The ScaleHealth Africa: NTD Accelerator Programme [SHAAP] is an initiative which seeks to build a pipeline of scalable, investment-ready social enterprises that strengthen health systems and improve the quality of life of communities affected by Neglected Tropical Diseases across West Africa.
The programme is funded by the Anesvad Foundation, an international foundation committed to fighting Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and strengthening public health systems in Africa. It is implemented by Challenges Ghana, an enterprise development organization supporting purpose-driven businesses to grow and perform better.
It is a 9-month virtual accelerator supporting early growth-stage health-focused enterprises that are already operating in the market but are ready to scale their impact and attract investment. The programme targets legally registered enterprises operating in at least one of the following West African countries:
The programme is designed for early growth-stage social enterprises that:
Throughout the course of the programme, participants are expected to:
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This programme is designed to provide strategic and operational support to health-focused enterprises operating in selected countries. It aims to strengthen and scale innovative business solutions addressing key health challenges, particularly those related to Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) and the Social Determinants of Health (SDH). Through structured advisory support, technical assistance, and ecosystem linkages, the programme seeks to enhance the sustainability, scalability, and impact of participating businesses.
The programme targets health-focused enterprises that:
By the end of the programme, participating enterprises are expected to: strengthen their business models, systems, and operational structures; refine and validate scalable sustainable health solutions; enhance financial management and investment readiness; position themselves to attract external financing and growth capital; build strategic partnerships across Global North and South actors, foundations, impact funds, and universities; demonstrate measurable social impact; access curated investor engagement and partnership opportunities. Selected high-performing enterprises may receive catalytic funding support.
Eligible applicants must:
Applications must be submitted through the official programme application link available on our website and shared across our social media platforms.
The application deadline is: 25 March 2026 at 11:59 PM GMT. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their applications well before the deadline.
Applications will be assessed based on:
Final selection will be merit-based.
The programme runs for approximately nine (9) months, delivered primarily as a virtual accelerator. It will conclude with an Open Day and Investor Engagement Event. There may be limited in-person networking and partnership-building opportunities, for selected participants.
Primarily virtual, Hybrid engagement may be available for enterprises based in Ghana.
Participants can expect structured engagements at least once per week, depending on the phase of support and individual business needs.
Participants are expected to spend about at least 30 hours total direct engagement with their assigned business advisor, approximately 4 hours per week to implementing agreed structural improvements, systems development, and strategic actions. Participants are expected to attend a 120-minute one-on-one advisory session fortnightly. Active participation and commitment are critical to achieving meaningful results.
The programme covers core business growth pillars, including: strategy development, financial management, people & operations, leadership development (for founders and senior management teams).
Participants will benefit from one-on-one business advisory support, mentorship and coaching, on-demand subject matter expert sessions, technical assistance tailored to business needs, curated ecosystem linkages and strategic introductions and Investor readiness and capital access support.
Yes. Participants will be required to complete structured deliverables developed in collaboration with their assigned business advisors. These may include: strategy documents, financial systems upgrades, governance frameworks, operational improvements and defined growth milestones.
To successfully complete the programme, participants must: attend all scheduled sessions, actively engage in advisory discussions, implement agreed structural and operational changes and demonstrate progress toward defined milestones.
Yes. Attendance and active participation are mandatory to ensure maximum benefit from the programme. Scheduling will remain flexible and coordinated to accommodate business operations.
No. The programme is fully funded for selected participants.
There are no participation stipends. However:
Yes. Selected high-performing enterprises may receive continued ecosystem linkages, partnership facilitation, and learning opportunities beyond the programme duration.
Data collected during the programme will be used to: measure programme impact, track business growth outcomes, assess bottom-line improvements, inform aggregated reporting.
Yes. All sensitive business information shared during the programme will remain confidential. The funder and The Challenges Group may report only aggregated impact data and approved case studies.
Official programme communications will be sent via: ghana@thechallengesgroup.com.
Participants are advised to regularly check their email for updates.
For all questions or clarifications, please contact: ghana@thechallengesgroup.com.
