African Cities Innovation Fund 2026

About

The African Cities Innovation Fund 2026 offers grants of up to USD 75,000 to collaborative partnerships developing scalable urban solutions that address systemic challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa, along with coaching, mentorship, and opportunities for visibility and collaboration with global development actors.

Benefits

• 💰Flexible funding — Up to USD 75,000 per selected partnership
• 🛠️ Coaching and technical assistance — Strengthen project design and implementation
• 🤝Mentorship and partnership facilitation — Help scale impact collaboratively
• 🌍Visibility and connections — Access to global development actors via IDIA network
• 🚀Opportunity to pilot solutions — Collaborate with ecosystem partners like civil society groups and public sector agencies

Eligibility Criteria

• Solutions must impact at least one million urban Africans living on less than USD 5.50/day
• Must be developed by or implemented in close partnership with nationals of Sub-Saharan African countries
• Projects must align with at least one thematic area: Circular production, Climate-resilient services & infrastructure, Youth employment & mobility, Digital equity, Safe and healthy urban spaces

Participation Commitments

• Collaborate with ecosystem partners
• Design and pilot integrated urban solutions
• Engage in mentorship and coaching sessions

Target Region

Sub-Saharan Africa

Target Sector

Urban innovation, climate resilience, digital equity