A dynamic youth-led organisation, iCOVE, is set to kick off the new year with a major initiative aimed at empowering young minds across Africa. The group has announced the launch of the Tariq Lawal Innovation Challenge in January 2026, created in partnership with Diana Award recipient and United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Commonwealth Youth Ambassador, Tariq Lawal.
A Platform for Young Problem-Solvers
This competition is specifically designed for teenagers, providing a structured platform for them to create, develop, and present ideas with real-world impact. The goal is to give participants early exposure to the core principles of innovation, entrepreneurship, and problem-solving. Reflecting a strong appetite for such opportunities, the organisers revealed that the inaugural edition has already seen significant interest, with over 60 sign-ups recorded even before the official launch.
Founded by Charis Dawari-George and Kome Omugbe, iCOVE is rapidly establishing itself as a fresh and influential player in Africa's innovation landscape. The organisation operates on a powerful core belief: that teenagers and young people are not just future innovators but are capable of being active contributors today. Officially registered with Nigeria’s Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), iCOVE has evolved into a broad ecosystem of brands, programmes, and communities all focused on equipping young Africans to tackle contemporary and future challenges.
Remarkable Growth Led by Youth
The impact of iCOVE in a short time has been substantial. In less than one year of operation, the organisation reports reaching over 15,000 individuals and raising more than ₦1.2 million through sponsorships, donations, and brand revenue. Its influence extends across multiple African countries. Perhaps most strikingly, iCOVE is run by a core team of eight, with all administrative members aged 17 or younger, positioning it as one of the continent's youngest-led innovation entities.
Leading the charge is Charis, the Chief Executive Officer, a prominent youth advocate who argues that age should not limit execution or ambition. He is supported by key team members including Emmanuel Umar, Makayla Lawal, and Ini Adedokun. Beyond its programmes, iCOVE is noted for its distinctive minimalist and cinematic branding, a deliberate aesthetic choice meant to frame youth-led innovation as bold, premium, and globally relevant.
A Multi-Faceted Innovation Ecosystem
iCOVE's work spans several interconnected areas:
- iCOVE Brand: The lifestyle and creative arm, which includes a perfume line and youth-focused collaborations. It has partnered with entities like MIDOMO and Chazone Academy to broaden access to tech and entrepreneurship education.
- iCOVE Branch: A community extension currently active in Abuja and Lagos, with plans for wider expansion. Young people are encouraged to start branches in their own schools or communities.
- Form v1: An AI-powered software built for teenagers to simplify the process of launching app-based startup ideas within minutes.
- The iCOVE Community: A foundational group of over 80 active members, serving as a stepping stone toward the goal of becoming Africa’s largest innovation community by 2028.
Looking forward, iCOVE plans to launch the iCOVE Foundry in 2026, a structured accelerator to help young founders build sustainable businesses from early-stage ideas. The organisation also runs events and media projects like The iCOVE Event and the iCHAMBER documentary series, alongside digital art fundraisers and workshops.
Having collaborated with organisations such as Avetium Consult and Tech Ignite Africa, iCOVE is now casting its vision toward an ambitious 2030 goal: building The COVE, a physical hub for innovation, tourism, and empowerment described as Africa’s Silicon Valley. With its motto, “The next generation builds what’s next,” iCOVE is actively calling for sponsors, partners, volunteers, and young innovators to join its mission of shaping Africa's future through youth-led innovation.
