The Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on Nigerian entrepreneurs, innovators and startup enterprises to apply for the 2026 AfCFTA Startup Acceleration and Partnership Programme launched by the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat in partnership with the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Korea-Africa Foundation.
The ministry made the call in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Imomotimi Ebienfa.
According to the statement, the programme is designed to strengthen economic cooperation, trade, innovation and private-sector partnerships between African countries and the Republic of Korea within the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
It stated that about 30 African startups operating in strategic sectors such as fintech, digital commerce, manufacturing, logistics and agricultural value chains would be selected for the initiative.
The ministry explained that successful participants would benefit from business acceleration support, mentorship opportunities, capacity-building programmes, market exposure and investment networking opportunities in the Republic of Korea.
It encouraged qualified Nigerian startups and entrepreneurs with innovative and scalable business models to take advantage of the initiative to strengthen Africa-Korea commercial engagement and promote sustainable economic development across the continent.
The ministry advised interested applicants to obtain detailed eligibility requirements, programme guidelines and application procedures through the official AfCFTA portal.
Application for the programme closes on May 31, 2026.
The ministry reiterated Nigeria’s commitment to supporting continental economic integration, youth entrepreneurship, innovation and strategic international partnerships aimed at advancing national and regional development objectives.
For more information on the programme and application process, applicants can visit [the official AfCFTA programme portal] at https://au-afcfta.org
