Matched grants up to €250,000 are available for joint commercial projects between established Irish and African agri-food businesses. Each partner must contribute at least 50% of project costs.
Smaller feasibility studies, capped at €100,000, can be awarded either to a single organization or a partnership exploring new market opportunities.
Who Can Apply?
- Projects must involve a private-sector agricultural, food processing, or farming-focused business.
- Applicants must be legally registered in Ireland or one of the 19 eligible African countries (including Kenya, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, Uganda, South Africa, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone) for at least 12–24 months.
- Grants support commercial, revenue-generating projects with measurable benefits to both local communities and business partners.
Focus Areas & Goals
Funded projects should aim to:
- Strengthen agri-food value chains from farm to market.
- Promote sustainable practices, food safety, and animal/crop health.
- Encourage knowledge exchange between Irish and African partners.
- Support smallholder farmers, create jobs, and build market-ready local businesses
Timeline & Support
- The 2025–2026 AADP round is open now, with applications due mid-August 2025
- Info sessions are available online to help applicants navigate eligibility and funding criteria
- The programme is administered jointly by Ireland’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Department of Agriculture, Food, and the Marine
Why This Matters
- Encourages south–south and north–south collaboration, sharing Irish agri-food expertise in animal health, dairy, food safety, and sustainable practices
- Supports local value chain development, helping African SMEs access new markets and build more resilient agribusinesses.
- Drives sustainable development, enabling smallholder families to benefit from innovation and investment.
- Helps de-risk international ventures, making it easier for businesses to explore new markets in Africa.
For off-grid and rural entrepreneurs in Africa, this opportunity opens the door to international partnerships, technical know-how, and investment, creating stronger agribusiness ecosystems right where it matters most.
Interested? Explore the official AADP portal here
