AI Startups: Apply Now to the Groundbreaking Compute Accelerator Program

Following the launch of the AI Hub for Sustainable Development on June 20, 2025, in Rome, applications for Compute Accelerator Programme has opened. It is a strategic initiative to empower African startups with the infrastructure, mentorship, and partnerships needed to scale AI-driven solutions. The initiative is supported by the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), in partnership with UNDP, the Government of Italy, and the European Union, as part of a collective effort to foster sustainable digital innovation across Africa.

Now accepting applications until August 15, 2025, the programme is calling on
AI startups and institutions to join this transformative opportunity.

A New Chapter in African Innovation

The Compute Accelerator Program will focus on equipping African innovators with the tools and support needed to thrive in a digital future—starting with access to compute power, which is essential for training and deploying AI systems.

The Program targets 14 countries: Algeria, Angola, Republic of Congo, Egypt, Ethiopia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Mauritania, Morocco, Mozambique, Senegal, Tanzania, and Tunisia. These nations represent high-impact regions where local innovators are ready to scale solutions aligned with population needs and national development goals.

Despite growing momentum, the African continent still faces a significant compute infrastructure gap. According to the Africa Green Compute Coalition’s forthcoming market analysis, demand for compute infrastructure—cloud services, servers, and AI workstations—is accelerating rapidly. The server market in Africa alone is projected to grow from $2.06 billion in 2024 to $3.28 billion by 2029, reflecting a CAGR of 9.75%. Notably, server capacity increased by 25.8% in 2024, underscoring the urgency to match supply with rising demand.

Compute Ready Track

This track is purpose-built for ventures that are ready to scale but face barriers related to infrastructure, technical expertise, and market access. Participants will benefit from tailored support to sharpen their AI solutions and expand into international markets.

• Who it’s for: 20 ventures with market-validated AI use cases and urgent compute needs
• Support: Cloud credits, CPU/GPU access, technical mentorship, data training, and AI talent acquisition
• Duration: 6 months (October 2025 – March 2026)
• Focus: Technical optimization and international scaling, including partnerships with Italian and G7 technology firms

Join Now: Info Session for Egyptian Startups

As part of Egypt’s commitment to advancing AI innovation across the continent, Egyptian startups are especially encouraged to apply and participate in the Program. To support your application, UNDP Egypt is hosting an online information session to walk you through the opportunity:

• Date: Monday, August 11, 2025
• Time: 4:00 PM Cairo Time
• Location: Zoom Meeting Link

This session will provide valuable guidance on how to apply and what to expect from the Program.

Key Program Objectives

• Expand access to AI infrastructure in underserved regions
• Support high-potential ventures in scaling AI-driven solutions
• Build a thriving AI ecosystem through mentorship and reinvestment
• Enable international partnerships, particularly between African and Italian/G7 innovators

Application Timeline

Why It Matters: Building Africa’s AI Foundations

Over the next three years, Africa’s demand for compute is expected to exceed 7 million GPU hours, translating to more than $152.5 million in infrastructure spending. As AI becomes critical to sectors like health, agriculture, finance, and education, the need for local innovators to access infrastructure, talent, and global markets is more urgent than ever.

The Compute Accelerator Program aims to fill this gap by offering integrated support and empowering African innovators to become global AI leaders—not just users of technology, but its builders.

Take the Lead in Africa’s AI Future

If you're an AI-focused startup or research institution in Egypt or one of the 14 priority countries, this is your moment. Join a select group of ventures shaping the continent’s digital future with the support of global partners, cutting-edge resources, and strategic mentorship. Apply by August 15, 2025, and take your innovation to the next level with the Compute Accelerator Program.