Apply to timbuktoo MINETECH EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY PRE-INCUBATION PROGRAMME 2026

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: PAN-AFRICAN MINETECH EXPLORATION TECHNOLOGY PRE-INCUBATION PROGRAMME 2026

Have an idea that could transform how Africa explores and manages its mineral resources?

The timbuktoo MineTech Hub, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ecosystem partners, invites young innovators and multidisciplinary teams to develop technology-driven solutions to real-world mining and mineral exploration challenges.

Participating Countries:
Botswana | Liberia |  Malawi | Nigeria | Zambia |  Zimbabwe

Application Deadline: 16 October 2026

ABOUT THE PROGRAMME

This challenge-led pre-incubation programme supports innovators in transforming early-stage ideas into validated solutions and prototypes that address mineral exploration and mining challenges.

You do not need a finished product or an established company. A clearly defined problem and an initial technology-based idea are enough to apply.

WHAT CAN YOU DEVELOP?

Your solution may involve hardware, software, or a combination of both, focusing on areas such as:

• Mineral exploration and geological data management
• Remote sensing and surveying
• Geophysical and geochemical technologies
• Mineral identification and analysis
• Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics
• Technology for improving exploration data collection, processing, and interpretation

BENEFITS OF PARTICIPATION

Selected teams will have opportunities to access:

• Technical mentorship from experts, universities, geological institutions, and mining professionals.
• Industry engagement to validate solutions against real-world needs.
• Prototype development support through UniPods, MineTech Hub facilities, and innovation infrastructure.
• Entrepreneurship training covering business models, market validation, and commercialisation.
• Networking opportunities with researchers, investors, mining stakeholders, and technology experts.
• Potential seed funding to develop low-fidelity prototypes and proof-of-concept solutions.
• Potential progression to incubation for high-potential teams.
• Intellectual property guidance for selected team leaders.

WHO CAN APPLY?

Applications are open to multidisciplinary teams that meet the following requirements:

• Teams must consist of 2–5 members.
• All members must be aged 18–35 years.
• All team members must reside in the same participating country: Botswana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, or Zimbabwe.
• Members may include students, recent graduates, researchers, engineers, technical professionals, innovators, and early-stage entrepreneurs.
• Teams must combine complementary skills from at least two relevant disciplines, such as Computer Science, Data Science, Mining Engineering, Geomatics, or Software Engineering.
• Teams must identify a real problem in mineral exploration, mining, or related environmental or operational activities.
• Each member must have a clearly defined role and commit to the programme.
• A valid national ID must be provided for every team member.

Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

The programme includes:

1. Validation and pre-incubation — 10 weeks: Test the problem, understand users, assess the business case, and validate the proposed solution.
2. Pitch and selection: Teams are assessed based on problem relevance, technology potential, business validation, and team readiness.
3. Concept development and prototyping: Selected teams develop low-fidelity prototypes with support that may include seed funding.
4. Technical review: Experts and industry stakeholders assess the solutions.
5. Potential incubation: High-potential teams may progress to MineTech Hub incubation.

The programme will be delivered in a hybrid format, combining online technical and business-development sessions with hands-on prototyping at participating UniPods.

HOW TO APPLY

Application Form:
Apply for the MineTech Pre-Incubation Programme

Official Announcement and Programme Details:
UNDP Pan-African MineTech Programme

Enquiries:

• zambia.minetech.hub@undp.org
• coordinator@unipod.org.mw

DEADLINE: 16 OCTOBER 2026

Your idea does not need to be a finished product. Identify a real challenge, assemble a team with complementary skills, and develop a technology concept with the potential to make a difference.

Share this opportunity with students, engineers, researchers, and young African innovators!