The Home-Grown Solutions Agribusiness Accelerator (HGSA-A) is a COMESA regional initiative implemented by AUDA-NEPAD, with funding from the Government of New Zealand through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT). It backs growth-stage, African-owned agribusinesses in COMESA member states. Applications close on 1 December 2026 at 11:00 PM, according to the application page. For founders running agri-processing or agri-trade firms with real revenue, it is a route to advisory support, regional market access and investors.
HGSA-A 2026/27 at a glance
| Application deadline | 1 December 2026, 11:00 PM (time zone not stated), as shown on the application page |
| Who can apply | Legally registered, operational, African-owned or led growth-stage agribusinesses in a COMESA member state |
| What the programme page lists | Advisory services, trade facilitation under AfCFTA, investment readiness, possible access to HGSA-A investment funding, partner matching |
| Selection | Technical eligibility, thematic innovation alignment (interviews), due diligence |
| Cost to apply | No application fee is mentioned |
| Apply at | auda-nepad.e4impactkenya.org |
Who can apply?
The programme page lists these criteria for applicant companies:
- Legally registered and operating in a COMESA member state.
- African-owned or African-led, at growth stage with a proven business model and annual turnover close to USD 100,000 (the page says this varies by country).
- Active in an inclusive, high-potential agribusiness value chain. Primary production is excluded.
- Potential to reach regional or international markets.
- Audited financial accounts for at least the last three years.
- A commitment to inclusion and green growth.
The programme gives strong preference to women-owned or women-led businesses (70%) and to youth-owned or youth-led businesses, meaning ages 18 to 35 (30%). The page does not name the target countries beyond “a COMESA member state”, so check the member list on the application site.
What does the accelerator offer?
- Context-specific advisory services for each business.
- Support with cross-border regulatory and trade facilitation under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
- Investment readiness and fundraising support.
- Potential access to HGSA-A investment funding. No amount is stated.
- Matching with strategic partners and post-acceleration support.
These benefits come from the programme page, which does not give figures or duration for the 2026/27 cohort.
How to apply
- Check that your company is registered and operating in a COMESA member state.
- Gather your audited accounts for the last three years.
- Apply through the official application page before 1 December 2026, 11:00 PM.
- Questions can go to the programme contact, leonard.ekea@e4impact.org.
Advice from the Africapreneurs team
- Start with the accounts. Three years of audited statements take time to prepare, and the page makes them a requirement.
- Show where your product moves through a value chain beyond primary farming. Primary production is excluded.
- Be ready to explain how your business serves women or young people, since the programme sets a 70% and 30% preference.
- Submit early. The page gives a closing hour but no time zone.
FAQ
Is farming itself eligible?
No. The page excludes primary production and targets agribusiness value chains.
Does the accelerator include funding?
The page lists potential access to HGSA-A investment funding after the programme. It states no amount.
Does it cost anything to apply?
No application fee is mentioned.
How are companies chosen?
In three stages: technical eligibility, thematic innovation alignment through interviews, and due diligence.
Sources
AUDA-NEPAD HGSA-A application page
