United Nations Economic Commission For Africa (UNECA) Grant For Businesses, Ideas & Startups

Eligibility Criteria

Participants must be between the ages of 16 – 65 and should have a valid national means of identification.

Programme Structure

B.I.S Grant aims to empower Africans to thrive in a daunting economy by equipping them with financing, training and mentorship.

The process to acquire our grant is categorized into three stages.

• Application StageFirstly, applicants shall apply via the online form below. Within 4-5 working days, an applicant should receive a positive or negative feedback from the assessment team.
• Interview StageApplicants who receive positive feedbacks shall have a virtual interview with a United Nations assessment representative. Within 48-72 hours, the interview result should be disclosed.
• Verification StageFinalist shall go through a process of thorough verification before any disbursement can be initiated.

What We’re Looking Out For

Criteria used in evaluating applications and awarding grants include:

• Financials: How our grant funds would really contribute to the growth of your idea, startup or business.
• Integrity: Your application should be filled with accurate information as we often verify applicant claims.
• Team: Explain why you or your team (if any) is best equipped to execute your idea, startup or business.
• Broader Impact: During the interview, share how our grant funds would impact your society at large.

Must-Have Requirements

• Age: Applicant must be above the age of 16 years and below 65 years.
• Citizenship: Applicant must be a bona fide citizen of an African country.
• Education: Applicant must have at least completed secondary or high school education.
• Conferencing Tool: Applicant must have a close-by device to initiate a video conferencing call.

Offered Benefits

Whether it’s just an idea or an established business, our programme is structured to assist you access funds.

• Target AudienceCitizens from 54 member countries of the African Union.
• Grant Prize5,000 participants would be selected to receive a grant of $25,000 in cash and $10,000 in training.

Application Process

• Activities concerning B.I.S. should be submitted online through the application portal.
• Click the ‘APPLY NOW’ button below.
• Choose between ‘Inceptor’ and ‘Custodian’. An inceptor describes a person who has an idea, concept or plan but is yet to execute it into business. A custodian describes a person who manages an existing startup or business.
• Fill the form accurately and expect a feedback within 4-5 working days.
• Participants with positive feedback should make adequate preparations for an online interview.