ADM Eligibility Criteria^[2]

The ADM is seeking the most promising proposals for sustainable commercially-oriented business that meet the eligibility criteria outlined below:

Business Location

• Proposals must be implemented in one of the following countries: Angola, Burundi, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia.

Sub-Saharan African Diaspora Participation

• Proposals must be submitted by a member (or members) of the Sub-Saharan African diaspora living in the United States as a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
  Who is considered a "diaspora member?" The ADM uses the African Union's definition of diaspora: "people of African origin living outside the continent, irrespective of their citizenship and nationality and who are willing to contribute to the development of the continent and the building of the African Union."
   
• Proposals may be submitted by an individual diaspora member, a group of diaspora members, or a diaspora-owned business based in the U.S.

African Partnership

• Proposals must be submitted in partnership with a local African entity located in the participating Sub-Saharan African country where the business is or will be established.
• The African based partner may be an individual, a group of individuals or a business.

Business Criteria

• Must be a start-up or established business seeking to expand or introduce new goods or services.
• Must be legally registered in the Sub-Saharan African country of implementation. Businesses that are not yet legally registered may also participate in the competition provided they are able to become legally incorporated before advancing to the final round of the competition.
• Must include a minimum of 25% ownership by the proposing U.S.-based diaspora member. Proposals that advance to the final round will be required to submit evidence of diaspora ownership.
• Eligible sectors: All commercially viable proposals will be considered; however, the ADM is particularly supportive of proposals for business ventures working in "productive sectors" including but not limited to: agribusiness, handicrafts, textiles, tourism, environmental services such as waste management, construction and infrastructure, logistics and transportation, manufacturing and assembly, fisheries, livestock and information and communication technologies (ICT).

Matching Contribution

• Applications must demonstrate a minimum of one-to-one leverage ratio of applicant contributions to ADM grant funding. Proposals that offer to leverage beyond that are viewed favorably. At least some portion of the leverage must be in the form of a financial contribution. In addition to monetary contributions, in-kind resources such as property, equipment, and supplies are also valuable contributions. Applications must clearly specify the contributions of each party and indicate the cash value of in-kind support.

Implementation Timeframe

• Proposed activities must be completed within 18 months of receiving the initial disbursement from the ADM.

Award size

• Requests for ADM funding should be between US$50,000 and US$100,000.

Language

• Proposals must be submitted in English.

Restrictions

• The ADM will not consider proposals that are not in compliance with ADM General Restrictions and Prohibitions.
• The ADM will not consider applications from or in partnership with:
  • Not-for-profit organizations, Government institutions (national, regional or local).
  • Employees, contractors, or family members of any participating sponsors (USAID, Western Union, etc.).
  • ADM judges, TA providers, and consultants.
  • Entities listed in "Parties Excluded from Federal Procurement or Non-procurement Programs."^[3]