Apply to National Youth in Agribusiness Innovation Contest
CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: NATIONAL YOUTH IN AGRIBUSINESS INNOVATION CONTEST 2026
Are you a young Nigerian building an agribusiness or developing an innovative solution for the agricultural sector? This is an opportunity to receive training, mentorship, incubation support and seed funding to grow your idea or business.
The National Youth in Agribusiness Innovation Contest is organised by AGRA and SMEDAN, in collaboration with Jesnoch International and Plus Incubation Hub, to identify, train and connect young agripreneurs with potential financiers and buyers.
PRIZES AND BENEFITS
Ten winners will receive seed capital and business support.
Prize money:
- Winner: ₦5,000,000
- First runner-up: ₦3,000,000
- Second runner-up: ₦2,000,000
- Fourth to tenth positions: ₦1,000,000 each
Other benefits include:
- Certified access-to-finance training delivered in English and Hausa.
- An eight-module training programme.
- Pitching opportunities before expert reviewers.
- Live pitching at the Grand Finale.
- Access to a Deal Room with banks, development finance institutions, agricultural lenders and impact investors.
- Six months of mentorship, incubation support and aftercare for the ten winners.
- Opportunities to connect with potential financiers and buyers.
- Inclusion in an Innovation Showcase Register for outstanding innovations.
- Feedback for every applicant.
Thirty finalists will pitch their innovations at the Grand Finale, while more than 100 young agripreneurs will receive training.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Applicants must:
- Be Nigerian citizens aged 18–35.
- Be based in any state in Nigeria.
- Be running an agribusiness or developing an agricultural business idea.
- Be working in maize, rice, soybean or related agrifood value chains.
- Have an idea-stage project, prototype, early-stage venture or established agribusiness.
Eligible areas include climate-smart agriculture, agricultural technology, agro-processing, supply chains, agricultural finance, insurance and farm security.
Women, rural youth and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
IMPORTANT DATES
Application deadline: Friday, 16 October 2026, at 11:59 PM WAT.
The winners’ prizes are scheduled to be presented at the MSMEs Conference in Lagos in November 2026.
HOW TO APPLY
Apply through the official programme website:
National Youth in Agribusiness Innovation Contest Application Portal
If you are passionate about agriculture and have an idea or business with the potential to solve real problems, consider applying before the deadline.
