The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged Nigerian entrepreneurs, innovators and startup businesses to apply for the 2026 AfCFTA Startup Acceleration and Partnership Programme launched by the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat in collaboration with the Government of the Republic of Korea and the Korea-Africa Foundation.
Key Highlights:
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged Nigerian startups to apply for the 2026 AfCFTA-Korea acceleration programme.
- The initiative is organised by the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat with support from South Korea.
- About 30 African startups in fintech, logistics, manufacturing, and agriculture will be selected.
- Participants will receive mentorship, business support, and investment networking opportunities in South Korea.
- Applications close on May 31, 2026.
The ministry disclosed this in a statement issued on Tuesday by its spokesperson, Kimiebi Ebienfa.
According to the statement, the initiative is aimed at strengthening economic cooperation, trade, innovation and private-sector collaboration between African countries and South Korea under the framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
The ministry explained that about 30 startups from across Africa operating in sectors such as fintech, digital commerce, logistics, manufacturing and agricultural value chains would be selected for the programme.
Read Also:
- FG, NNPCL complicit in Niger Delta ecological destruction, says environmental activist
- FG launches tax ombud platforms to resolve tax disputes free of charge
- Court hears N-Power beneficiaries’ case against FG on Tuesday
Successful applicants are expected to benefit from business acceleration support, mentorship opportunities, capacity-building initiatives, market exposure and investment networking opportunities in South Korea.
The ministry encouraged qualified Nigerian startups with scalable and innovative business ideas to take advantage of the programme to expand commercial engagement between Africa and Korea, while promoting sustainable economic growth.
Interested applicants were advised to visit the official AfCFTA Secretariat website for application procedures, programme guidelines and eligibility requirements.
The ministry stated that applications for the programme will close on May 31, 2026.
It also reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to supporting continental economic integration, entrepreneurship, innovation and international partnerships aimed at advancing national and regional development.



