How to Apply for the Young Africa Innovates Programme Cohort 2026

How to Apply for the Young Africa Innovates Programme Cohort 2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is inviting young Nigerian innovators to apply for Cohort 2 of the Young Africa Innovates Programme (YAIP) 2026–2027.

The programme supports youth-led innovations by helping young people transform ideas, prototypes and solutions into sustainable ventures that address community, national and development challenges.

Opportunity Snapshot

• Programme: Young Africa Innovates Programme (YAIP), Cohort 2
• Programme Period: 2026–2027
• Organisers: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Mastercard Foundation
• Location: Nigeria
• Eligible States: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Taraba
• Age Requirement: 18–35 years
• Eligibility: Young Nigerian innovators residing in one of the seven eligible states
• Benefits: Innovation bootcamps, business development training, incubation support, mentorship and access to resources for developing and testing solutions
• Application Method: Online
• Application Deadline: 14 November 2026

What Is the Young Africa Innovates Programme?

The Young Africa Innovates Programme is an initiative designed to support young innovators in developing solutions to real-world challenges and building sustainable ventures.

The programme focuses on helping participants move from innovative ideas and prototypes towards practical solutions with measurable social and economic impact.

Through training, incubation support, mentorship and access to relevant resources, the programme aims to help young innovators develop their solutions, explore market opportunities and build sustainable enterprises.

Is the Young Africa Innovates Programme Right for You?

You should apply if:

• You are between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.
• You reside in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau or Taraba State.
• You have an innovative idea, prototype or solution addressing a community, national or development challenge.
• You are committed to developing a sustainable venture.
• Your innovation has the potential to create measurable social and economic impact.
• You want to develop your innovation through business training, mentorship and incubation support.

Applicants particularly encouraged to apply

Young women, persons with disabilities and innovators from underserved communities are particularly encouraged to apply.

This encouragement does not replace the programme’s stated age, residence and innovation requirements.

What Will You Actually Do?

Selected participants will receive support to develop and strengthen their innovations through programme activities that include:

• Participating in innovation bootcamps.
• Receiving business development training.
• Developing and testing innovative solutions.
• Accessing incubation support and mentorship.
• Exploring opportunities to connect with markets, potential partners and sources of capital.

These activities are intended to help participants develop solutions that can address identified challenges and progress towards sustainable ventures.

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What Do You Get From the Programme?

Innovation Bootcamps and Business Development Training

Selected innovators may participate in bootcamps and business development training to strengthen their innovation and enterprise development skills.

Incubation Support and Mentorship

Participants may receive incubation support and mentorship to help them develop their ideas and improve their solutions.

Resources for Developing and Testing Solutions

The programme offers access to resources intended to help selected innovators develop and test their solutions.

Market and Partnership Opportunities

Participants may have opportunities to connect with markets, potential partners and sources of capital to support the development of their ventures.

What You Need Before Applying

Before applying, ensure that you can demonstrate that you meet the programme’s stated requirements.

Eligibility Checklist

• You are aged 18–35 at the time of application.
• You reside in one of the seven eligible states.
• You have an innovative idea, prototype or solution.
• Your innovation addresses a community, national or development challenge.
• You are committed to developing a sustainable venture with measurable social and economic impact.

Information to Prepare

Prepare clear information about your innovation, including the problem it addresses, the proposed solution and its potential social and economic impact.

Also Apply: FAO Internship Programme 2026/2027 for Students and Recent Graduates

How to Apply for the Young Africa Innovates Programme

Follow these steps to apply for YAIP Cohort 2:

• Visit the official programme website using the link below
• Read the available application guidelines and eligibility requirements.
• Confirm that you meet the age and state-of-residence requirements.
• Prepare information about your innovative idea, prototype or solution.
• Complete the online application form with accurate information.
• Review your application before submitting it.
• Submit your application before the deadline of 14 November 2026.

Apply here

How to Make Your Application Stand Out

To present your innovation clearly, focus on the following areas when completing your application:

• Problem identification: Explain the specific community, national or development challenge your innovation addresses.
• Proposed solution: Describe how your idea, prototype or solution addresses the problem.
• Potential impact: Explain the expected social and economic benefits of your innovation.
• Sustainability: Show how you intend to develop the idea into a sustainable venture.
• Development potential: Explain what your innovation needs to progress, improve or reach its intended users.

Ensure that your responses are specific, accurate and supported by information about your actual innovation.

Important Things to Know Before Applying

• Applications are open for Cohort 2 of the Young Africa Innovates Programme, covering 2026–2027.
• Applicants must be aged 18–35 at the time of application.
• Applicants must reside in one of the seven eligible states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau or Taraba.
• Applicants must have an innovative idea, prototype or solution addressing a relevant challenge.
• Young women, persons with disabilities and innovators from underserved communities are particularly encouraged to apply.
• The stated application deadline is 14 November 2026.
• The supplied announcement does not confirm a guaranteed cash grant, stipend or investment amount.
• Applicants should consult the official website for complete requirements and updates.

Application Deadline and Timeline

The application deadline for the Young Africa Innovates Programme Cohort 2 is 14 November 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who organises the Young Africa Innovates Programme?

The programme is organised by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation.

Who can apply for YAIP Cohort 2?

Applicants must be aged 18–35, reside in one of the seven eligible states and have an innovative idea, prototype or solution addressing a community, national or development challenge.

Which states are eligible for YAIP Cohort 2?

The eligible states are Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Taraba.

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What benefits does the programme offer?

Selected innovators may benefit from innovation bootcamps, business development training, incubation support, mentorship, resources for developing and testing solutions, and opportunities to connect with markets, capital and potential partners.

Does the programme provide a cash grant?

The supplied announcement does not confirm a guaranteed cash grant or a specific funding amount for participants.

What is the application deadline?

The application deadline is 14 November 2026.

How do I apply for the programme?

Apply online through the official programme website provided above

Can applicants with an idea apply, or must they already have a prototype?

The announcement states that applicants may have an innovative idea, prototype or solution. It does not require every applicant to have an existing prototype.

Are young women and persons with disabilities eligible?

Young women, persons with disabilities and innovators from underserved communities are particularly encouraged to apply, provided they meet the programme’s eligibility requirements.

Our Take: Who Should Apply?

The Young Africa Innovates Programme is suitable for young innovators aged 18–35 who live in Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau or Taraba State and want to develop solutions to real-world challenges.

It is particularly relevant to applicants who have an innovative idea or prototype and need business development training, mentorship, incubation support and resources to develop and test their solutions.

Applicants should ensure that their innovations have a clear purpose and potential for sustainable social and economic impact.

Conclusion

The Young Africa Innovates Programme (YAIP) Cohort 2 offers eligible young Nigerian innovators opportunities to strengthen their ideas, develop practical solutions and work towards building sustainable ventures.

Eligible applicants should review the requirements and submit their applications through the official website before 14 November 2026.