Program Overview: The Land Accelerator Africa

In 2024, the World Resources Institute (WRI) and its partners at Fledge, Barka, and AUDA-NEPAD are continuing to grow a network of land restoration entrepreneurs in Africa by selecting 100 entrepreneurs from across the continent to join a virtual business accelerator created specifically for entrepreneurs who are restoring degraded farmland, forests, and pastures. Land Accelerator training sessions are designed to help restoration entrepreneurs scale their businesses, prepare for investment, and further their impact on land and livelihoods.

The Land Accelerator Africa cohort is comprised of entrepreneurs bringing solutions to land degradation from every angle. Companies are based across the African continent and at least 50% are led by female and/or youth founders. The Land Accelerator Africa will select 100 companies (the Top 100 cohort) operating in any of the AFR100 initiative countries to participate.

This year, the program is expanding to offer Land Accelerator Landscapes, with cohorts localized to companies operating in Kenya’s Greater Rift Valley, the Ghana Cocoa Belt and the Lake Kivu & Rusizi River Basin of Burundi, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Rwanda. Sixty companies will be selected in each of the three landscapes. Check eligibility and learn more here. 

Why Participate? 

Accepted cohort participants will receive access to: 

• 3 months of weekly live virtual trainings
• Templates to create content to help your business thrive
• Weekly training sessions with investment and restoration business experts who will lend their expertise to discuss how to integrate new concepts and tools into your business strategy.
• Networking with an innovative cohort of entrepreneurs working to further the land restoration movement across Africa
• Opportunity to earn the title “Restoration Champion” and a certificate upon completion of the program
• Opportunity to receive an innovation grant upon completion of Land Accelerator program requirements. Grant availability and amount will be announced to the accepted cohort upon finalization of funding procedures for the 2024 cohort year

By the end of the program, entrepreneurs will receive training and tools needed to complete: 

• A compelling one-minute pitch to hook investors, customers, and potential partners
• A 10-12 slide pitch deck targeted towards investors
• An environmental indicator measurement, management, and marketing plan
• A 3-5-year financial model to visualize growth projections and to identify capital needs
• A gender analysis to further equity within your company and community
• A business website and video
• Increased confidence in your business’s mission and operations

Additionally, Land Accelerator Africa participants will have the opportunity to apply for the Land Accelerator Africa Phase 2, which will select 15 top companies to receive additional opportunities for mentorship and investment readiness including: 

• A 90-minute group mentorship session with members of the Land Accelerator mentor network who will provide tailored feedback and suggestions to further develop your business.
• An investment coaching meeting with a Land Accelerator organizer to develop your investment and innovation grant plan.
• An invitation to attend the in-person Land Accelerator Africa Workshop and Demo Day. The Land Accelerator Africa workshop will occur in Accra, Ghana in October 2024. 
• An opportunity to receive grant funding or an investment from the Land Accelerator and TerraFund, depending on the availability of funds.

How to Apply and Learn More

We encourage all eligible land restoration entrepreneurs to apply, free of charge. Click below to access the application for all Land Accelerator opportunities on TerraMatch. Applications must be submitted through TerraMatch, no exceptions. 

Apply for all Land Accelerator Africa opportunities on TerraMatch by March 20, 2024. The deadline to complete started applications is March 27.