The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation has launched an ambitious statewide tour to showcase youth-led innovations across Nigeria. The Young Africa Innovates Programme is rolling out State Innovation Showcases in seven states, highlighting homegrown solutions to community challenges.
Statewide Tour Schedule and Format
The innovation showcases will take place from December 4 to 18, 2025, moving through Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna, Kwara, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, and Borno states. Each event will feature comprehensive exhibitions, pitch sessions, fireside conversations, and partnership engagements designed to connect young innovators with potential supporters.
Expected participants include government officials, investors, industry leaders, academic representatives, and civil society organizations. This diverse gathering aims to create meaningful connections that can accelerate the growth of youth-led ventures.
From Thousands to Hundreds: The Selection Journey
The programme began with an overwhelming response, receiving more than 9,000 applications from young innovators across Nigeria. Through a rigorous selection process, organizers narrowed this down to 1,348 participants who attended specialized bootcamps focusing on business models, design thinking, and impact planning.
Further screening identified 205 finalists who entered a structured incubation phase. Over the past four months, these selected innovators have participated in intensive residency workshops, one-on-one mentorship sessions, and peer learning opportunities.
During this period, they developed minimum viable products, refined their go-to-market strategies, and established valuable partnerships. The programme demonstrates remarkable inclusion statistics, with over 70% of selected innovators being women and 14% being persons with disabilities.
Diverse Innovations Addressing Critical Challenges
The innovations span multiple critical sectors of the Nigerian economy, including renewable energy solutions, climate resilience technologies, digital financial services, agro-logistics platforms, waste management systems, community banking models, and consumer products.
UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria, Elsie G. Attafuah, emphasized the programme's grassroots approach. "Innovation isn't just about technology; it's about solving real problems that affect real people," she stated. "The State Showcase is a celebration of young people building solutions from climate resilience to inclusive fintech and agro-logistics."
Attafuah highlighted the programme's special focus on supporting innovators from underserved communities, including women and persons with disabilities, while connecting participants to Nigeria's broader innovation ecosystem.
The Young Africa Innovates Programme represents a significant commitment by UNDP and the Mastercard Foundation to expand dignified and productive work opportunities for young Nigerians. Organizers believe these statewide showcases demonstrate the substantial potential of youth-led innovation to contribute to a more resilient and knowledge-driven Nigerian economy.
