WFP- Impact Hub is currently accepting applications for its Kigali IGNITE Food Systems Challenge Rwanda for Food Systems Innovators 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About WFP- Impact Hub Kigali IGNITE Food Systems Challenge Rwanda for Food Systems Innovators
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) and Impact Hub Kigali (IHK), launched the fourth edition of the IGNITE Challenge. This initiative is part of the five-year partnership between World Food Programme and Mastercard Foundation which supports young women and men in building sustainable livelihoods in agriculture and agribusiness.
Benefits of WFP- Impact Hub Kigali IGNITE Food Systems Challenge Rwanda for Food Systems Innovators
-
Funding : Up to $24,000 in equity-free funding per venture
-
Acceleration support: 5 months of curated technical support, coaching and masterclasses to strengthen skills and business gaps.
-
Investment readiness + Demo Day: Structured investment and pitch preparation and exposure to the ecosystem through a Demo Day platform.
-
Market linkages + visibility: Connections to investors and key stakeholders, access to community events and collaboration opportunities with Farmer Service Centres (FSCs).
WFP- Impact Hub Kigali IGNITE Food Systems Challenge Rwanda for Food Systems Innovators Requirements
Requirements
- The program is looking for Startups, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), and cooperatives with commercially viable solutions to strengthen the food system and contribute to job creation and improvement, especially for young women.
While all food systems solutions are invited, solutions addressing the following areas along the agrifood value chain, and enabling young women to participate as entrepreneurs or employees, are particularly encouraged to apply:
Eligibility Criteria
All applicants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
- Business registration: Valid registration/certificate of incorporation and at least 2 years of operation in Rwanda
- Have proof of a revenue-generating business with proven market traction
- Be a team of at least three full-time members dedicated to the startup/SME/cooperative, including the founding team
- At least 50% of the founding and/or senior management team must be from Rwanda/East Africa
- The entity has to have existing key operations in Rwanda
- Be committed to support, provide mentorship and share learnings with peers and Farmer Service Centers (FSCs) participating in the program.
- Youth-led businesses, particularly those led by young women are especially encouraged to apply. A business is considered youth-led if the CEO/Managing Director or at least one founder is under 35 years of age at the time of application.
- A business is considered to be led by a young woman if a woman under 35 serves as CEO/Managing Director or holds significant decision-making authority as a founder.
Application Date and Process
- Click on the link to the application website to apply.
Application Deadline
04 April, 2026
Opportunity Application
View details of
WFP- Impact Hub Kigali IGNITE Food Systems Challenge Rwanda for Food Systems Innovators
Apply for WFP- Impact Hub Kigali IGNITE Food Systems Challenge Rwanda for Food Systems Innovators
🔍
