Applications are currently open for the 2026 UNDP Pan-African MineTech Startup Incubation Programme. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is inviting African MineTech startups to apply for the Timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation Network's new MineTech Hub located in Zambia. This initiative aims to identify and support startups developing technologies to enhance the safety, cleanliness, and transparency of African mining. The first cohort is scheduled to commence in July 2026.
Program Focus
The timbuktoo MineTech Hub is dedicated to fostering startups that are building innovative solutions for the mining sector. The program focuses on technology designed to make African mining safer, cleaner, and more transparent. This includes a range of solutions from equipment that protects artisanal miners and tools for tracking mineral origins, to systems that monitor environmental damage before it escalates.
Program Benefits
• Structured Incubation: Startups selected for the programme will receive structured incubation from accredited incubators within the timbuktoo network.
• Network Access: Participants gain access to a continental network of mentors, investors, and fellow founders.
• Digital Platform: The program utilizes the timbuktoo digital platform, which is designed to match founders with mentorship, learning resources, and AI-powered guidance to prepare them for investment.
Areas of Interest
Applications are encouraged from startups operating across the entire mining value chain, with a focus on the following areas:
• Mine safety technology and workforce protection
• Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) formalization and mechanization
• Mineral traceability and resource governance
• Environmental monitoring and climate resilience
• Lithium-ion battery design and value chain development
• Remote and autonomous mining operations
• Mine dewatering, ventilation, and geotechnical risk management
• Market access, trade, and financial inclusion for mining-linked businesses
Eligibility Requirements
• Geographic Focus: Startups must be based in Africa or be developing solutions specifically for African mining markets.
• Stage of Development: Applicants must have a working prototype or a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
• Team and Vision: A committed team and a clear solution to a tangible problem within the mining value chain are required.
• Inclusivity: Applications from women-led and youth-led startups, as well as founders from underserved or mining-affected communities, are especially encouraged.
Application Details
• Application Deadline: Applications are accepted on a rolling, ongoing basis.
• Cohort Intake: New cohorts are admitted every three months.
• First Cohort Start Date: The inaugural cohort is set to begin in July 2026.
For comprehensive details and to proceed with an application, interested parties are advised to visit the official webpage of the UNDP Pan-African MineTech Startup Incubation Programme.