Cross Border Jobs Startup Competition 2025: Supporting African Startups Driving Safe and Fair Labour Mobility ($10k grant). Africa’s workforce is expanding rapidly, with millions of young people entering the labour market each year, yet formal job opportunities remain limited. This imbalance leaves a large share of the population underemployed or working in informal sectors. At the same time, regions such as Europe and the Gulf are facing growing labour shortages in key industries like construction, healthcare, and hospitality.
The Cross Border Jobs Startup Competition was created to bridge this gap by identifying and supporting startups that enable safe, fair, and efficient cross-border employment for African workers. Through innovation, technology, and partnerships, the programme seeks to unlock opportunities that help African talent connect with decent work abroad while promoting ethical recruitment, financial inclusion, and social protection across labour migration systems.
If you’re building a platform or service that helps African talent move, connect, and thrive across borders, we want to hear from you.
What We’re Looking For
We are seeking startups that:
- Facilitate worker mobility across African or global borders, through recruitment, placement and/or service management.
- Offer enabling services focused on the needs of migrants such as finance, language training, compliance, housing, or recruitment.
- Expand existing jobtech solutions into the labour mobility space.
Also Read: Eiffel Excellence Scholarship Program 2026: Fully-Funded Master’s and PhD Opportunities in France
Eligibility
Eligible startups must satisfy all the following conditions:
- Offer cross-border labour mobility solutions for Africans, between Africa and globally and across African borders.
- Have a registered business.
- Though the business can be at any stage (including idea/MVP stage), some evidence of traction is preferred.
- Adhere to principles relating to responsible and professional labor migration.
Prizes & Support
The top 3 startups win:
- Grants worth $10k each
- Access to the Jobtech Alliance’s tech perks worth up to $200,000 per company (including AWS credits and more).
- Mentorship + community access through Jobtech Alliance, LaMP, IOM, and partners.
- Eligibility for follow-on support for startups showing strong traction.
Key Dates
Applications open: 1 October
Q&A Webinar: 17th October
If you have any questions, feel free to email at [email protected] and register to join for the Q&A webinar here
Deadline: 31 October
Shortlisting complete: 7 November
Pitches of Shortlisted companies: 10-17 November
Winners announced: Early December
How to Apply
To Apply visit the website for Cross Border Jobs Startup Competition 2025
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