Apply to YOUNG AFRICA INNOVATES PROGRAMME
YOUNG AFRICA INNOVATES PROGRAMME 2026 TO 2027
A UNDP AND MASTERCARD FOUNDATION PARTNERSHIP
Applications are now open for Cohort 2 of the Young Africa Innovates Programme, a partnership between the United Nations Development Programme UNDP and Mastercard Foundation supporting young Nigerians to identify, incubate, and scale innovative solutions.
PROGRAMME TARGET
Cohort 2 will run across 7 states and aims to:
Identify 10,000 youth-led innovations.
Provide capacity support to 1,500 innovators.
Incubate 400 ventures.
The programme targets 80% participation by women and 10% participation by persons with disabilities.
COHORT 2 STATES
Abia
Akwa Ibom
Cross River
Katsina
Niger
Plateau
Taraba
Akwa Ibom participated in Cohort 1 and continues into Cohort 2, while the other 6 states are new to the current cohort.
WHO CAN APPLY
Applicants must:
Be aged 18 to 35 at the time of application.
Be resident in one of the 7 Cohort 2 states.
Have an innovation or solution in any sector. The programme is sector-agnostic and welcomes solutions from different fields.
Reviewers will also consider:
Job creation potential.
Lived experience of the problem being addressed.
For-profit business model.
Proof of concept.
Scalability.
Readiness to co-create.
Community impact.
HOW THE PROGRAMME WORKS
Ecosystem Activation
State-level engagement with ecosystem partners to create an enabling environment for young innovators.
Pipeline Activation
A state-wide application process to identify youth-led solutions from communities across participating states.
Bootcamp
Shortlisted innovators receive intensive in-state training to strengthen their problem definition, business model, and pitch.
Incubation
Selected ventures receive hands-on support, mentorship, and resources to develop solutions for real customers.
Market Access
Graduating ventures are connected to markets, capital, and partners to support expansion beyond their state.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Call for Applications: August to September 2026
Bootcamp: September to October 2026
Incubation: November 2026 to January 2027
COHORT 1 IMPACT
Cohort 1 received 9,158 applications, bootcamped 1,348 solutions, incubated 205 ventures, and created 815 work opportunities for young Nigerians.
APPLICATION
Young innovators aged 18 to 35 who reside in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau, or Taraba are encouraged to apply.
