Applications are now open for the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge. Westerwelle Startup Haus Mombasa and GreenCape, in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation (FNF), invite innovators and entrepreneurs with economically viable green economy solutions to enter the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge. This exciting Afri edition expands the original GreenPitch Challenge, running annually since 2017 in South Africa, into Southern and East Africa.
Enter your pre-growth (registered, trading and sales-generating – looking for funding) green business solution to stand a chance of pitching to a panel of esteemed judges and investors at « shark tank-style” networking events, to be hosted in Kenya (Nairobi) and South Africa (Cape Town) in September 2026.
Eligibility Requirements
Innovators and entrepreneurs with economically viable green economy business solutions in the following sectors: Circular economy and waste, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, sustainable mobility, water and wastewater.
The business idea has to be pre-growth (registered and trading, with sales – looking for series A funding).
Entry Requirements
Sectors
Your green economy solution should be placed in one of the following green economy sectors: Circular economy and waste, renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, sustainable mobility, water and wastewater.
Business phase
Your green economy solution needs to be in at least the pre-growth (registered, trading and sales-generating – looking for funding) phase.
Geographic location
Your business can be based within the following countries:
Botswana
eSwatini
Kenya
Lesotho
Namibia
South Africa
Tanzania
Benefits
The winner and finalists of the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge will be awarded a range of cash and in-kind prizes to the value of ~$20 000 (Southern Africa).
Competition prizes
The winner and finalists of the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge will be awarded a range of cash and in-kind prizes to the value of ~$20 000. These will include but are not limited to:
Cash prize (Winner)
A full-day workshop to all finalists on investment strategies hosted by RMB Ventures (All finalists).
Mentoring support
Access to a network of potential funders to accelerate your business idea.
Timeline
Entries open: 29 May 2026
Entries close: 30 June 2026
Finalists announced: 15 July 2026
Pitch prep workshop: 5 August 2026 (Cape Town, hybrid)
Pitching event (Southern Africa): 3 September 2026
Pitching event (East Africa): 25 September 2026
Method of Application
For More Information,
Visit the Official Webpage
Application Deadline: 30 June 2026.