Pan-African MineTech Pre-Incubation Programme 2026 – Applications Now Open, Apply Now

The timbuktoo MineTech Hub and UNDP are inviting teams of young innovators to develop technology solutions for mineral exploration and mining challenges. Early-stage ideas are welcome; applicants do not need a finished product or an established business.

Responsibilities

• Identify a real mining or mineral exploration challenge and validate the problem.
• Research user needs and assess the commercial potential of proposed solutions.
• Develop and test early-stage prototypes.
• Participate in mentorship, industry reviews and programme assessments.

Requirements

• Apply as a team of 2-5 members aged 18-35.
• All team members must reside in the same eligible country: Botswana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe 
• Combine skills from at least two relevant disciplines, such as Computer Science, Data Science, Mining Engineering, Geomatics or Software Engineering.
• Identify a relevant mining, exploration, environmental or operational problem.
• Assign each team member a clear role and ensure their commitment to the programme.
• Each member must provide a valid national ID.
• Students, graduates, researchers, engineers and early-stage entrepreneurs are eligible.
• Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.

Benefits

• Technical mentorship and industry engagement.
• Prototype development support and access to innovation facilities.
• Entrepreneurship and commercialisation training.
• Networking with investors, researchers and mining professionals.
• Potential seed funding and progression to incubation for promising teams.
• Intellectual property guidance for selected team leaders.