Up to $30K in Grants for Agri-Businesses in Somali & Tigray: IGNITE Challenge 2.0 Now Open

Are you working on a tech or business solution that strengthens food systems in Ethiopia? The IGNITE Food Systems Innovation Challenge is seeking passionate innovators with ideas to address food security, agricultural sustainability, and climate challenges in the Somali and Tigray regions of Ethiopia. 

Back for its second round, IGNITE Challenge 2.0 supports agri-SMEs, cooperatives, and entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and direct linkages to WFP’s resilience programs. Ideal applicants should aim to improve agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and digitally connect producers to markets.

Benefit

• Up to $30,000 USD in grant funding
• Tailored technical support
• Access to markets and WFP partnership programs

Who Should Apply

• Agri-based SMEs, cooperatives, or startups
• Based in Somali or Tigray
• Committed to scalable, local impact
• Working in early to mid-stage business

The 2nd IGNITE Innovation Challenge is designed to empower private sector actors to develop and scale innovative solutions that address critical gaps in food systems and enhance climate resilience. Targeting Ethiopia’s Somali and Tigray regions, the program supports innovations in agricultural productivity, value addition, post-harvest management, digitalization, and market access.

Organized in partnership with the World Food Programme, iceaddis, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark, the program offers a platform for local entrepreneurs to showcase, refine, and expand their solutions while fostering cross-sector collaboration to co-create impactful responses to systemic challenges.