Announcement of the 2025 Call for Applications for the Africa Agri-food Development Programme
- Published on: 26 June 2025
- Last updated on: 26 June 2025
The Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Martin Heydon, and Minister of State for International Development and the Diaspora, Neale Richmond, today announced the 2025 call for applications for funding under the Africa Agri-Food Development Programme (AADP).
The AADP has been supporting Irish companies for over 12 years to realise their ambition of doing business and contributing to sustainable development in Africa. The Programme offers Irish and African Agri-food businesses the opportunity to receive matched grant funding of up to €100,000 for commercial feasibility studies, or €250,000 for joint commercial projects. The funding call is open until 15 August.
Minister Richmond said:
“The Africa Agri-food Development Programme is Ireland’s flagship initiative aimed at promoting the role of the private sector in sustainable food systems transformation and in the Sustainable Development Goals.
AADP funding supports Irish and African agri-food businesses to develop partnerships that exchange expertise and skills, develop solutions to local and sector-specific challenges, and to create and strengthen mutual trade and investment between Ireland and African countries.”
Minister Heydon said:
“Ireland’s agri-food sector has long demonstrated the values of innovation and partnership. Through the Africa Agri-food Development Programme, we support the sharing of Irish agri-food experience and expertise with African partner companies in a spirit of cooperation.
Joining forces with local companies in partner countries across Africa, Irish agri-food sector actors can help drive sustainable economic development, support decent livelihoods, and strengthen food systems. This collaboration reflects Ireland’s commitment to delivering locally led, impactful solutions in support of the Sustainable Development Goals.”
The closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm (Dublin time), 15 August 2025.
For further information on eligibility criteria, and to download the relevant AADP Application Form, visit AADP
For further queries, please email aadp@dfa.ie
Notes:
- A Government of Ireland initiative, the AADP is jointly managed by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM).
- Since 2012, the AADP has supported dozens of Irish companies to develop sustainable and rewarding commercial ventures through partnerships across the African continent, including in the development of agricultural value-chains, market testing animal and crop health products, sustainable horticulture, and dairy and cheese production.
- The substantial grants on offer help businesses to manage their financial risk and to use their expertise and resources to work on projects jointly with African companies to deliver significant positive impacts for local communities.
- Projects must be based in one of 19 eligible countries in Africa, must be commercial in nature and must deliver real, long-lasting benefits to local communities. All state funding must be matched by the Irish and/or African applicants with AADP funding limited to 50% of the total project costs.
- Up to €250,000 is available for full commercial projects, delivered jointly through partnerships between Irish and African businesses.
- Up to €100,000 is available for feasibility studies which test market opportunities and commercial concepts.