Applications are currently open for the second cohort of the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme, a collaborative initiative between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mastercard Foundation. The programme is dedicated to identifying, incubating, and scaling youth-led innovations that aim to solve significant socio-economic challenges across Nigeria. The 2026–2027 cohort will focus on innovators in seven designated states, offering a comprehensive support system to help move promising ideas from concept to market.
Programme Overview
• Objective: To discover and support young Nigerians who are developing solutions to critical challenges within their communities.
• Support Provided: The programme offers capacity building, intensive bootcamp training, incubation support, mentorship, financial assistance, and pathways to market access.
• Cohort 2 Targets: The programme aims to identify 10,000 innovations, provide capacity-building support to 1,500 innovators, and incubate 400 ventures with technical and financial support.
• Inclusivity Goals: A key focus is to ensure 80% participation by women and 10% participation by persons with disabilities.
Eligibility Criteria
• Age Requirement: Applicants must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.
• Residency: Must be a resident of one of the seven specified states for Cohort 2.
• Innovation: Applicants must have an existing innovation or solution that addresses a specific challenge in their state.
• Sector: The programme is sector-agnostic, welcoming innovations from any field.
• Encouraged Applicants: Applications are particularly encouraged from women, persons with disabilities, rural innovators, and individuals from underserved or marginalized communities.
Participating States
• Abia
• Akwa Ibom
• Cross River
• Katsina
• Niger
• Plateau
• Taraba
Selection Criteria
• Job Creation Potential: The ability of the innovation to create employment opportunities.
• Lived Experience: The founder's direct experience with the problem being addressed.
• Business Model: A viable for-profit business model.
• Proof of Concept: Evidence that the solution is feasible.
• Scalability: The potential for the innovation to grow and expand.
• Co-creation Readiness: Willingness to participate actively in collaborative development.
• Community Impact: The potential positive effect on the local community.
Programme Benefits
• Capacity Building: Support to strengthen solutions, business models, and problem-solving abilities.
• Bootcamp: An intensive, in-state training focused on refining the problem, business model, and pitch.
• Incubation Support: Hands-on technical support, mentorship, and resources to develop solutions for real customers.
• Financial Support: Grant funding provided to selected innovators and ventures during the incubation phase.
• Market Access: Connections to markets, capital, and partners to facilitate scaling beyond the state level.
• Mentorship and Technical Support: Continuous guidance from facilitators and mentors throughout the programme.
Programme Structure
• Ecosystem Activation: Engaging with state-level stakeholders to foster an enabling environment.
• Pipeline Activation: Utilizing community-based scouting and applications to identify diverse solutions.
• Bootcamp: Intensive training to strengthen the core aspects of the venture.
• Incubation: Providing selected ventures with technical support, mentorship, and resources.
• Market Access: Connecting graduating ventures with opportunities for further growth.
Application Timeline
• Call for Applications: August – September 2026
• Bootcamp: September – October 2026
• Incubation: November 2026 – January 2027
Application Process
Interested innovators who meet the eligibility criteria can submit their applications through the official Young Africa Innovates application portal.
This initiative represents a significant opportunity for young innovators in the designated Nigerian states to receive structured support and resources to bring their solutions to life. Prospective applicants are encouraged to review the criteria and prepare their submissions for the upcoming application window.