The World Resources Institute: 2022 Land Accelerator Program for young African Entrepreneurs

Application Deadline: March 31st, 2022

The World Resources Institute (WRI) has launched the 2022 Land Accelerator Program in Africa, the world’s first training and mentorship program targeted specifically toward businesses that restore degraded forests, farmland and pasture. To support the AFR100 Initiative’s goal of restoring 100 million hectares of land by 2030, the Land Accelerator provides entrepreneurs across Africa with mentorship and networking opportunities, technical training and workshops to build up their storytelling and pitching skills.

Participants leave the program more empowered to connect with potential investors so that they can take their business to the next stage of growth. The program has attracted nearly 1,400 applicants in Africa since 2018, and its 104 alumni from 34 countries report that they have created 11,200 jobs, worked with 56,000 farmers and restored 127,000 hectares.

The program is funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), DOEN Foundation and the Mitsubishi Corporation Fund for Europe and Africa.

Eligibility Criteria

• WRI welcomes applications from businesses based anywhere in sub-Saharan Africa.
• Applications must be written in either English or French.
• All entrepreneurs whose business model clearly centers around land restoration — through practices such as sustainable agriculture, reforestation and agroforestry — are invited to apply.

• By the end of the program, entrepreneurs accessed the trainings and tools that they needed to complete:
  • A compelling one-minute pitch to hook investors, customers and potential partners.
  • A 10 to 12 slide pitch deck targeted toward investors.
  • An environmental indicator measurement, management and marketing plan.
  • A three- to five-year financial model to visualize their growth projections and to identify capital needs.
  • Increased confidence in their business’s mission and operations.
• The top 100 entrepreneurs also had the opportunity to apply for a Land Accelerator investment pack, which an expert panel awarded to the top entrepreneurs.
• Recipients of the investment packs benefited from:
  • An innovation grant of $5,000 or more.
  • A coaching meeting with a Land Accelerator organizer to develop an investment and innovation grant plan.
  • A 90-minute group session with members of the Land Accelerator mentor network, who provided tailored feedback.
  • A one-on-one call with a Land Accelerator mentor to provide feedback and a thorough review of all the materials submitted throughout the program.
  • The opportunity to present a three-minute business pitch at the virtual Land Accelerator Impact Days, a two-day event that brings together the awardees and investors from across the continent.
  • The opportunity to meet fellow entrepreneurs in-person for a week-long bootcamp in Nairobi, Kenya and learn from both leading entrepreneurs and trainers.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the WRI 2022 Land Accelerator Program