Apply to SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: SAFETECH AFRICA HACKLAB 2026
Innovating for Safe Spaces, Digital Sovereignty and Rights
Young African innovators, social entrepreneurs and digital rights advocates are invited to apply for the SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026, a youth social innovation challenge supporting innovative solutions to gender-based violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and technology-facilitated violence against women and girls.
The initiative is led by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) across Eastern and Southern Africa and Western and Central Africa, in partnership with the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme, the Global Programme to End Child Marriage, the African Union Women, Gender and Youth Directorate, UNDP, UNICEF and UN Women.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must be young African innovators aged 18–35. Applications should present original, practical and youth-led innovations addressing one of the three challenge themes.
THE THREE CHALLENGE THEMES
- Safe Physical and Community Spaces
Develop digital, mobile or community-based solutions that help prevent child marriage, FGM and gender-based violence. Ideas may include early-warning systems, referral platforms connecting at-risk girls to support services, community safety networks and digital tools promoting school retention and legal awareness.
- Safe Informational Spaces
Create secure, confidential and youth-friendly platforms that provide accurate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) information. Examples include chatbots, USSD services, interactive learning platforms and confidential digital referral systems.
- Safe Digital Spaces
Develop solutions that protect women and girls from online harassment, technology-facilitated violence and harmful disinformation. Ideas may include digital safety tools, encrypted reporting systems, media literacy applications, privacy-preserving AI solutions and secure publishing platforms.
WHAT WINNERS RECEIVE
Four winning innovators or teams will receive seed funding ranging from USD 5,000 to USD 10,000 per winner.
Additional benefits include:
- Virtual mentorship using the UNFPA Social Innovation Toolkit.
- Pitch coaching for shortlisted finalists.
- Opportunities to connect with investors, venture funds and development partners.
- Continental visibility through partner organisations and media platforms.
- An opportunity to pitch at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit in November 2026.
Shortlisted finalists will also participate in a virtual showcase of their innovations.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applicants must provide:
- Team leader and member details, including age, gender, nationality, contact information and roles.
- Selection of one challenge theme.
- A problem statement of no more than 200 words.
- An innovation description of no more than 700 words, explaining how the solution works, its technology, benefits and scalability.
- A 12-month implementation roadmap with outputs and milestones.
- A digital safety and inclusion statement covering safeguarding, privacy and accessibility.
Applications will be assessed on problem-solution fit, originality, feasibility, inclusivity, youth leadership, scalability, impact potential, safety, privacy and ethical considerations.
IMPORTANT DATES
Applications opened: 29 September 2026.
Application deadline: 18 October 2026, at 23:59 CAT.
Final pitch event: YouthConnekt Africa Summit, November 2026.
HOW TO APPLY
Submit your application through the official application announcement and follow the instructions provided on the page.
Official application information:
SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026 – Apply Here
For enquiries, contact:
Esther Tshimanga: etshimanga@gmail.com
Sinothando Manala: manala@unfpa.org
Bernadette Ssebadduka: ssebadduka@unfpa.org
Nicolette Moodie: moodie@unfpa.org
Applicants should prioritise solutions that are practical, inclusive, youth-led, ethically designed and capable of delivering measurable impact in their communities.
