The CivicHive Civic Tech Fellowship. is a 20-week incubation and implementation program for early-stage civic innovators across West Africa. The initiative is designed to identify, nurture, and support the next generation of leaders who are developing tech-enabled solutions to address pressing social challenges. The fellowship supports ideas at various stages and scales, from local initiatives to regional platforms, and encourages the use of diverse technologies such as radio, SMS, print, artificial intelligence, and social media to bridge gaps between governments and citizens, expand civic space, and strengthen democratic participation.
Program Overview and Expansion
Building on insights from its West Africa Civic Tech Landscape Report, the fellowship has expanded from Nigeria to welcome applicants from all West African countries, aiming to strengthen regional ecosystems and foster cross-border collaboration. The selection process prioritizes ideas with clear social impact, strong potential for sustainability, and founders who demonstrate commitment and a compelling vision.
Thematic Areas
• Artificial Intelligence for Good: Solutions using AI to address social challenges, strengthen accountability, and contribute to transparent and inclusive governance of AI systems.
• Low-Cost Climate Tech Solutions: Affordable, tech-driven solutions for climate adaptation, agriculture, environmental management, food security, and community resilience.
• Technology for Social Good (Health, Education, and Justice): Innovations that improve access to essential public services, protect rights, and empower citizens to demand equitable outcomes.
• Advocacy and Social Movements: Tools that strengthen civic organizing, collective action, and citizen-led movements, particularly in shrinking civic spaces.
Fellowship Benefits and Support
The fellowship will incubate 15 civic tech solutions, providing selected participants with a range of support to help refine their ideas and prepare for launch and scaling. Benefits include:
• Technical, product, and legal support.
• Mentorship from experienced civic tech leaders.
• Access to a regional civic tech network.
• A monthly stipend throughout the fellowship.
• Support to prepare solutions for launch and early-stage scaling.
• A paid trip to attend the 2026 West Africa Civic Tech Conference.
Eligibility Criteria
• Applicants must be citizens or residents of any West African country.
• The program is open to individuals or teams working on a civic tech idea or solution.
• The solution must have been tested or in operation for one to three years.
• The project must align with one or more of the fellowship’s thematic areas.
• A clear public-interest or social impact focus is required.
• Applicants must be available to fully participate in all fellowship activities for the duration of the program.
• Participants should be open to mentorship, peer learning, iteration, and collaboration.
Key Dates
• Applications Open: January 23, 2026
• Applications Close: February 11, 2026
• Fellows Announcement: February 23, 2026
• Fellowship Program: March 3 - June 30, 2026
• Lab Sessions: March 31 - April 16, 2026
• Demo Day: July 23, 2026
Applications for the 2026 cohort are scheduled to open on January 23, 2026. For further information or specific inquiries about the program, interested parties may contact the organizers directly at info@civichive.org or visit the official program webpage.