to €2 million per startup across its follow-on rounds
- Support and “de-risking” from Seed through Pre-Series A and Series A
- A path to larger investors such as Proparco’s Choose Africa initiative
Fund size: €30 million, with a hard cap of €50 million. It plans to invest in about 30 startups.
This is an equity investment, not a grant. Digital Africa takes a stake in your company.
Who Can Apply?
According to Digital Africa, the online eligibility check looks for:
- An African tech startup: technology must be a core part of your product or business model
- Operations in one of the 20 priority countries (see the box above)
- MVP or traction stage: a working product, early users and a credible path to regional growth
Priority sectors reported for the fund include AI, fintech, healthtech, climate tech, space tech and digital infrastructure. Digital Africa assesses your business model, regional growth potential, founding team and measurable impact.
If your startup is still at the idea or prototype stage, Digital Africa’s Fuzé programme (tickets of €20,000–€100,000) may suit you better.
Application Process
- Online application and eligibility check: confirms you are an African tech startup in a priority country at MVP or traction stage
- Analysis and due diligence: review of your business model, growth potential, team and impact
- Digital Africa investment committee: you present your startup and the committee decides
- In-depth diligence, closing and disbursement of the first ticket, around €300,000 on average
Deadline
No closing date has been announced. Applications are open on a rolling basis.
How to Apply
- Read the details on the official DA Seed Fund page (in French).
- Prepare a short description of your product, traction, team and the market you serve.
- Start your application and eligibility check on the Digital Africa application portal.
More Startup Funding
- Y Combinator Winter 2027: Get US$500,000 for Your Startup (closes 2 November 2026)
- UNICEF Femtech Ventures 2026: Get Up to $100,000 Equity-Free for Your Startup (closes 4 November 2026)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which countries are eligible for the Digital Africa Seed Fund?
The fund targets 20 priority African countries, mainly emerging and underserved ecosystems. The full list has not been published. Recent Digital Africa investments were in Tunisia, Ghana, Cameroon, Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire, Uganda and Morocco. Use the online eligibility check to confirm your country.
Can Nigerian startups apply?
Nigeria is one of Africa’s “Big Four” startup hubs, which the fund does not prioritise. Nigerian founders can take the online eligibility check, but should expect that Nigeria may not be on the priority list.
Is it a grant?
No. It is an equity investment: Digital Africa takes a stake in your startup.
Is there a deadline?
No closing date has been announced. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.
