Are you part of an Irish agri-food business looking to expand into Africa through sustainable partnerships? Or are you an African business interested in partnering with an Irish company to develop innovative agri-food solutions? If yes, then the 2025 Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) is the perfect opportunity to make your vision a reality.
Funded by the Government of Ireland through the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM), the AADP supports partnerships between Irish and African companies to promote sustainable development in Africa’s agri-food sector.
What is the AADP?
The Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP) is a competitive grant programme that provides financial support to Irish-registered agri-food businesses that wish to establish commercial partnerships with African businesses. The goal is to create sustainable, inclusive, and scalable agri-food projects that benefit both Ireland and Africa while contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
AADP has been running successfully since 2012 and has helped numerous businesses launch impactful and commercially viable projects in sub-Saharan Africa.
Funding Opportunities
The programme provides two categories of grants:
1. Feasibility Study Grant
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Maximum Funding: €100,000
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Funding Coverage: Up to 50% of eligible project costs
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Purpose: To explore market potential, conduct research, and test project viability
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Ideal For: Early-stage ideas or first-time applicants
2. Full Commercial Project Grant
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Maximum Funding: €250,000
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Funding Coverage: Up to 50% of eligible project costs
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Purpose: To fully implement a joint agri-food project in Africa
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Requirement: Must have a clearly identified African partner at the time of application
Note: AADP will only fund 50% of the total project cost, so applicants must secure the remaining funding from other sources.
✅ Who Can Apply?
To be eligible, applicants must meet the following criteria:
For Irish Companies:
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Must be a registered agri-food business in Ireland
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Must be incorporated for at least 12 months before applying
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Must demonstrate financial sustainability and good corporate governance
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Must co-finance at least 50% of the project budget
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Must show a commitment to long-term partnerships in Africa
For African Partners:
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Must be a registered business operating in one of the eligible African countries
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Must demonstrate the capacity and expertise to implement the project
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Must co-apply alongside the Irish partner for Full Project Grant applications
Eligible African Countries
The programme is open to partnerships with businesses based in the following sub-Saharan African countries:
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Botswana
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Côte d’Ivoire
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Ethiopia
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Ghana
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Kenya
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Liberia
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Malawi
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Mozambique
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Namibia
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Nigeria
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Rwanda
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Senegal
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Sierra Leone
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South Africa
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Tanzania
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Uganda
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Zambia
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Zimbabwe
These countries are strategically selected based on Ireland’s development cooperation priorities and agri-business potential.
Application Deadline & Info Sessions
The 2025 application round is now open, and interested applicants must submit their proposals by:
️ Deadline: Thursday, 15 August 2025 at 5:00 PM (Dublin time)
To support applicants, the AADP team will host two virtual Information Sessions:
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Wednesday, 3 July 2025 at 3:00 PM (Dublin time)
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Wednesday, 24 July 2025 at 12:00 PM (Dublin time)
These sessions are a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about how the programme works.
How to Apply
To apply for the AADP grant:
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Contact the AADP Team: Email aadp@dfa.ie to request the official application forms.
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Identify Your Project Type: Choose between a Feasibility Study or Full Commercial Project.
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Find a Partner: For full projects, you must have a confirmed African partner.
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Prepare Your Proposal: Demonstrate commercial viability, sustainability, governance, and impact.
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Submit Before the Deadline: All applications must be submitted by 15 August 2025.
Real Success Stories
Here are some inspiring examples of projects funded by AADP:
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Devenish Nutrition (Ireland) partnered with a local business in Uganda to develop a model pig farm, which now supports over 500 farmers through training and market access.
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Blues Creamery (Ireland) launched an artisan cheese production hub in Rwanda, creating jobs and building tourism through sustainable food enterprise.
These examples show how AADP-funded projects can generate both economic growth and developmental impact.
Why You Should Apply
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Gain access to significant funding for your agri-business idea
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Build a long-term trade partnership between Ireland and Africa
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Drive sustainable agricultural development in your region
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Contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals
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Increase your business’ visibility, credibility, and impact
Need Support?
If you have any questions or need help with your application, don’t hesitate to reach out to the AADP team at aadp@dfa.ie or attend one of the scheduled information sessions.
Final Thoughts
The Ireland-Africa AgriFood Development Programme is a rare opportunity for agri-food businesses in Ireland and Africa to collaborate, innovate, and expand in ways that deliver real commercial and social benefits. With funding support of up to €250,000, now is the perfect time to turn your ideas into impactful agri-food ventures.
Start preparing your application today and be part of Africa’s agricultural transformation journey!
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