The Jobtech Alliance has launched the Cross Border Jobs Startup Competition 2025, a fresh program designed to identify and empower innovative African startups focused on transforming labour mobility throughout the continent.
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As Africa’s workforce expands quickly and millions look for improved job prospects in other countries, this competition emphasises solutions that ensure cross-border employment is more secure, equitable, and attainable.
The growth of Africa’s labour force is outpacing job creation. Each year in Sub-Saharan Africa, 10 to 12 million young people join the workforce, while only approximately 3 million formal employment opportunities emerge. This disparity forces millions to pursue opportunities internationally or within other African nations — frequently without secure, organised, or equitable channels.
The Cross-Border Jobs Startup Competition seeks to bridge this divide by highlighting startups that enable Africans to cross borders for employment and create improved livelihoods. Potential solutions may include scaling jobtech platforms to facilitate labour mobility, providing recruitment and job placement services, or delivering support mechanisms such as language instruction, financial products, accommodation assistance, and regulatory compliance tools for migrant workers.
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This represents an opportunity for MSMEs and entrepreneurs to develop scalable solutions addressing a significant continental issue while securing visibility, guidance, and financial backing.
Qualification Requirements:
Eligible startups must:
- Operate as registered enterprises headquartered in Africa.
- Deliver solutions enabling cross-border labour mobility within Africa or between Africa and other global regions.
- Follow responsible and ethical labour migration standards.
- Demonstrate evidence of market traction (encouraged but not required).
Awards and Benefits:
- Each of the three winning startups receives a $10,000 grant.
- Technology perks from Jobtech Alliance are valued at up to $200,000 per organisation (including AWS credits).
- Guidance and networking opportunities via Jobtech Alliance, LaMP, IOM, and additional partners.
- Potential qualification for further support for startups demonstrating significant growth.
Register to attend the CN Business Mixer
Application Timeline:
- Applications Launch: 1 October 2025
- Closing Date: 31 October 2025
- Q&A Information Session: 17 October 2025 (registration via email to [email protected])
- Shortlist Announcement: 7 November 2025
- Pitch Presentations: 10–17 November 2025
- Winner Declaration: Early December
Click HERE to apply.
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