Young Africa Innovates Programme 2026: Cohort 2 Eligibility, States and How to Apply

Last updated: 2 November 2026

The Young Africa Innovates Programme (YAI) is a youth innovation programme run by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. It finds young Nigerians with working ideas, trains them, and helps them turn those ideas into businesses. Applications for Cohort 2 opened on 1 September 2026 and close on 18 November 2026. Cohort 2 is for young people who live in seven states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Taraba.

This guide explains who can apply, what the programme gives you, the documents you need and how to apply on the official portal.

Cohort 2 at a glance

What the programme is

YAI is not a cash handout or a general youth empowerment program. It started in 2023 and runs until 2027. Its aim is to find, incubate and grow youth-led solutions to problems in Nigerian communities. It puts young people who are often left out first. The programme has set a goal of 80% women and 10% persons with disabilities among its innovators.

For Cohort 2, the programme plans to identify 10,000 innovations, support 1,500 innovators and incubate 400 ventures.

How Cohort 1 went

Cohort 1 ran from 2023 to 2025 in seven states: Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kwara and Lagos. It received 9,158 applications.

In the end, 205 ventures completed incubation. The programme says Cohort 1 created 815 work opportunities.

Who can apply for Cohort 2

You can apply if you meet all of these:

• You are a Nigerian aged 18 to 35 at the time you apply.
• You live in one of the seven Cohort 2 states: Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Taraba.
• You have an innovative solution, a prototype or a working sample that solves a community, national or development problem.
• You are committed to building a sustainable venture with clear social and economic impact.

Young people from underserved communities, young women and persons with disabilities get priority. All sectors are welcome, so the idea can be in farming, health, education, clean energy, waste, fintech or any other area.

You do not need a registered business to apply. Business details such as revenue, team size and a CAC number are optional on the form.

What the reviewers look for

• A real problem you understand, ideally one you or your community live with.
• Proof that the idea works, such as a prototype, a sample or early testing.
• A plan to make money from it, not only a charity project.
• Room to grow and create jobs.
• Clear benefit to your community.

What successful applicants get

Shortlisted innovators go through stages. Each stage helps the venture get ready for customers and funding.

1. Bootcamp: an in-person bootcamp in your state. It covers the problem you solve, your business model and how to pitch.
2. Incubation: selected ventures get mentorship, business advice and help to improve their prototype.
3. Funding support: the programme supports ventures with grants and links them to investors and other financing.
4. Market access: showcases and links to buyers and partners.

How much is the grant?

UNDP and the Mastercard Foundation have not published a grant amount, either for Cohort 1 or for Cohort 2. In Cohort 1, the 210 selected innovators received seed funding during incubation, but the amount per venture was never made public.

The grant is not paid to every applicant. Only innovators who pass the bootcamp and are selected for incubation get funding. Some websites claim every winner gets $25,000. No official source says this, so ignore it.

Documents and details you need

Prepare these before you start the form. Your answers save as you go, so you can finish later.

• Your 11-digit NIN.
• A photo of a valid ID: NIN slip, voter’s card, driver’s licence or international passport.
• A short pitch video of about one minute.
• A photo, drawing or PDF of your prototype or solution.
• Proof of testing, if you have it (optional).
• Your email address and three phone numbers: your own, your WhatsApp number and a guardian or spouse contact.
• Your address, state and local government area.
• Your date of birth, education and current work.
• Your disability status and any support you need, if this applies to you.

How to apply for Young Africa Innovates Cohort 2

1. Go to the official site, youngafricainnovates.ng, and open the apply page.
2. Read the consent notice and check that you meet the age and state rules.
3. Create an account with your email address.
4. Fill in your personal details, NIN and contact numbers.
5. Answer the questions about your idea.
6. Upload your ID, pitch video and prototype files.
7. Check everything, then submit before 18 November 2026.

Questions on the application form

The form asks you to explain your idea in your own words. Plan short, clear answers to these:

• What problem are you solving, and who does it affect?
• How does your solution work?
• What is new about it, and how is it different from at least two other solutions in Nigeria?
• Why do you care about this problem?
• Who will benefit?
• What is holding you back, and what do you want from the programme?

Tips for a stronger application

• Show the problem with a simple real example from your community.
• Keep the pitch video short and clear. Say who you are, the problem, your solution and who has used it.
• Add photos of your prototype in use, not only drawings.
• Name the other solutions you compared yourself with. Reviewers want to see you know the market.
• Do not leave it to the last day. The portal can get slow near the deadline.

Key dates

The official timeline lists the bootcamp for September and October 2026, but applications stay open until 18 November. So the bootcamp dates are likely to move. In Cohort 1, bootcamps came first and the incubation started a few months later. Shortlisted applicants will get the exact date and venue for their state.

The programme has not published a date for announcing the shortlist. Selected applicants are contacted by email and phone, so use contact details you check often.

Avoid fake application links

• Apply only on youngafricainnovates.ng.
• No application fee is listed on the official site. Do not pay anyone to “submit” or “fast-track” your form.
• The programme does not ask for your bank PIN, card details or passwords.
• For help, use the official contacts: hello@youngafricainnovates.ng or the phone lines listed on the site.

Similar programmes for young innovators

If you are outside the seven Cohort 2 states, or you want more options, look at these:

• The Tony Elumelu Foundation Entrepreneurship Programme, open to young African entrepreneurs.
• The Nigeria Youth Investment Fund (NYIF), which gives loans to young business owners.
• The OPay Innovation Challenge for tech ideas.
• The Agribusiness Product Innovation Support for farm and food ventures.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Young Africa Innovates programme?

It is a UNDP and Mastercard Foundation programme that trains, incubates and supports young Nigerian innovators so their ideas can grow into businesses.

When does Cohort 2 close?

Applications close on 18 November 2026, according to the official site.

Which states are in Cohort 2?

Abia, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Katsina, Niger, Plateau and Taraba. You must live in one of these states.

Do I need a registered business?

No. You can apply with a prototype or working sample. A CAC number is optional.

Is there an application fee?

No fee is listed on the official site. Do not pay anyone to apply for you.

How much grant does Young Africa Innovates give?

No amount has been published. Cohort 1 innovators selected for incubation received seed funding, but the amount was not made public.

Can persons with disabilities apply?

Yes. Persons with disabilities get priority, and the form lets you state any support you need.

This is an independent guide from tpi.com.ng and not an official programme channel. Always confirm details on youngafricainnovates.ng.