Seven new states.
One Young Africa Innovates Programme.
A partnership between The United Nations Development Programme and the Mastercard Foundation aimed at catalyzing youth-led innovations to drive socio-economic development in the six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. YAI’s ethos is rooted in inclusivity, ensuring that innovators from all walks of life, especially those from underserved communities, are empowered to bring their visions to life and that ‘no one is left behind’ in the creation and inception of solutions.
In this second cohort, Young Africa Innovates will ultimately reach 13 states across all six geo-political zones
The Cohort 2 of the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) programme transitions from foundational exploration to a rigorous, evidence-based co-creation model that integrates key operational insights from Cohort 1. The second cohort of the programme establishes a robust framework designed to test and scale youth led solutions across Nigeria. At the center of this transition is the deployment of a sustainable atypical innovation model that prioritizes cost-efficiency, institutional synergy and wraparound support for atypical innovators.
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 got 9,158 applications, bootcamped 1,348 solutions and incubated 205 innovations, creating 815 work opportunities.
One pathway, five pillars
Stage Gating, Bootcamp and incubation support carry every idea from application to market. See how it works →
One programme, two cohorts, 13 states
The Young Africa Innovates Programme (2023–2027) is an initiative that seeks to identify, incubate and scale youth-led solutions to drive socio-economic development across a diverse set of sectors in Nigeria, reaching a total of 13 states across the country. This initiative is delivered through a partnership between the Mastercard Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme. Through the programme, innovators with solutions to Nigeria’s most complex development challenges are provided with technical and financial support to test, validate and scale their solutions. Young Africa Innovates is committed to discovering, nurturing and growing the most disruptive innovations led by young people across Nigeria. Young Africa Innovates’ ethos is rooted in inclusivity, ensuring that innovators from all walks of life, especially those from traditionally marginalized backgrounds, are empowered to bring their visions to life and that ‘no one is left behind’ in the creation and inception of solutions.
Target beneficiaries
Young persons
Ages 18–35, across all implementing states.
80% women
Targeted representation across all implementing states.
10% persons with disabilities
Targeted representation across all implementing states.
Cohort 2 is implemented in Plateau, Katsina, Niger, Abia, Cross River, Akwa Ibom and Taraba.
Objectives
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
Moving validated innovators from prototype to a commercially viable presence in local and regional value chains.
Who can apply
Cohort 2 is open to young innovators who meet three baseline requirements. Reviewers then assess six additional criteria during selection.
Age 18-35
At the time of application.
Resident of a Cohort 2 state
Akwa Ibom, Taraba, Katsina, Niger, Abia, Cross River, or Plateau.
Sector-agnostic
All sectors welcome. Your solution should address a specific challenge within your state.
Reviewers also weigh a new idea, lived experience of the problem, a for-profit model, proof of concept, scalability, and co-creation readiness.
See full eligibility criteria7 states. Every sector welcome.
The second Cohort is sector-agnostic within each Cohort 2 state, all sectors are welcome to apply.
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.
Apply Now