The Young Africa Innovates Programme is set to hold State Innovation Showcases across seven Nigerian states this December, spotlighting youth-led solutions to critical community challenges.
The initiative implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation aims to channel funding, mentorship, and technical support into homegrown innovations capable of driving inclusive economic growth.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday, the programme attracted over 9,000 applications from young innovators nationwide. From this pool, 1,348 applicants were admitted into intensive bootcamps focused on business model development, design thinking, and impact-driven solution design. A further 205 standout innovators progressed to the rigorous stage-gating phase, a deep incubation process targeting validation, testing, and scalability.
Over the last four months, participants have undergone residency workshops, mentorship engagements, and peer learning sessions to build minimum viable products, refine business plans, and secure market entry pathways. The programme places strong emphasis on inclusion, with more than 70 per cent of selected innovators being women, and 14 per cent persons with disabilities.
The State Innovation Showcases will take place from December 4 to 18 in Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna, Kwara, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, and Borno. The events will feature pitch sessions, prototype exhibitions, live demonstrations, fireside chats, and partnership conversations connecting innovators with potential investors, government stakeholders, private companies, universities, and civil society groups.
Solutions to be showcased include solar cooperatives, inclusive fintech platforms, agro-logistics systems, climate action tools, sustainable dish-care systems, and community-driven banking models, among others.
“Innovation isn’t just about technology; it’s about solving real problems that affect real people,” said Elsie Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria. “These showcases celebrate young people building solutions across sectors from healthcare to agriculture, while giving them the confidence and connections to grow their ideas.”
Attafuah noted that the programme prioritises underserved groups especially young women and people with disabilities while ensuring innovators are integrated into Nigeria’s broader innovation ecosystem for long-term sustainability.
Positioned as a flagship platform for nurturing Nigeria’s emerging knowledge economy, the Young Africa Innovates Programme provides young people with the resources, mentorship, and exposure needed to convert high-potential ideas into impactful, scalable solutions addressing community needs.
