Telecommunications giant MTN has unveiled a major accelerator program aimed at fast-tracking Africa’s next wave of high-impact startups. The MTN Cloud Accelerator a 12-week innovation sprint is now accepting applications from African tech startups, offering over ₦100 million (~$1.1 million USD) in non-dilutive grants, cloud access, mentorship and direct integration into MTN’s vast product ecosystem.
Dubbed “For Africa, From Africa. Powered by MTN Cloud,” the initiative seeks to catalyze growth for startups solving African problems in fintech, healthtech, agri-tech, cybersecurity and other critical sectors.
Applications are open until September 6, 2025. The selected cohort will be announced on September 1, with the program running through December and culminating in a high-profile Demo Day on November 18, 2025, in Lagos.
“This is about enabling African founders to scale solutions for African realities not just with funding, but with infrastructure, mentorship and real go-to-market support,” said Darel Uche, MTN’s Group Head of Digital Platforms.
Targeting growth-stage startups with existing MVPs or live products, the program promises much more than capital. Each selected startup will receive ₦5 million in grant funding, access to MTN’s APIs (including Cloud, MoMo and Chenosis), sales and product support from MTN teams and technical advisory throughout the journey.
Startups will also benefit from:
- 1-on-1 mentorship with industry leaders
- Warm introductions to venture capitalists
- Investor pitch coaching and Demo Day visibility
- Post-program access to MTN pilots, commercial partnerships and acquisition readiness support
Importantly, MTN will not take equity in participating companies a move that underscores its commitment to supporting innovation without compromising founder ownership.
The program is intentionally geared toward startups tackling real African challenges particularly those serving rural or underserved communities. With strategic interest in sectors like digital payments, edtech, cybersecurity, AI and e-commerce, MTN is placing a bold bet on homegrown innovation to address the continent’s persistent gaps in infrastructure and service delivery.
“We’re not just backing businesses. We’re backing solutions that could define Africa’s digital future,” said Ifeoma Nwosu, Program Director of MTN Cloud Accelerator.
Participation is free for selected startups, with only two weeks of in-person engagement required in Lagos at the kickoff and the final Demo Day. All other sessions are virtual, ensuring pan-African inclusivity.
The call is open to all qualifying African startups MTN customers or not. MTN clarified that while it is not investing for equity, it remains open to post-program collaborations, including pilot opportunities and commercial integrations. Visit https://mtnaccelerate.com/mtn-cloud-accelerator/apply/
