The Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) is an initiative by the Government of Ireland designed to empower agri-businesses across Africa and Ireland through strategic partnerships, innovation, and funding support.
The programme encourages private-sector collaborations between Irish and African agribusinesses, offering co-financed grants of up to €100,000 to fund sustainable and impactful projects that address key food system challenges across 19 eligible African countries.
✅ What AADP Offers
The AADP provides two categories of grant support:
🔹 Feasibility Study Grant
- Open to individual businesses or collaborative efforts exploring new agri-food business concepts or market opportunities in eligible African countries.
🔹 Full Commercial Project Grant
- Open to joint applications from African and Irish businesses
- Supports scalable, revenue-generating projects with strong social, environmental, and trade impact
- Designed to foster mutual trade and knowledge sharing between Ireland and Africa
🌱 Who Can Apply
Eligible businesses must:
- Operate within the agri-food sector
- Be registered in Ireland or one of the 19 eligible African countries for at least 2 years
- Be for-profit entities including:
- SMEs, cooperatives, farming networks
- Sole proprietors, companies, social enterprises, or partnerships
🌍 Eligible African Countries
Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
📋 Requirements for All Proposals
Applicants must clearly show:
- A commercial business model that supports sustainable agri-food systems
- How the project aligns with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Ireland’s A Better World policy
- That public funding is essential to unlock the opportunity
- Readiness for governance, financial control, fraud prevention, and accountability
- Plans for Ireland-Africa collaboration, knowledge exchange, and trade development
📎 Required Documents
Applications must include:
- Irish Tax Clearance Certificate (mandatory for all applicants)
- Detailed budget and timeline
- Project proposal with clear deliverables and impact metrics
- Collaboration and implementation plan
📝 Note: The Irish government does not provide matchmaking support for business partnerships. African applicants must source their Irish partners independently.
🚫 Activities Not Supported
AADP will not fund:
- Weapons, tobacco, alcohol, gambling, or fossil fuel-related businesses
- Projects leading to deforestation, animal cruelty, or violating environmental or human rights standards
- Any capital expenditure within Ireland unless explicitly approved
🕒 Deadline for Application: August 15, 2025
📌 Apply here: Visit the official application page
🌐 Why You Should Apply
- Access up to €100,000 in matched funding
- Collaborate with international partners
- Expand into new African markets
- Drive sustainable food system innovation
- Gain visibility and support from global stakeholders
