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.
Through strategic programmes, partnerships, and capacity-building initiatives, Accelerate Africa is building a resilient and competitive African private sector—contributing to the realization of “The Africa We Want.”
To accelerate Africa’s economic transformation and build a strong entrepreneurial ecosystem with focus on innovation, investment, and enterprise development towards industrialisation — creating sustainable jobs and inclusive prosperity across Africa.
Build an Africa where every entrepreneur has the opportunity, resources, and connections to build world-class businesses that transform lives and economies — and shape a future where Africa is recognized as the world’s fastest-growing hub for innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable investment.
Accelerate Africa fosters a dynamic and inclusive ecosystem that empowers startups, SMEs, and entrepreneurs to thrive across the continent. By connecting businesses to opportunities in investment, market access, and capacity development, the platform supports sustainable growth and long-term impact.
Through strategic partnerships and a strong focus on innovation, Accelerate Africa enables enterprises to scale beyond borders, leverage AfCFTA opportunities, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s economic transformation.
Flagship programmeA 6-month hybrid bootcamp for early-stage, growth-driven companies — mentorship, investor access, and market opportunities, ending in a Pitch and Demo Day.
Flagship programmeA continental training bringing 100+ founders and SMEs together to sharpen business strategy, investment readiness, and AfCFTA opportunities.
Flagship programmeA 300-delegate summit uniting entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors to advance finance, industrialization, and digital transformation across Africa.
Flagship programmeAfrica’s premier startup gathering — 2,000+ delegates shaping the Africa Startup Act and Innovation Fund to accelerate job creation continent-wide.
Flagship programmeSector-focused pitch competitions in agribusiness, tech, renewable energy, and creative industries — identifying and accelerating Africa’s highest-potential startups.
Flagship programmeThe 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.
Meet the people driving Accelerate Africa's mission — guiding strategy, coordinating across regions, and delivering our programmes on the ground.
Strategic guidance from experienced leaders shaping Accelerate Africa's direction and long-term vision.
On-the-ground leadership connecting Accelerate Africa's mission across the continent's regions.
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 AssistantNº 01 / 03A 3-day bootcamp for early-stage, growth-driven companies — mentorship, investor access, and a live Pitch & Demo Day.
Nº 02 / 03National pitch rounds across the continent, selecting the top startups to compete at the Continental Pitch during ASC27.
Nº 03 / 03Africa's premier startup gathering — 2,000+ delegates shaping the Africa Startup Act and Innovation Fund.
Founders and entrepreneurs who have grown with Accelerate Africa share their experience.
I was selected to represent Africa at the AIM Congress Global Pitch Competition to represent Africa for the Global pitch in Abu Dhabi in April 2025. But what really made the difference was the practical guidance and mentorship I received from Accelerate Africa’s Continental Coordinator, Mr. Gilbert Ewehmeh, He was very practical and it helped me understand my market better.
As a proud alumnus of the program, it was an honour to return; not as a participant this time, but as a speaker; to share the lessons I have gathered along my entrepreneurship journey. The successes. The failures. And the quiet, in-between seasons where resilience is built. My sincere appreciation to Accelerate Africa for continuously creating platforms that empower African entrepreneurs to build boldly and think expansively. Your commitment to ecosystem building does not go unnoticed. The intentionality behind the program, the quality of conversations, and the community it fosters are truly impactful.
On behalf of Ecliptix Reality, AASAP reshaped how we think and execute; Ideation, business model design, and pitch training sharpened our problem definition and strengthened how we position our XR education solution. Go-to-market, validation, and investment modules improved our traction strategy and financial discipline. The networking with fellow participants-built relationships beyond the programme. These connections have already opened collaboration pathways and new opportunities across markets. The Kigali bootcamp and demo week marked execution. We move forward with clearer strategy, stronger structure, and a defined path to scale XR for education across Africa.
Participation in the Accelerate Africa Startup Acceleration Programme (AASAP) Kigali Bootcamp significantly strengthened our strategic, financial, and operational frameworks at Vichew Legacy Clothing. The programme enhanced our investor readiness, valuation clarity, unit economics analysis, and structured growth planning aligned with scalable manufacturing principles.
Emerging as a Top 3 Innovator reinforced the competitiveness of Zambia’s creative manufacturing sector within the continental startup ecosystem. Post-AASAP, we have implemented stronger financial controls, refined our go-to-market strategy, improved KPI tracking, and aligned expansion plans with AfCFTA opportunities. The programme transitioned our growth approach from ambition-driven to data-driven execution.
Working alongside governments, international organizations, and the private sector to accelerate Africa’s startup ecosystem.
