UNDP Africa Young Innovates Programme 2026/2027

The Young Africa Innovates programme, a partnership between the UNDP and Mastercard Foundation, supports Nigerian innovators aged 18–35 across seven states (Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau, Taraba) to develop and scale their business ideas through training, mentorship, and funding. The programme targets traditionally marginalized groups, including women and persons with disabilities, aiming for 80% female participation and 10% inclusion of persons with disabilities. It operates in five stages: Ecosystem Activation, Pipeline Activation, Bootcamp, Incubation, and Market Access, culminating in job creation and venture scaling over 2026–2027.⁠​​​‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌​​​​‌‌​​​​‌‌​‌​‌​⁠

What it offers

• Technical support and mentorship during stage-gating (early selection phase).
• Financial grants for selected ventures.
• In-state training (Bootcamp) to refine business models and pitches.
• Hands-on incubation support (November 2026–January 2027) to build for real customers.
• Market access to connect with capital, partners, and scaling opportunities.
• Work opportunities for participants and their teams.
• Sector-agnostic—open to all innovation fields, prioritizing job creation, lived experience, scalability, and community impact.

Who can apply

Applicants must be Nigerian citizens aged 18–35, residents of one of the seven Cohort 2 states, and have a youth-led innovation solution in any sector. The programme emphasizes diversity, particularly among traditionally marginalized groups.

How to apply

1. Submit an online application between 1 September–18 November 2026 (earlier submissions are encouraged).
2. Shortlisted innovators will attend an in-state Bootcamp (September–October 2026) to refine their ideas.
3. Selected ventures proceed to Incubation (November 2026–January 2027) with mentorship and resources.

Good to know

• Application deadline: 18 November 2026 (explicit calendar date).
• No explicit funding amount or currency specified for grants.
• No formal education level requirement—focus on innovation potential.
• Language: English (assumed for online application).
• No accommodation or stipend mentioned beyond grants.
• No travel or flight benefits for applicants.
• No disability-specific documentation required beyond general eligibility.
• No prior experience threshold—open to all innovators with viable ideas.