Askya Launches Free AI Growth Programme for African Startups

African venture capital firm Askya Investment Partners has launched a new programme designed to help promising African artificial intelligence startups move from early traction to sustainable growth.

Called the Askya AI Growth Platform, the six-week hybrid programme will select 10 AI-focused startups from across Africa, with participating companies receiving support at no cost and without giving up equity.

The programme was unveiled at the Deep Learning Indaba 2026 at Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos and is being delivered in partnership with Magna Collective.

For selected founders, the programme will combine practical business support with access to the resources needed to scale.

Participants will receive masterclasses, one-on-one coaching and company-building support covering areas including technology, product development, governance and distribution. They will also gain access to cloud and computing resources, potential corporate customers and talent networks.

Askya says the programme is designed for startups from pre-seed to Series A that already have a live product and demonstrated customer demand.

The initiative also comes with a potential investment opportunity. While founders do not give up equity simply to participate, selected startups may be considered for up to $200,000 in investment from Askya’s funds.

The inaugural cohort will be honorarily chaired by Tosin Eniolorunda, Founder and Group CEO of Moniepoint.

Eniolorunda’s involvement brings an experienced African technology founder into a programme focused on building the continent’s next generation of technology companies.

Askya Founder and Managing Partner Babacar Seck said Africa has an opportunity to become a producer of AI technology rather than simply an importer, arguing that local founders need stronger access to infrastructure, distribution and the experience of successful operators.

The programme is also built around a practical outcome: helping founders get closer to customers and commercial deals rather than focusing only on fundraising.

According to Askya, the programme will run from October 26 to December 4, 2026, with the inaugural cohort set to be publicly revealed at Moonshot by TechCabal in Lagos.

Applications are open until September 30, 2026.

With artificial intelligence increasingly becoming part of Africa’s economic development conversation, Askya is betting that the continent’s next big technology companies will not simply come from importing global solutions — but from African founders building solutions for African problems and, eventually, global markets.