UNDP Opens Applications for Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme Cohort 2, 2026

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Applications are now invited from suitably qualified young Nigerians for the Young African Innovates (YAI) Programme. This article will guide you towards the application process.

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The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is pleased to announce the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme, cohort 2 call for applications.

About Young Africa Innovates (YAI)

Young Africa Innovates is a flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme designed to identify, incubate, and scale high-potential innovations developed by young Nigerians. The programme focuses on supporting atypical innovators - these are young people from underserved communities, young women and persons with disabilities - whose ideas have the potential to solve pressing community challenges, but who lack access to the financing, networks, mentorship, and technical support to grow.

The YAI programme  is building a pipeline of innovators capable of developing commercially viable solutions while contributing to inclusive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development across the six geopolitical zones in Nigeria. 

The inaugural cohort of the Young Africa Innovates Programme received more than 9,000 applications from across the country, demonstrating the enormous potential and creativity of Nigeria's young innovators. Following a rigorous selection process, 205 innovators were successfully incubated across seven states (Borno, Ekiti, Kwara, Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna and Akwa Ibom) receiving comprehensive support that included innovation development, business incubation, entrepreneurial training, mentorship, commercialization support, and market readiness interventions. This culminated in the creation of 815 employment opportunities across the country. 

Building on the success of Cohort 1, which reached 7 states across the six geopolitical zones, the programme is expanding its reach to 6 additional states under Cohort 2 to ensure more young innovators across Nigeria can benefit from the initiative. In addition to the existing Cohort 1 participating states, Cross River, Abia, Taraba, Niger, Katsina, Akwa Ibom, and Plateau States have been identified for expansion as part of the programme's growing national footprint. Through close collaboration with state governments, innovation hubs, universities, private sector partners, development institutions, and investors, the programme aims to establish vibrant state-level innovation ecosystems that support entrepreneurs from idea generation through to commercial scale.

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Who Can Apply for Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme?

Applications are open to:

Young Nigerians aged 18–35 years from underserved communities, young women and persons with disabilities. 

Individuals with disruptive solutions, prototypes, or working samples addressing community, national, or development challenges;

Innovators who are committed to transforming their ideas into sustainable ventures capable of delivering measurable social and economic impact.

Eligible Sectors

Innovations across all sectors including agriculture, climate action, health, education, manufacturing, digital technology, financial inclusion, renewable energy, the creative economy, and other development-focused industries are encouraged to apply.

What Successful Applicants Will Receive

Selected innovators will gain access to:

• World-class incubation and entrepreneurship support;
• Technical mentorship and business advisory services;
• Product and prototype refinement;
• Market readiness and commercialization support;
• Access to innovation networks and strategic partnerships;
• Exposure to investors, grant opportunities, and financing pathways;
• Opportunities to showcase their innovations nationally and internationally.

The programme also provides tailored support to help innovators strengthen their route-to-market strategies, improve business competitiveness, and position themselves for sustainable growth.

How to Apply for Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme

Applications for Young Africa Innovates Cohort 2 opens on 1st September 2026.

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit https://youngafricainnovates.ng/ for eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and relevant programme information.

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UNDP and the Mastercard Foundation remain committed to unlocking the potential of Nigeria's young innovators and building an inclusive innovation ecosystem where transformative ideas can thrive, create jobs, and accelerate sustainable development.