ADDIS ABABA, Ethiopia – The African Union has selected 30 innovative startups and small businesses to form the first cohort of its Food and Energy Sovereignty Challenge 2026.
The initiative aims to support African-made solutions that strengthen food security, energy independence and economic resilience across the continent.
Launched in May 2026, the challenge is led by the African Union Commission through several departments, including Economic Development, Agriculture, Infrastructure, Energy, Education, Science and Technology.
The selected companies, known as “Sovereignty Builders,” were chosen for their ability to transform local innovations into scalable solutions with continental impact. The challenge seeks to address growing concerns over global supply chain disruptions and Africa’s dependence on imported technologies, food products and energy resources.
According to the African Union, the initiative aligns with Agenda 2063 and is designed to bridge the gap between innovation and large-scale deployment. It connects promising African enterprises with governments, investors, financial institutions and industrial partners.
The Food Sovereignty Track features startups working in agricultural productivity, food processing, climate resilience, water management and smart farming. Several innovators are developing technologies that support indigenous crops, artificial intelligence-powered irrigation systems, pest detection tools and improved grain storage.
These solutions are expected to strengthen domestic food value chains and reduce dependence on imported agricultural inputs.
The Energy Sovereignty Track highlights African-owned solutions in renewable energy, smart grids, e-mobility, bioenergy and energy efficiency. Selected startups are developing technologies such as solar-powered systems, clean cooking fuels, electric mobility infrastructure and waste-to-energy innovations.
The African Union says these technologies demonstrate Africa’s growing capacity to build resilient energy systems while reducing reliance on imported hydrocarbons.
The 30 selected startups come from countries including Algeria, Benin, Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Mali, Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and others.
The innovators will participate in the upcoming African Business Summit, where they will engage with investors, development finance institutions, governments and industry leaders. They will also be featured in the Africa Food and Energy Sovereignty Catalogue 2026.
The African Union described the selected entrepreneurs as architects of Africa’s industrial future and a key force in advancing sustainable growth, economic resilience and strategic autonomy across the continent.
Ewe version