Innovate for Africa's Climate Future
The In-country YouthADAPT Challenge is calling on younth-led MSMEs and innovators to drive climate adaptation and resilience across Africa.
Climate Adaptation Needs
Africa is on the frontlines of climate change. From erratic weather disrupting agriculture to floods damaging critical infrastructure, the impacts are being felt across sectors—threatening livelihoods, mobility, and food security. We are calling on younth-led MSMEs to bring forward innovative, scalable, and locally relevant solutions that strengthen the country's resilience to climate shocks. This Call for Solutions seeks bold ideas that address pressing adaptation needs in agriculture and infrastructure, in five countries with a focus on digital tools, green technologies, and community-driven models.
Challenge Statement: Climate Adaptation Solutions for Ghana's Tree Crop Sector
Ghana's key agricultural value chains—cocoa, cashew, shea, coconut, oil palm, mango, and rubber—are increasingly vulnerable to climate change. Rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns, water stress, and shifting ecological zones threaten crop productivity and rural livelihoods. We are calling on younth-led MSMEs, agri-tech innovators, and MSMEs to design and scale climate adaptation solutions that respond to crop-specific climate risks and unlock new agricultural opportunities.
In the Agriculture Sector, we seek solutions in:
- Incremental Adaptation Measures: Support water conservation techniques, canopy management, and other practices to strengthen resilience in vulnerable crop zones.
- Systemic Resilience Strategies: Enable agroforestry systems, climate-resilient irrigation, and the adoption of improved crop varieties to support long-term adaptation.
- Transformational Change: Facilitate livelihood transitions and crop diversification in regions where traditional agriculture is no longer viable due to climate pressures.
- Rainwater Harvesting: Build and deploy harvesting systems to capture and store water for use during dry periods.
- Efficient Irrigation Services: Offer drip and basin irrigation solutions that optimize water use and improve soil moisture retention for tree crops.
- Adaptive Drainage Systems: Design drainage infrastructure for waterlogged zones and smart irrigation solutions for regions experiencing increased aridity.
- Drought-Resistant Varieties: Develop and distribute site-specific, climate-resilient crop germplasm tailored to future weather patterns.
- Climate-Informed Planting: Create adaptive planting calendars and systems responsive to shifting growing seasons and temperature variability.
- Early Warning and Training Platforms: Build Early Warning Systems (EWS) and deliver farmer education programs to prepare for floods, droughts, and extreme weather events.
- Localized Decision Support: Provide hyper-local weather forecasts, digital advisory tools, and decision-support platforms to help farmers make climate-smart choices.
What You'll Get
The In-Country YouthADAPT Challenge offers comprehensive support to transform your climate innovation from concept to market-ready solution with measurable impact.
Innovation Support
Up to $30,000 in funding plus dedicated mentorship from industry experts to develop and scale your climate solution.
Dragon's Den Pitch Event
Exclusive platform to present your solution to investors, partners, and stakeholders in a high-visibility national event.
Accelerated Growth
12-month comprehensive program with workshops, technical assistance, and milestone-based support to fast-track your growth.
Networking Opportunities
Access to exclusive investor networks, partnership opportunities, and connections with fellow climate entrepreneurs across Africa.
Investment Connections
Direct access to our partner investor network and opportunities for follow-on funding to scale your impact.
Scale-Up Support
Comprehensive scaling assistance including strategic partnerships, market expansion guidance, and access to follow-on investment opportunities.
Who Can Apply?
We're looking for innovative solutions that build resilience to climate change impacts. Here's what you need to qualify, with priority given to entrepreneurs from our focus countries.
Age Requirement
Entrepreneurs must be between 18-35 years old at the time of application.
Business Registration
Your business must be legally registered to operate in an African country.
Revenue Generation
Business must have generated revenues over a minimum two-year period.
Business Plan
Must have a SMART business plan for your climate adaptation solution.
Impact Focus
Business must demonstrate direct impact in food security or infrastructure.
Eligible Countries
While applications are welcome from across Africa, preference will be given to entrepreneurs from these strategic countries driving climate innovation.
Ghana
Kenya
Nigeria
Rwanda
Tanzania
If you meet these criteria and have a climate adaptation solution focused on food security or infrastructure, we'd love to hear from you.
Start Your ApplicationPrepare for Your Application
Get ready for success! Here's exactly what you'll need to complete your application. Prepare your responses in advance to make the process smooth and efficient.
African Adaptation Acceleration Program
This challenge is part of the African Adaptation Acceleration Program, a joint initiative between the Global Center on Adaptation, the African Development Bank and the African Union. The AAAP goal is to increase climate finance for Africa by mobilizing $25 billion to scale up innovative and transformative actions on climate change adaptation across Africa.
Youth Entrepreneurship and Adaptation Jobs
As one of the four key pillars of the AAAP, the youth entrepreneurship and adaptation jobs program is aiming to unlock the untapped potential of young people in Africa to drive climate resilience and green enterprises by empowering young entrepreneurs and scaling their adaptation business in Africa.
Got Questions?
We Have Answers
Find answers to the most common questions about the In-Country YouthADAPT Solutions Challenge. Can't find what you're looking for? Contact our team directly.
The In-Country YouthADAPT Solutions Challenge is a comprehensive program designed to identify, support, and accelerate promising youth-led climate adaptation solutions across Africa. We provide funding, mentorship, and resources to help entrepreneurs scale their impact in food security and infrastructure.
Entrepreneurs aged 18-35 with legally registered businesses in one of our 5 focus countries are eligible: Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ghana, and Nigeria. Your business must have generated revenue for at least two years and focus on climate adaptation solutions in food security or infrastructure.
Selected participants receive comprehensive support including financial funding, one-on-one mentorship from industry experts, access to our network of investors and partners, technical assistance, and opportunities to showcase their solutions at international events.
We provide grants of up to $30,000. The exact amount depends on your business plan and growth potential. Additional investment opportunities may be available through our partner network.
We specifically focus on climate adaptation solutions in two key sectors: food security (including agriculture, aquaculture, and food processing) and infrastructure (including water management, renewable energy, and climate-resilient construction).
The In-Country YouthADAPT Solutions Challenge is a 12-month program with intensive support in the first 6 months, followed by continued mentorship and network access. The program includes workshops, one-on-one sessions, and milestone-based funding releases.
The application process involves submitting an online application with your business plan, financial statements, and impact metrics. This is followed by a review process, virtual interviews, and final selection. The entire process takes approximately 8-10 weeks.
Still have questions? Our team is here to help you navigate the application process.