About The Programme
IGNITE Digital Economy Incubator and Accelerator, is a 12-month high-intensity initiative designed to bridge the gap between digital innovation and sustainable development in Zambia.

Funded by the European Union and implemented by BongoHive Innovations in partnership with Self Help Africa, we are on a mission to scale 40 of Zambia’s most formidable entrepreneurs. We are looking for those leveraging digital technologies to drive the economy and build a sustainable future for Zambia

Why Join the Programme?

This is not a traditional 'classroom' incubator. We have built this for Builders.
• Blended Financing: Access to non-equity grants to fuel your technical milestones and scaling efforts.
• Technical Clinics: Specialised 'CTO-as-a-Service' support to audit your code, refine your tech stack, and eliminate technical debt.
• Investor Readiness: Direct access to investors and prospective corporate partners through our curated events.
• Ecosystem Access: Connection to a high-value community of legal advisors, circular economy experts, and mentors.

Programme Structure

Phase 1: Recruitment & Design Sprints (26th March- 3rd May 2026)
A 2-day hands-on in person 'sprint' in Lusaka, Ndola, and Kitwe to refine your MVP, validate your problem-solution fit, and submit a quality application.

Phase 2: Design Lab | Online  (19th May -14th July 2026) -Top 40
A two month phase where startups undergo a comprehensive technical audit and human-centered design (HCD) refinement to optimise their technology stacks for scalability and impact.

Phase 3: Incubation | Hybrid (28th July -30th October 2026) - Top 20
Focused on group learning, specialised clinics, and coaching to build a sustainable, revenue-generating business model.

Phase 4: Acceleration| Online (2nd November-27th February 2027)
Exclusive to the Top 10 performers. This phase includes intensive 1-on-1 mentorship and milestone-driven grant disbursement.

Eligibility Criteria

To maintain a quality pipeline, all applicants must meet the following mandatory requirements:

1. Location: Your business must be primarily based in Lusaka or the Copperbelt
2.Core business in digital technology, operating within any sector except agriculture.
3. Minimum Viable Product (MVP) with meaningful customer/business validation such as pilot studies, active users, strategic partnerships, or revenue generation. We will not accept 'idea-only' applications.
4. Your business must be a legally registered entity with PACRA
5. Commitment: Founders must be available for both virtual and physical sessions throughout the 12-month period.

A Note on Our Values

IGNITE operates with a Zero-Tolerance policy regarding fraud, corruption, and exploitation. We are committed to Gender and Youth Inclusion and strongly encourage women-led and youth-led (under 35) enterprises to apply.