Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Cohort 2 — UNDP & Mastercard Foundation Open Applications for Nigerian Innovators (13 States)
If you're a young Nigerian innovator aged 18–35 with a working prototype or disruptive solution to a real community problem, Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Cohort 2 is one of the most credible, well-backed opportunities you'll find — jointly run by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mastercard Foundation.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, announced the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme, Cohort 2 call for applications, on September 1, 2026. YAI is a flagship innovation and entrepreneurship programme designed to identify, incubate, and scale high-potential innovations developed by young Nigerians.
The programme focuses specifically on atypical innovators — young people from underserved communities, young women, and persons with disabilities — whose ideas have the potential to solve pressing community challenges, but who lack access to the financing, networks, mentorship, and technical support to grow.
What Is Young Africa Innovates (YAI)?
The YAI programme is building a pipeline of innovators capable of developing commercially viable solutions while contributing to inclusive economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones.
Cohort 1's track record speaks for itself: the inaugural cohort received more than 9,000 applications from across the country. Following a rigorous selection process, 205 innovators were successfully incubated across seven states (Borno, Ekiti, Kwara, Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna, and Akwa Ibom), receiving comprehensive support including innovation development, business incubation, entrepreneurial training, mentorship, commercialization support, and market readiness interventions. This culminated in the creation of 815 employment opportunities across the country.
What's New in Cohort 2?
Building on Cohort 1's success, the programme is expanding to 6 additional states, bringing the total footprint to 13 states. In addition to the existing Cohort 1 states, Cross River, Abia, Taraba, Niger, Katsina, and Plateau have been added for Cohort 2 (alongside Akwa Ibom, which appears in both cohort lists).
Through close collaboration with state governments, innovation hubs, universities, private sector partners, development institutions, and investors, the programme aims to establish vibrant state-level innovation ecosystems supporting entrepreneurs from idea generation through to commercial scale.
What Does the Programme Offer?
Selected innovators will gain access to:
- World-class incubation and entrepreneurship support
- Technical mentorship and business advisory services
- Product and prototype refinement
- Market readiness and commercialization support
- Access to innovation networks and strategic partnerships
- Exposure to investors, grant opportunities, and financing pathways
- Opportunities to showcase innovations nationally and internationally
The programme also provides tailored support to help innovators strengthen route-to-market strategies, improve business competitiveness, and position themselves for sustainable growth.
Is This a Grant, a Loan, or Something Else?
This is a comprehensive incubation and business-development programme — not a straightforward cash grant or loan. The core value is in structured support (mentorship, technical assistance, market access), with the programme also providing exposure to grant opportunities and financing pathways rather than direct cash to every participant.
Who Can Apply?
Applications are open to:
- Young Nigerians aged 18–35 years, particularly from underserved communities, young women, and persons with disabilities
- Individuals with disruptive solutions, prototypes, or working samples addressing community, national, or development challenges
- Innovators committed to transforming their ideas into sustainable ventures capable of delivering measurable social and economic impact
Eligible sectors span agriculture, climate action, health, education, manufacturing, digital technology, financial inclusion, renewable energy, the creative economy, and other development-focused industries.
What You Need Before Applying
1. A Working Prototype or Sample — Idea-stage concepts without any tangible progress are less likely to compete; a prototype or working sample strengthens your application significantly.
2. A Clear Problem Statement — Be ready to articulate the community, national, or development challenge your innovation addresses.
3. Evidence of Commitment — Show genuine intent to build this into a sustainable venture, not just a one-off idea.
4. State of Residence Confirmation — Make sure you're located in one of the 13 participating states (7 from Cohort 1 plus the 6 new Cohort 2 additions).
How to Apply for YAI Cohort 2
Step 1 — Confirm Your Eligibility
Check your age (18–35), state of residence, and whether your innovation fits one of the eligible sectors.
Step 2 — Visit the Official Application Portal
👉 https://youngafricainnovates.ng/
Step 3 — Review Eligibility Criteria and Guidelines
The official site provides detailed eligibility criteria, application guidelines, and relevant programme information.
Step 4 — Prepare Your Application Materials
Document your innovation, prototype/sample, and the problem it solves clearly.
Step 5 — Submit Your Application
Applications opened September 1, 2026 — submit through the official portal.
Step 6 — Await Selection
Given Cohort 1 received over 9,000 applications for 205 spots, expect a competitive, rigorous selection process.
Where to Apply
Official Application Portal:
👉 https://youngafricainnovates.ng/
Official UNDP Press Release:
Eligible States for Cohort 2
Borno, Ekiti, Kwara, Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Abia, Taraba, Niger, Katsina, and Plateau.
Important Notes
- This is genuinely one of the most credibly backed opportunities available — co-run by UNDP and the Mastercard Foundation,with named officials and direct contact emails published on the official press release.
- Beware of scams/fraud impersonating this programme. UNDP explicitly maintains a "Scam Alert" page and fraud-reporting channel — given how high-profile this programme is, watch for copycat sites or individuals falsely claiming to represent YAI. Only use the official portal: youngafricainnovates.ng
- Given Cohort 1's 9,000+ applicants for 205 spots, this is highly competitive — a working prototype and clear articulation of impact matter significantly.
Tips for a Strong Application
Show Tangible Progress, Not Just an Idea — The programme explicitly seeks disruptive solutions, prototypes, or working samples — move beyond concept stage if you can.
Emphasize Community Impact — Since the programme prioritizes atypical innovators solving pressing community challenges, be specific about who benefits and how.
Highlight Underrepresentation Where Genuine — The programme specifically prioritizes young people from underserved communities, young women, and persons with disabilities.
Demonstrate Commercial Viability — Since YAI aims to build a pipeline of commercially viable solutions, be ready to explain your path to sustainability, not just social impact.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying without a prototype or working sample when one is achievable.
- Applying from a state outside the 13 participating states.
- Applying outside the 18–35 age range.
- Falling for unofficial or copycat application links — use only youngafricainnovates.ng.
- Submitting a vague problem statement without clear evidence of the challenge being addressed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this a legitimate programme?
Yes — this is a direct, official UNDP and Mastercard Foundation initiative, announced via UNDP's own press release with named contacts.
Do I need a fully developed business to apply?
No, but you need a disruptive solution, prototype, or working sample — pure idea-stage concepts without any tangible development are less competitive.
What states are eligible for Cohort 2?
Borno, Ekiti, Kwara, Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Abia, Taraba, Niger, Katsina, and Plateau.
What's the age range?
18 to 35 years old.
Is there a fee to apply?
No indication of any fee — be cautious of anyone claiming otherwise, and report suspected fraud via UNDP's official Scam Alert page.
Where do I apply?
👉 https://youngafricainnovates.ng/
Official Links
Application Portal:
https://youngafricainnovates.ng/
UNDP Official Press Release:
UNDP Scam Alert Page:
https://www.undp.org/scam-alert
Programme Contacts
Ifeyinwa Egwaoje, Project Manager (UNDP): Ifeyinwa.egwaoje@undp.org
Christabel Chanda-Ginsberg (UNDP Nigeria): christabel.chanda-ginsberg@undp.org
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