Fully Sponsored Regional Capacity Building Programme on Digital Trade, E-Commerce & Entrepreneurship Across East Africa
The Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) has officially opened applications for the IGAD In-Country Training and Mentorship Programme 2026. This fully sponsored initiative is designed to equip women and youth-led MSMEs with practical skills in digital trade, e-commerce, digital marketing, financial inclusion, and cross-border business expansion.
Selected participants will receive expert-led training, mentorship, networking opportunities, and exposure to AfCFTA market opportunities across East Africa.
Quick Highlights
Particulars
Details
Programme Name
IGAD Digital Trade Training & Mentorship Programme 2026
Organizer
IGAD
Funding Type
Fully Sponsored
Programme Format
Hybrid (Offline + Online)
Target Group
Women & Youth MSMEs
Programme Duration
July – December 2026
Application Deadline
13 June 2026
Region
IGAD Member States
Opportunity Overview
Particulars
Details
Host Organization
IGAD
Project
HDMI Project – Phase I
Training Methodology
GALS Framework
Participation Cost
Free of Cost
Mentorship Support
Included
Regional Focus
East Africa & Horn of Africa
Why This Programme Matters
Africa's digital economy is growing rapidly, but many entrepreneurs still face barriers such as:
Limited digital literacy
Financial exclusion
Lack of access to online marketplaces
Weak digital marketing knowledge
Limited understanding of cross-border trade
This programme directly addresses these challenges through practical training and mentorship.
Important Dates
Event
Date
Applications Open
Open Now
Application Deadline
13 June 2026
Programme Start
July 2026
Programme End
December 2026
Important: Apply as early as possible. Late submissions may not be considered.
Training Locations
Country
City
Djibouti
Djibouti City
Ethiopia
Addis Ababa
Kenya
Nairobi
Somalia
Mogadishu
South Sudan
Juba
Sudan
Port Sudan
Uganda
Kampala
What Participants Will Learn
Digital Financial Services
Mobile Money
Digital Payments
Online Transactions
Financial Inclusion Tools
E-Commerce & Online Business
Online Selling
Marketplace Participation
Customer Acquisition
Digital Business Models
Digital Marketing
Social Media Marketing
Branding
Content Marketing
Customer Engagement
Cross-Border Trade
AfCFTA Opportunities
Export Readiness
Regional Market Access
Cross-Border E-Commerce
Benefits of the Programme
Benefit
Details
Fully Sponsored
No participation fee
Expert Mentorship
Continued post-training support
Networking
Connect with entrepreneurs across Africa
Digital Skills
Learn practical business tools
Regional Exposure
Access wider African markets
Business Growth
Scale operations digitally
Eligibility Criteria
Requirement
Details
Applicant Category
Women or Youth Entrepreneurs
MSME Ownership
Required
Business License
Required
Digital Trade Interest
Required
Workshop Attendance
Mandatory
Mentorship Participation
Mandatory
Note: Priority will be given to women entrepreneurs.
The IGAD Digital Trade Training & Mentorship Programme 2026 is one of the strongest digital entrepreneurship initiatives currently available in East Africa. Entrepreneurs who want to build expertise in e-commerce, digital payments, online marketing, and regional trade opportunities under AfCFTA should strongly consider applying. The combination of free training, expert mentorship, and regional networking makes this programme highly valuable for long-term business growth.
