The Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) is now open, offering a rare and powerful opportunity for Irish agri-food businesses to scale globally, reduce risk, and create life-changing partnerships with companies in sub-Saharan Africa. This transformational, co-funded initiative supports projects that promote sustainable food systems, enhance agri-sector innovation, and contribute to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This is your last chance to apply for this record-breaking funding scheme, which offers up to €250,000 for full commercial projects and €100,000 for feasibility studies—with zero entry fees. Whether your company is focused on dairy, crops, poultry, fisheries, animal health, food processing, or agri-tech innovation, the AADP is your fast-track to building ethical, profitable ventures across Africa.
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The impact is double-fold: businesses gain access to growing African markets, while local communities benefit from job creation, technology transfer, and food security. It’s a win-win model built on inclusion, resilience, and shared value.
What makes this offer irresistible? It’s backed by the Irish Government, aligns with verified development policies, and gives your business a footprint in emerging economies without assuming full financial risk. Past recipients have launched pilot farms, training centres, and export supply chains, building strong commercial and social capital.
But here’s the urgency: this is a once-a-year offer—no rolling deadlines, no second chances. The deadline is fast approaching, and submissions received after the cut-off are automatically rejected. If you’re an Irish agri-food innovator, this is your moment to act fast and secure your spot in one of the most ethical and growth-ready funding programmes of the decade.
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Requirement/Eligibility
To be considered for AADP funding, applicants must meet strict eligibility requirements to ensure that projects are credible, sustainable, and aligned with Ireland’s development cooperation strategy:
- The lead applicant must be a company registered in Ireland, with at least 12 months of operational history before applying.
- Projects must be in partnership with a commercial entity registered in an eligible African country: Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.
- For full project funding, applicants must have a minimum of three years’ experience in their agri-business field.
- Applicants must submit:
- Audited financial accounts (at least one year).
- Documented governance structures, financial and HR systems.
- Evidence of a functional and fair partnership with the African-based counterpart (e.g., MoU or contract).
- Feasibility study applicants must have identified a specific African partner, even if only at a preliminary agreement stage.
- Projects must:
- Be commercially viable and income-generating.
- Demonstrate how they will contribute to local development and sustainability.
- Align with the Paris Climate Agreement, Ireland’s foreign policy, and international development standards.
The programme excludes projects related to alcohol, tobacco, gambling, armaments, fossil fuels, or activities that negatively impact the environment or human rights.
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Duration/Stipend
While AADP does not provide a stipend or salary support, it funds the implementation or testing of business models through two grant streams:
Feasibility Study Grant: Up to €100,000, covering 50% of the costs related to:
- Travel
- Technical assessments
- Consultant fees
- Pilot programs
- Stakeholder engagement in Africa
Full Project Grant: Up to €250,000, covering up to 50% of total eligible project costs, which may include:
- Equipment purchase
- Facility upgrades
- Training and capacity building
- Product testing and R&D
- Staff salaries and administrative overhead (only where justified)
The remaining 50% of project costs must be covered by the applicant or the African partner(s). Projects typically run for 6 to 24 months, depending on scale and feasibility.
This matched grant model provides an unbeatable launchpad for business expansion, while ensuring local ownership and development impact.
Deadline
August 15, 2025
Apply Now
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