SAIS Livestock Investment Readiness Programme 2027 (up to €15,000)

Overview

The SAIS Livestock Investment Readiness Programme 2027 is a one-year, tailor-made support initiative designed for innovative African start-ups. The programme focuses on strengthening dairy and aquaculture value chains through technology-driven solutions, with an emphasis on animal nutrition and feed, genetics, animal health, and sustainable production. Priority areas include dairy value chains in Kenya and Ethiopia, and aquaculture value chains in Nigeria and Senegal, though start-ups based in other African countries are also encouraged to apply if their models offer relevant learnings for these priority chains.

Who can apply

Applicants must be for-profit enterprises registered in Africa with a management team of at least two people. Eligible ventures range from pre-seed through Series A stages and must have at least a minimum viable product, ideally featuring recurring revenue, paying customers, and established partnerships. Participating start-ups must use technology to scale and focus on strengthening value chains in dairy and aquaculture.

What you get

Participants receive a technical assistance budget of up to €15,000 for consultancies, expert support, legal advice, online marketing, licenses, certifications, ESG governance, product optimisation, market entry strategies, customer acquisition and sales campaigns, marketing and public relations, graphic design, and employee training. The package also includes fully sponsored trips to two in-person community events held back-to-back with the Sankalp Africa Summit in Nairobi in February of each year, plus one additional sector conference. Additionally, participants gain investment and partnership facilitation through invite-only pitch sessions with a curated network of investors, bespoke introductions to investors and funds, guidance on fundraising strategy and due diligence, and membership in a community of over 100 portfolio companies. Eligible start-ups may also access a SAIS Scale-up Grant of up to €40,000 and revolving working capital loans of up to €50,000 with a nine-month maturity at a 1.5 percent interest rate.

Key dates

The application deadline is November 15, 2026.