Welcome to Accelerate Africa
Accelerate Africa (AA) is a leading continental platform driving economic growth, social development, and sustainable job creation across Africa. With a strong focus on empowering startup founders, emerging SMEs, and entrepreneurs, the organization supports innovation, business growth, and scalability.
Learn more
Welcome to Accelerate Africa
Accelerate Africa (AA) is a leading continental platform driving economic growth, social development, and sustainable job creation across Africa. With a strong focus on empowering startup founders, emerging SMEs, and entrepreneurs, the organization supports innovation, business growth, and scalability.
Learn more
Welcome to Accelerate Africa
Accelerate Africa (AA) is a leading continental platform driving economic growth, social development, and sustainable job creation across Africa. With a strong focus on empowering startup founders, emerging SMEs, and entrepreneurs, the organization supports innovation, business growth, and scalability.
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Our Impact
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A message from the Continental Coordinator
“At Accelerate Africa, we believe that the continent’s future lies in the strength, resilience, and innovation of its entrepreneurs. Our mission is to empower startups and SMEs with the tools, networks, and opportunities they need to scale, compete, and thrive across Africa.”
Gilbert EwehmehCEO/Continental Coordinator
Accelerate Africa
Accelerate Africa
What we do
Our Key Focus Areas
Capacity Building & Training
Business Support & Scaling
Partnerships & Ecosystem Development
Trade, Market Access & AfCFTA
Investment and Access to Finance
About Us
Accelerate Africa (AA) is a leading continental organization dedicated to fostering economic growth, social development, and sustainable job creation across Africa. With a steadfast focus on empowering startup founders, emerging SMEs and entrepreneurs. A private sector focus network to support the Africa Union Agenda 2063 and the successful implementation of the AfCFTA to achieve the Africa We Want.
Our Strategic Mandate/Pillars; Investment & Access to Funding, Access to Market & Scaling, Capacity Building & Networking Opportunities for startup founders and emerging SMEs across Africa.
Learn more about our workEmpowering Business and Investment in Africa
Accelerate Africa supports startups and SMEs to grow, scale, and compete across the continent by connecting them to markets, investment opportunities, and strategic partnerships. Through programmes aligned with Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA, we are driving innovation, enterprise development, and sustainable economic growth.
Explore our workWhat we offer
Our Flagship Programmes
Flagship programmeAASAP
Accelerate Africa Startup Acceleration Programme
A 6-month hybrid bootcamp for early-stage, growth-driven companies — mentorship, investor access, and market opportunities, ending in a Pitch and Demo Day.
Flagship programmeAAB
Accelerate Africa Bootcamp
A continental training bringing 100+ founders and SMEs together to sharpen business strategy, investment readiness, and AfCFTA opportunities.
Flagship programmeAAS
Accelerate Africa Summit
A 300-delegate summit uniting entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors to advance finance, industrialization, and digital transformation across Africa.
Flagship programmeASC
Africa Startup Congress
Africa’s premier startup gathering — 2,000+ delegates shaping the Africa Startup Act and Innovation Fund to accelerate job creation continent-wide.
Flagship programmeAAPC
The Accelerate Africa Pitch Competition
Sector-focused pitch competitions in agribusiness, tech, renewable energy, and creative industries — identifying and accelerating Africa’s highest-potential startups.
Flagship programmeAAA
Accelerate Africa Award
The Accelerate Africa Awards (AAA), “100 Accelerating Africa,” recognizes outstanding leaders whose work is creating lasting impact across the continent by building businesses, supporting entrepreneurs, creating jobs, and fostering sustainable development.
Our network
Our Network – Partners
Working alongside governments, international organizations, and the private sector to accelerate Africa’s startup ecosystem.
Who we are
Our Leadership Team
Meet the people driving Accelerate Africa's mission — guiding strategy, coordinating across regions, and delivering our programmes on the ground.
Advisory Board Members
Strategic guidance from experienced leaders shaping Accelerate Africa's direction and long-term vision.
Regional Coordinators
On-the-ground leadership connecting Accelerate Africa's mission across the continent's regions.
Operations Management
Day-to-day execution driving our flagship programmes, events, and partnerships forward.
Gilbert EwehmehCEO / Continental Coordinator
Clement YuyunMember of the Advisory Board
Mbuh Jude NkengMember of the Advisory Board
Hlengi Portia MasimulaMember of the Advisory Board
Duduzile ShinyaRegional Coordinator, Southern Africa
John Bosco KalisaRegional Coordinator, East Africa
Mavis Kazeh-AnfoRegional Coordinator, West Africa
Temban Joshua TembanBusiness Development Manager
Emmanuel NiyongaboOperations Manager
Fanoel DzevelaProject Management AssistantMain events
What’s Coming Up
Nº 01 / 0311–13Feb 2026
Bootcamp · Pitch & Demo Day
AASAP — Bootcamp, Pitch & Demo Day
A 3-day bootcamp for early-stage, growth-driven companies — mentorship, investor access, and a live Pitch & Demo Day.
Nº 02 / 03Mar–Nov2026
National selection round
Country / National Pitch Competition
National pitch rounds across the continent, selecting the top startups to compete at the Continental Pitch during ASC27.
Nº 03 / 0324–26Feb 2027
Continental congress
Africa Startup Congress (ASC)
Africa's premier startup gathering — 2,000+ delegates shaping the Africa Startup Act and Innovation Fund.
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