Africa’s green economy is creating a growing demand for businesses that can turn environmental challenges into commercial opportunities. The expansion of the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge to seven African countries is expected to help meet that demand by connecting promising green SMEs with investors, networks and funding needed to scale their solutions. The initiative opens new pathways for entrepreneurs in Botswana, eSwatini, Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia, South Africa and Tanzania to transform locally developed innovations into businesses capable of creating jobs and attracting investment.
GreenCape and Westerwelle Startup Haus Mombasa, in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF), have opened applications for the expanded challenge, with entries closing on 30 June 2026.
The competition is designed to support small and medium enterprises developing commercially viable solutions in sectors including renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, sustainable mobility, water and wastewater management and the circular economy. Through the programme, participating businesses will gain access to investors, business incubators, policymakers and green economy experts who can help accelerate their growth.
Selected finalists will pitch their businesses before investors and judges at networking events in Nairobi and Cape Town in September 2026. Winners and finalists will compete for cash and in-kind prizes valued at approximately US$20,000, with the Southern Africa cash prize sponsored by RMB Ventures.
Khwezi Sogoni, Programme Manager at FNF, said the expansion of the challenge represents an important step in strengthening collaboration among green entrepreneurs across Africa.
“The expansion of the FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge beyond South Africa marks an exciting new chapter for green innovation on the continent,” said Sogoni.
He noted that the initiative is helping build a stronger cross-African ecosystem for entrepreneurs developing practical solutions to sustainability challenges while advancing regional collaboration and supporting market-driven approaches to Africa’s green future.
Creating Opportunities for Green Businesses
The challenge is open to green economy businesses that are already registered, actively trading and generating sales but are seeking funding to grow. By focusing on businesses that have moved beyond the start-up stage, the programme aims to support enterprises that have demonstrated market demand and are ready to scale their impact.
For many SMEs, access to finance and strategic networks remains a significant obstacle. The challenge seeks to address that gap by providing a platform where entrepreneurs can showcase their businesses directly to investors and industry stakeholders.
RMB Ventures, which has supported the initiative for several years, believes programmes such as GreenPitch play an important role in strengthening the region’s green economy.
“We are proud to continue our sponsorship of the GreenPitch challenge, which plays an important role in driving innovation across Southern Africa’s green economy,” said Ewan Gray of RMB Ventures.
Gray said the challenge has shown strong momentum over the past three years, with a growing pipeline of quality entries reflecting increasing awareness of opportunities within the sustainability sector. He added that supporting initiatives like GreenPitch remains central to the company’s commitment to creating lasting positive impact.
Beyond the prizes, participants gain exposure to potential funding partners, business development opportunities and industry expertise that can help position them for long-term growth.
Building a Stronger Green Economy Ecosystem
Partners behind the initiative believe the challenge can play an important role in strengthening Africa’s green business ecosystem by helping entrepreneurs access the resources needed to turn innovative ideas into sustainable enterprises.
Mercy Mukulu, Country Director of Westerwelle Foundation Kenya, said the programme offers entrepreneurs far more than a chance to compete.
“The FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge gives those entrepreneurs a stage and more than that, it connects them to the capital, networks and expertise they need to grow,” she said.
According to Mukulu, expanding the challenge into East Africa will create opportunities for innovators across the region while highlighting locally developed solutions to environmental and economic challenges.
GreenCape CEO Mike Mulcahy said SMEs remain central to job creation and economic growth across the continent.
“We are thrilled to contribute to building partnerships which showcase and elevate home-grown green economy solutions,” said Mulcahy.
He added that creating a supportive ecosystem around SMEs can accelerate the development of green jobs, attract investment and strengthen Africa’s transition towards a more sustainable economy.
The challenge aligns with GreenCape’s broader mission of driving the adoption of economically viable green economy solutions. The organisation works with businesses, investors, government and academia to unlock investment opportunities, support employment creation and advance the transition to a resilient green economy across Africa.
Applications for the 2026 FNF Afri GreenPitch Challenge opened on 29 May 2026. Finalists will be announced on 15 July, followed by a hybrid pitch preparation workshop in Cape Town on 5 August. The Southern Africa pitching event will take place on 3 September, while the East Africa event is scheduled for 25 September. Winners will be selected by a judging panel during the events.
