Seven new states.
One Young Africa Innovates Programme.
A partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and UNDP — identifying 10,000 innovations, supporting 1,500 innovators, and incubating 400 ventures across Plateau, Katsina, Niger, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom, and Taraba.
Bringing Young Africa Innovates to seven more states
Running 2023–2027 overall, Young Africa Innovates will ultimately reach 13 states across all six geo-political zones. Cohort 2 (2026–2027) is sector-agnostic within each state — every field is welcome to apply.
7 new states
Plateau, Katsina, Niger, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Taraba join the programme for 2026–2027.
Built on what worked
Cohort 1 onboarded 5,000 innovators, moved 2,500 solutions through Bootcamp, and incubated 300 ventures across 7 states.
One pathway, five pillars
Stage Gating, Bootcamp and incubation support carry every idea from application to market. See how it works →
Five pillars, one pathway from idea to market
Ecosystem Activation
Engaging state-level stakeholders to build an enabling policy environment for inclusive innovation.
Pipeline Activation
Community engagement via local scouting partners to reach atypical innovators — rural areas, marginalised communities, and women.
Bootcamp
A high-intensity, design-thinking-led residency closing technical and operational gaps for shortlisted innovators.
Incubation
Wraparound technical support and financial grants to refine and implement solutions.
Market Access New
Moving validated innovators from prototype to a commercially viable presence in local and regional value chains.
Seven states. Every sector welcome.
Katsina
Niger
Abia
Cross River
Akwa Ibom
Taraba
Where Cohort 2 is headed next
Call for Applications
August–September 2026 exact dates pending
Bootcamp
September–October 2026
Incubation
November 2026–January 2027
See Cohort 2 states in action
A look inside Cohort 1 Stage Gating and Bootcamp sessions across Ekiti, Kwara, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno and Kaduna — the model Cohort 2 builds on.
Ready to shape the future
Cohort 2 applications are open. Apply now to join Young Africa Innovates.