Apply: UNDP Young Africa Innovates Programme 2026–2027 for Nigerian Innovators
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has opened applications for the second cohort of the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme.
UNDP is inviting young Nigerian innovators to develop promising ideas into sustainable businesses.
The initiative is designed to support young people with innovative solutions to pressing community and societal challenges, particularly those who face barriers to accessing funding, mentorship, business networks and technical assistance.
According to UNDP, the programme’s first cohort received more than 9,000 applications, with 205 innovators eventually participating in incubation across seven states and generating 815 employment opportunities. The second cohort aims to expand support for youth-led innovation and entrepreneurship across Nigeria. <Cite refs={[“turn768166search0”]}/>
Benefits of the Young Africa Innovates Programme
Selected innovators will receive support to strengthen their ideas, develop viable business models and prepare their solutions for the market.
Benefits include:
- Financial support: Access to programme funding and potential financing opportunities to help promising innovations grow.
- Business incubation: Structured support to develop ideas into sustainable ventures.
- Mentorship: Guidance from experienced professionals and business advisers.
- Technical assistance: Support to refine prototypes, test solutions and improve products.
- Entrepreneurship training: Practical learning to strengthen business management and innovation skills.
- Market access: Opportunities to connect with potential customers, investors, strategic partners and relevant innovation networks.
- Commercialisation support: Assistance in preparing innovations for adoption and expansion.
The programme is not solely a grant scheme; it combines financial assistance with training, mentorship, incubation and business development support. <Cite refs={[“turn768166search0″,”turn768166search2”]}/>
Who Can Apply?
The programme is open to Nigerians who meet the following basic requirements:
- Be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.
- Reside in one of the seven participating states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau or Taraba.
- Have an innovative idea or solution addressing a genuine problem and have begun developing it into something that can be tested or used.
- Demonstrate a willingness to improve the innovation and develop it into a sustainable venture.
The programme welcomes ideas from all sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, education, renewable energy, climate action, manufacturing, financial inclusion, digital technology and the creative economy.
Young women, persons with disabilities and innovators from underserved communities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Applicants do not need to have a registered business to qualify. However, they should be able to explain the problem their innovation addresses, how their solution works and the progress made so far. <Cite refs={[“turn768166search1″,”turn768166search3”]}/>
How to Apply
Interested applicants should visit the official Young Africa Innovates website to review the eligibility requirements and complete the online application.
Applicants should prepare their contact details, state and Local Government Area of residence, information about their innovation, and a photograph or video demonstrating their solution.
Application portal: https://youngafricainnovates.ng/
Application deadline: November 18, 2026.
For assistance with the application, candidates can contact the programme team at hello@youngafricainnovates.ng or call +234 816 947 1572.
Eligible young innovators in the participating states are encouraged to apply for an opportunity to strengthen their solutions, access expert guidance and build sustainable ventures capable of creating jobs and delivering measurable community impact. <Cite refs={[“turn768166search2″,”turn768166search3”]}/>
