Green RISE Africa Fellowship 2026: Fully Funded Chance for Climate Entrepreneurs
Are you a climate entrepreneur in Africa ready to scale your impact? The Green RISE Africa Fellowship 2026 offers a fully funded chance to build leadership skills and grow your business. This program from Acumen Academy targets leaders in East and West Africa who tackle climate change and poverty through green enterprises.
About the Opportunity
The Green RISE Africa Fellowship stands for Resilient Impact through Sustainable Entrepreneurship. It is a six-month hybrid program that helps entrepreneurs strengthen their leadership and scale climate-aligned businesses. Participants stay in their current jobs while joining virtual sessions, in-person events, and peer groups.
This fellowship stresses moral leadership. It teaches values, mindset, and decision skills for long-term impact. The focus is on creating dignified work, especially for women and youth in underserved areas.
East Africa vs. West Africa Tracks
The program runs in two tracks to fit regional needs.
West Africa Fellowship
This track supports entrepreneurs who create green jobs for young rural women and youth. It includes in-person sessions in Nigeria and connections with peers across the region. The goal is enterprises based on dignity, equity, and steady growth.
East Africa Fellowship
Open to people in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, Burundi, South Sudan, and Somalia. It builds strong climate business models and community resilience. Fellows join in-person events in Kenya and tap into local and global experts.
Why the Fellowship Matters
Africa faces high climate risks but leads in green ideas like renewable energy, farming, and waste solutions. Entrepreneurs often struggle to grow. The Green RISE Africa Fellowship 2026 fills this gap with leadership training and business tools.
It helps navigate tough issues, work with partners, and set up systems for environment and social good. The community built during the program leads to ongoing teamwork and partnerships.
Benefits for Participants
Fellows get a full package at no cost. Key gains include a six-month leadership program and access to Acumen’s global alumni network, The Foundry, with over 2,000 members. Training covers adaptive leadership, storytelling, and inclusive strategies.
Other perks are virtual sessions, in-person immersives, mentorship, peer learning, and a lasting climate community. Some may find future funding to expand their work.
Program Structure
The setup is flexible at about 10 hours per month. It features a three-day virtual orientation, a two-day virtual workshop, and two five-day in-person immersives. Monthly cohort sessions, learning labs, self-paced tasks, and one-on-one help round it out.
This lets fellows apply lessons right away to their enterprises.
Who Can Apply
You qualify if you build or lead a green enterprise with inclusive economic chances. Show commitment to climate and poverty fixes, plus leadership potential and clear impact vision. Base must be in eligible East or West African countries.
Application Steps and Dates
Start by checking the Applicant Toolkit. Online applications open May 11, 2026. Shortlisted candidates join a Selection Conference June 4-6, 2026. The fellowship begins in July 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Green RISE Africa Fellowship?
It is a six-month hybrid program that builds leadership skills and helps scale climate-aligned businesses for entrepreneurs in East and West Africa. Participants join virtual sessions, in-person events, and peer groups while keeping their jobs.
Who can apply for the fellowship?
You qualify if you lead or build a green enterprise in eligible East or West African countries, with a focus on climate solutions, poverty reduction, and inclusive opportunities. Show strong leadership potential and a clear vision for impact.
What are the main benefits?
Fellows get free access to leadership training, mentorship, peer learning, in-person immersives, and Acumen’s global network. Some may also find future funding opportunities.
When does the application process start?
Online applications open on May 11, 2026, with a Selection Conference for shortlisted candidates on June 4-6, 2026. The fellowship begins in July 2026.