Home Grown Solutions (HGS) Accelerator Africa

Guide for Prospective Applicants

April – May 2026

Healthcare ventures

Climate-focused ventures

0

We believe that your venture exemplifies a Home Grown Solution (HGS) that is working across either of two sectors:

• Strengthening Africa's health system
• Contributing to Africa's climate resilience

We believe that our proven offering may help your venture to achieve further growth and impact across the continent

We hope that you will consider applying to participate in our 2026 cohort of this unique Accelerator

Why we are connecting with you

In collaboration with:

1

Our target ventures for the HGS Accelerator

We are searching for you if you are a venture in either the healthcare or climate sector and are meaningfully contributing to strengthen Africa's healthcare systems or climate resilience

Priority solutions

Sector focus

Venture stage

Home Grown

Geographical focus

Any solution strengthening African health systems including but not limited to care providers, manufacturers, distributors or technological enablers

Growth and/or mature stage for-profit entities with market traction and ambition to scale

Africa-focused operations & employee base, preference for African leadership

Pan-African scope, with preference for companies with multi-country operations

Health-care

Sector

​

Any solution contributing to climate resilience specifically across:

Energy & Power, Mobility & Transport, Waste & Circular Economy, and Nature-based Solutions

Early & growth and/or mature stage for-profit entities with market traction and ambition to scale

Africa-focused operations & employee base, preference for African leadership

Pan-African scope, with preference for companies with multi-country operations

Climate sector

In collaboration with:

2

We are looking for climate ventures across 4 sub-sectors�If your venture activities meet the descriptions below, please apply for the accelerator under the climate sector

• Ventures providing solutions that increase access to and use of clean and affordable energy across Africa including:

• Decentralized energy systems such as off-grid solar, mini-grids, battery storage and green hydrogen
• Innovative access and use models such as pay-as-you-go (PAYGO) clean energy solutions and waste-based clean cooking technologies

​

• Ventures providing sustainable mobility and transport solutions across Africa including:

• Low-carbon vehicles and electrification solutions e.g., e-mobility, two-wheelers and fleet electric vehicles
• Efficient logistics and transport services including last-mile delivery, low-carbon logistics and green port solutions

​

• Ventures that develop solutions that reduce waste & promote circular economy principles across Africa including:

• Waste reduction through resource efficiency and packaging optimization, recycling and re-use
• Repurposing solutions including e-waste and marine plastics recycling and responsible disposal of hazardous waste

​

• Ventures developing solutions that protect, restore and sustainably manage Africa's natural ecosystems including:

• Habitat protection and preservation
• Anti-poaching and sustainable tourism initiatives
• Restoration and rehabilitation efforts e.g., wetland restoration, coral gardening, forest ecosystem rehabilitation and nature-based carbon removal solutions

​

Energy & Power

Mobility & Transport

Waste & Circular Economy

Nature-based Solutions

In collaboration with:

3

Our journey and proven offering that can help you

Home Grown Solutions (HGS) Accelerator

… including detail on previous cohort of HGS ventures supported

4

Our shared journey to date

2023

Continued operation across the continent with 9 healthcare HGS companies supported

​

Steady-state

2026

Support 12 companies in the 2025 Cohort �10 new HGS, as well follow-on support to 2 alumni companies

​

Designed the climate sector expansion

New sector

2024

Continued operation across the continent with 8 new healthcare HGS and 2 alumni companies supported

​

Steady-state

2022

Expanded to support 14 promising HGS companies across continent

​

Building pan-African support ecosystem

Expansion phase

2020-2021

Stakeholder consultations and definition of problem, approach & set-up. Supported 5 promising HGS companies to build & test model in �East Africa

Ideation + EA Pilot

46 Companies and 4 alumni supported

This year will see the 6^th cohort of the Home Grown Solutions accelerator

• Text

• Text

• Text

• Text

• Text

• Text

2025

Steady state

Provide support to healthcare HGS building on established steady state

​

Introduce new climate venture support for companies across 4 climate sectors: Energy & Power, Mobility & Transport, Waste & circular economy & Nature-based solutions

In collaboration with:

5

Our 2021 East Africa Pilot cohort

From 56 applications received, 12 were shortlisted and detailed for the SteerCo who in March 2021 decided on this Pilot cohort of 5 outstanding Home Grown Solutions

In collaboration with:

6

International network of modernizing providers

Diagnostic clinics in underserved areas

Novel pre-paid scheme for uninsured patients

Referral hospital & pillar of local health

Medical device designer and manufacturer

Local telehealth and home visit platform

Pharmaceuticals B2B and B2B2C platform

Our 2022 Pan-African cohort

From 160 applications received and a shortlist of 28, our SteerCo decided in March 2022 on this Pan-African cohort of 14 outstanding Home Grown Solutions from across the continent

South Africa

West Africa

venture stage

In collaboration with:

7

Our 2023 Pan-African cohort

From 150 applications received and a shortlist of 27, our SteerCo decided in March 2023 on this Pan-African cohort of 9 outstanding Home Grown Solutions from across the continent

• Telemedicine focused on underserved communities

• E-commerce platform for pharmacies

• Healthcare investment and management venture

• Learning platform for medics

• E-Pharmacy for self-test kits

• Homecare nursing provider

Learning platform for medics

• Oxygen Manufacturer

• Digital Ultrasound Provider

Growth Stage

Early stage

In collaboration with:

8

Our 2024 Pan-African cohort

From 90 applications and 17 shortlisted, our SteerCo in April 2024 selected a Pan-African cohort; 8 outstanding Home-Grown Solutions and 2 re-engaged alumni for their continued impact

• Maternity-focused hospital offering child & general care

• State-of-the-art dialysis center

• Manufacturer producing quinine active pharmaceuticals

• Telemedicine app used by healthcare givers to refer their patients

• 3-in-1 cloud based software with POS and supplier application

• Lab building library of genomic datasets from Africa populations

Tech solution that uses AI for real-time ultrasound diagnosis

• AI integrated radiology for accurate report interpretation

• Microinsurance digital solution for informal workforce

Growth Stage

Early stage

• Essential primary healthcare giver for low-income communities

In collaboration with:

9

Our 2025 Pan-African cohort

From 210 applications and 28 shortlisted, our SteerCo in April 2025 selected a Pan-African cohort; 10 outstanding Home-Grown Solutions across and 2 re-engaged alumni for their continued impact

• Locally manufactured molecular diagnostics and mobile lab equipment

• Low-cost tech-enabled diagnostic centers for underserved communities

• Affordable medicines and teleconsultations through tech-driven pharmacy franchise

Mobile diagnostics via courier and home sample collection

• Medical device controlling postpartum hemorrhage in resource-limited settings

• Accredited online medical education for healthcare professionals in Africa

• AI-powered teleradiology platform matching cases to radiologists

• Solar-powered telemedicine kiosks enabling remote consultations and diagnostics

• AI-driven platform optimizing blood distribution, donor engagement and tracking

• Exchanges recyclable waste for health or travel insurance

• Produces high-value recombinant proteins at 80% cost reduction

• Interoperable EMR platform for secure real-time health data sharing

In collaboration with:

10

• Match needs to funding options, prepare reach-out with coaching, thinking & supporting materials

​

• Broker introductions to high potential (equity, debt or concessional finance) funders

​

• We represent and understand the requirements of a growing and diverse network of funders, linking you to capital needed to scale

• Identify the right partner needed to unlock scale or navigate trade or regulatory landscapes

​

• Broker introductions to potential partners across public, private, and social sectors

• We will leverage our joint networks and introduce you to leading organizations to grow your business through partnership or advise

• Provide business model validation and advisory services

​

• (For subset) Assign dedicated consultant during the accelerator program

• We have a team of world class consultants to diagnose your business needs and deliver tailor-made advisory services

What we offer

We have listened to the needs of Home Grown Solutions and offer tailored support across 3 areas for 4 months, going above and beyond typical Accelerator programs

Investment readiness support

Matching to strategic partners

Context-specific advisory

In collaboration with:

11

What this could mean for you

We can assist on a myriad of topics depending on your needs to define, prepare and execute on your planned growth, and bringing this all together in preparation to investor reach-outs

Non-exhaustive list of topics we worked on in with previous HGS companies, as example of activities we could jointly conduct under Context Specific Advisory, Investment Readiness & Matching to Strategic Partners

In collaboration with:

12

With our help, Roneek and colleagues are rapidly responding to the global need for medical consumables to support testing and vaccination campaigns

Jun

Sep

Oct

Nov

Nov

Dec

2021 total

First substantial equity raise of $3M with AAIC,

"The pitch was remarkably improved"

Started manufacturing of C19 rapid tests, KEMRI supported, producing 10,000s per month

Obtained a $4M grant by Gates Foundation to increase auto-disabled vaccine production

Doubled capacity to 1B consumables per year for 15+ countries

Mentioned by H.E. Hon. Uhuru Kenyatta as developing 'resilience' in State of Nation Address

Started sale and distribution of bcPAP for use in pediatric wards

Won UNICEF tender of 50M syringes to India (instead of imported from)

as example success story

In collaboration with:

13

Our expanding ecosystem

Home Grown Solutions Accelerator

​

for Pandemic Resilience in Africa

Public sector

Private sector

In collaboration with:

14

Our application process and beyond

Home Grown Solutions (HGS) Accelerator for Pandemic Resilience in Africa

… including application deadlines and more happening for future

15

Benefits you will receive…

• Invaluable hands-on, tailored support from world class organizations
• Unique support from dedicated team members during your journey with us
• Relationships beyond the program to ensure your successful progression

Why apply: As part of our 2026 cohort, you will receive support to scale�your business �while paving the way for other African businesses

Impact we can have together…

• Strengthen pandemic resilience across Africa, including reduced reliance on external supply chains and increased healthcare capacity
• Strengthen Africa's climate resilience and reduce dependence on imported energy and fossil fuels
• Innovate on how healthcare products, clean energy, sustainable mobility and circular economy solutions are delivered across the continent
• Create jobs(including green jobs) and contribute to a just & inclusive development of the continent
• Build a strong and dynamic Africa, with successful companies at-scale

16

16

How to apply: Complete online application in English or French before the 19^th of May 2026

• Application platform opens
• Complete the online form (English or French) and submit required documents

• Application �platform closes
• Submissions after this date are no longer accepted

• Final companies selected and informed
• Relevant documentation signed and submitted

• Applications are screened
• Shortlisted companies informed to submit additional financial info¹
• In-depth assessment conducted for shortlisted applicants

21^st April

2026

Mid to End May

2026

19^th May

2026

1. We will share NDAs prior to requesting or handling any confidential information

17

Month 1 (June)

Months 1-4 (June-Sept)

Post-programme

Create a tailored acceleration plan based on our 'menu' of support areas

​

​

Help you achieve milestones that we agree to together during four months while jump starting longer-term goals

​

Welcome you as a part of our strong alumni community with continued access to our network

​

Timeline of our offer

If selected, we will work closely together for a 4-month period, and stay connected beyond

In collaboration with:

18

Where to find us

Feel free to reach out to our team directly, and/or keep an eye out for updates on the project and our pilot cohort on our website or your preferred social media channel

… on our Website

https://www.nepad.org/microsite/home-grown-solutions-hgs-accelerator-pandemic-resilience-africa

https://www.nepad.org/programme/home-grown-solutions-hgs-accelerator-pandemic-resilience-africa

… on LinkedIn

African Union Development Agency-NEPAD

… on Twitter

@NEPAD_Agency

… via Email

HGSAHealthSol@auda-nepad.org

19

19

20