A transformative opportunity has been unveiled for African startups as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Kenya’s Ministry of Information, Communications, and Digital Economy (MICDE) have officially launched the call for applications for the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub Accelerator Programme, based at Konza Technopolis, Kenya’s flagship smart city.
This accelerator programme will provide emerging startups from across all 54 African countries with mentorship, investment and partnership needed to scale high-impact innovations that can address Africa’s urgent energy needs.
Anthony Ngororano, Resident Representative, UNDP Kenya
With millions of Africans still lacking access to affordable and reliable electricity, the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub is designed to support startups developing groundbreaking solutions in renewable energy. The accelerator will help businesses scale technologies that reduce carbon emissions, enhance sustainability, and contribute to long-term economic growth across the continent.
The programme seeks startups working in the following critical areas: Energy Access Technologies, Digital Energy Solutions, Energy Efficiency, Low Carbon Technologies, Smart Grids, Energy Storage, Sustainable Mobility, and Innovative Business Models. Startups selected for the accelerator will receive access to global mentorship, technical support, funding, and valuable connections to a network of international investors.
The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub is part of a broader continent-wide initiative powered by UNDP, aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Over the next decade, the initiative aims to mobilize USD 1 billion to support 10,000 startups, scale over 1,000 of them, and impact 100 million lives across Africa over the next 10 years. The Hub is poised to unlock Africa’s green energy potential by connecting startups to pan-African climate financing opportunities. In addition to capital, participating startups will gain mentorship from global experts, advocacy support, and access to a dynamic investor network.
The timbuktoo GreenTech Hub aims to empower Africa’s youth by harnessing technology and innovation. The Hub will prioritise renewable energy, climate change adaptation and mitigation, and waste management technologies to drive the green industrialization agenda. The accelerator programme is the first offering for the timbuktoo GreenTech Hub, which is set to launch later this year.
