Agri-Food Development Programme 2025/2026 for Agri-Food Companies in Africa
Simple Guide for African and Irish Businesses
The Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) is a special program from Ireland that helps agri-food companies in Africa and Ireland work together. The goal is to support agri-food businesses and help them build better food systems in a way that is good for people and the planet.
This Agri-Food Development Programme gives companies in Africa and Ireland a chance to grow, trade, and share ideas. If your business is in the agri-food industry, this could be a big opportunity for you.
About the Agri-Food Development Programme
The Agri-Food Development Programme gives money through matched grants to help companies from Africa and Ireland work together. These grants help agri-food businesses start new projects, enter new markets, and build strong business partnerships.
This Agri-Food Development Programme is all about using smart ideas to make food systems better and stronger in Africa.
Who Can Apply? (Type of Business)
To apply for the Agri-Food Development Programme, your business must:
Be in the agri-food industry
Be registered in Ireland or one of the 19 African countries
Be running for at least 2 years
Eligible business types include:
Micro businesses or small businesses (SMEs)
Regular companies or one-person businesses (sole traders)
Cooperatives or farming groups
Partnerships or social enterprises
Registered commercial farming networks
Any other type of business in the agri-food field
Eligible African Countries
Your business must be in one of these 19 African countries:
🇧🇼 Botswana
🇨🇮 Côte d’Ivoire
🇪🇹 Ethiopia
🇬🇭 Ghana
🇰🇪 Kenya
🇱🇸 Lesotho
🇱🇷 Liberia
🇳🇦 Namibia
🇳🇬 Nigeria
🇲🇼 Malawi
🇲🇿 Mozambique
🇷🇼 Rwanda
🇸🇳 Senegal
🇸🇱 Sierra Leone
🇿🇦 South Africa
🇹🇿 Tanzania
🇺🇬 Uganda
🇿🇲 Zambia
🇿🇼 Zimbabwe
These are the only African countries where projects can be done for the Agri-Food Development Programme.
Proposal Requirements
To be accepted into the Agri-Food Development Programme, your project must:
Be for business and profit (commercial in nature)
Take place in at least one of the 19 African countries
Help with making food systems better and greener
Match the goals of Ireland’s development policy and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
Show why public money (grants) is needed to help the project succeed
Prove that your team has the experience and skills to complete the project
Show that your company has good money management and fraud prevention systems
Explain how your business will work together with a partner from Ireland or Africa
Help increase trade between Africa and Ireland
This Agri-Food Development Programme wants to support projects that make a big difference in African food systems.
Documents You Must Submit
To apply for the Agri-Food Development Programme, you must send:
An Irish Tax Clearance Certificate (even if you’re an African applicant)
A full project budget, showing all spending and where the money comes from
A project plan with the timeline and activities
A collaboration plan showing how African and Irish teams will work together
How to Apply
FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the Agri-Food Development Programme?
The Agri-Food Development Programme is a funding program from Ireland that helps African and Irish agri-food companies work together on business projects that improve food systems.
Q2: Who can apply for the programme?
Any agri-food company that has been running for at least two years in Ireland or one of the 19 selected African countries can apply.
Q3: What kind of projects can get funding?
Projects must help the food system become better and greener, and they must happen in one or more of the 19 African countries.
Q4: Is the program only for big companies?
No. The Agri-Food Development Programme is open to micro businesses, SMEs, cooperatives, and other types of agri-food businesses.
Q5: Do I need to have a partner in Ireland or Africa?
Yes. The Agri-Food Development Programme supports joint work between African and Irish companies to share skills and grow trade.
Don’t miss this chance to grow your agri-food business and help build stronger food systems in Africa!