Young Africa Innovates Programme 2026 – Applications Now Open

Young Africa Innovates is a programme focused on identifying and supporting young Nigerians developing solutions to challenges in their communities. Cohort 2 provides selected innovators with structured support to strengthen their ideas, improve their business models and explore opportunities to take their solutions to market. The programme combines capacity building, incubation, mentorship and connections to potential partners and financing opportunities.

Responsibilities:

1. Innovation Development

• Develop and refine an innovation that addresses a specific challenge.
• Participate in programme activities designed to strengthen the solution.
• Apply feedback from mentors and technical experts to improve the innovation.
• Work toward developing a solution that can create sustainable impact.

2. Business and Market Development

• Strengthen the commercial potential of the innovation.
• Develop appropriate routes to market.
• Improve business competitiveness and market readiness.
• Explore approaches for sustainable business growth.
• Prepare the solution for potential customers and market opportunities.

3. Programme Participation

• Participate in incubation, mentorship and capacity-building activities.
• Engage with relevant innovation networks and strategic partners.
• Take advantage of opportunities to showcase the innovation.
• Explore potential investor, grant and financing connections available through the programme.

Requirements:

• Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Applicants must be Nigerian residents living in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau or Taraba.
• Applicants can come from any sector.
• The proposed innovation must address a specific challenge in the applicant's state.
• Applicants should have an idea or solution with potential for meaningful impact.
• A registered business is not required to apply.

Benefits:

• Incubation and capacity-building support.
• Mentorship and technical assistance.
• Product and solution refinement support.
• Business and market development support.
• Commercialisation support.
• Connections to innovation networks and strategic partners.
• Exposure to investors and relevant financing opportunities.
• Exposure to grant opportunities.
• Opportunities to showcase innovations nationally and internationally.