ESTDEV and Civitta launch digital and green innovation business accelerators for African startups

The accelerator programme is part of ESTDEV's activities within the Digital and Green Innovation Action, which falls under the framework of Team Europe’s Twin Transition Initiative in Africa. The programme will support the development of the green technology sector in Africa by strengthening innovation ecosystems and empowering local startups. 

Civitta will run the two business accelerators in Eastern and Southern Africa for up to 50 African startups working in the digital and green technology sector. The accelerators will support their growth, assist with finding investors and provide guidance for entering new markets. 

"Our experience shows that the greatest startup success stories are born when international knowledge and the local ecosystem work hand in hand," said Harri Tallinn, a partner at Civitta and co-founder of Challenger Accelerator. “Collaboration between Estonian companies and local partners is key to creating an environment where ambitious teams can grow into companies with global impact. That is why, from the very beginning of the programme, we have set a goal to collaborate with experienced local startup ecosystem leaders, such as GrowthAfrica and mLab from Africa and Latitude59 and Startup Wise Guys from Estonia.” 

The top programme participants will also receive additional support, as at least six outstanding startups will receive a share of a minimum 30,000-euro prize fund and have the opportunity to present their ideas to European investors at the Latitude59 conference in Estonia in May 2026. 

"Estonia is a global leader in creating a favourable environment for micro and small businesses and promoting local innovation to solve global challenges. Team Europe’s Digital and Green Innovation Action offers a unique opportunity to share this experience with other countries and regions. We are pleased to start in Africa, where the hunger for entrepreneurship and innovation is unprecedented," said Katrin Winter, ESTDEV’s regional head for Africa. 

The larger goal of the project is to create a platform where African startups and Estonian companies can develop new cooperation models, exchange experiences, develop skills, and build connections between investors and reliable partners. 

"From a development cooperation perspective, this means that we invest in the process of co-creating partnerships. We design programmes with locals to meet real needs, we provide mentoring and business development incubators, and we support the first steps of African startups in entering the market. If these projects are successful, they will hopefully lead to further, commercial forms of cooperation that will have a high impact and economic benefit for both African countries and Estonia," said Kristel Rillo, the Entrepreneurship and Innovation advisor at ESTDEV. 

In addition to climate issues, Team Europe’s Digital and Green Innovation Action focuses on digital cooperation, which is one of the main objectives of Estonian development cooperation in Africa. Through procurements organised by ESTDEV, Estonian organisations can participate in the activities of the joint initiative, share their experiences in creating innovative digital solutions, and collaborate with African partners in developing digital services and building digital skills and competencies. 

The Twin Transition Initiative is co-funded by Team Europe partners (Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and Estonia) and the European Commission.