UNDP Young Africa Innovates Programme 2026–2027 for Nigerian Innovators

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Applications are open for UNDP Young Africa Innovates Programme 2026–2027. The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, has opened applications for Cohort 2 of the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme, supporting young Nigerian innovators to turn ideas into sustainable ventures that address real-world challenges.

The 2026–2027 programme will support innovators across seven states, providing training, mentorship, incubation and market-access opportunities to help them develop and scale their solutions. Cohort 2 (2026–2027) runs in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Taraba. Six are new; Akwa Ibom continues from Cohort 1.

UNDP Young Africa Innovates Programme Details

From idea to market, in five pillars.

One journey, five stages. Keep scrolling to trace the path an innovation takes through the programme.

Ecosystem Activation
- State-level engagement that rallies ecosystem partners to create an enabling environment for young innovators.
Pipeline Activation
- A state-wide call for applications surfaces youth-led solutions from every community.
Bootcamp
- Intensive in-state training sharpens the problem, the business model and the pitch.
Incubation
- Selected ventures get hands-on support, mentorship and resources to build for real customers.
Market Access
- Graduating ventures connect to markets, capital and partners to scale beyond their state.

UNDP Young Africa Innovates Programme Benefits

Selected innovators may receive:

Innovation bootcamps: Training to strengthen their ideas, business models and pitches.
Incubation support: Practical assistance to develop and test their solutions.
Mentorship: Guidance from experienced professionals and industry experts.
Product development: Support to refine prototypes and improve solutions.
Business development: Training to build viable and sustainable ventures.
Market access: Opportunities to connect with customers, investors and strategic partners.
Funding pathways: Exposure to potential grants and financing opportunities.

The programme follows a pathway from application and selection to bootcamp, incubation and market access.

Eligibility Criteria

Aged 18–35
- You must be from 18 and not older than 35 years old at the time of application.
Resident of a Cohort 2 state
- Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau or Taraba.
Any sector
- The programme is sector-agnostic — solutions from every field are welcome.