Youth Innovation Takes the Stage: Young Africa Innovates Programme Launches Statewide Showcases Across Nigeria

The Young Africa Innovates Programme is entering an exciting new phase with the launch of State Innovation Showcases, a major public mobilization to spotlight the revolutionary force of Nigeria’s youth. Set to take place across seven states in December, these showcases will celebrate young innovators who are building solutions that tackle real community challenges.

This flagship initiative, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is actively channeling resources to support and multiply youth-led solutions, transforming them into catalysts for widespread and inclusive socio-economic progress.

The journey began with over 9,000 youth-led applications, which were narrowed down to 1,348 participants who joined intensive bootcamps focused on refining their ideas, understanding business models, and learning how to design for impact. From this group, 205 outstanding innovators were selected to enter a rigorous Stage Gating phase—a critical incubation period tailored to help them test, validate, and scale their solutions.

Over the past four months, these young innovators have participated in a dynamic mix of residency workshops, one-on-one mentorship, and peer-to-peer learning circles. They’ve developed minimum viable products, refined business strategies, built partnerships, and strengthened their market access while gaining confidence as local changemakers.

With a strong focus on inclusion, over 70% of selected innovators are women and 14% are persons with disabilities, showcasing a new generation of problem-solvers that reflect Nigeria’s diversity. The State Innovation Showcases will run from December 4 to December 18 in Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna, Kwara, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, and Borno. These events will provide dynamic platforms for innovators to pitch their solutions, exhibit their prototypes, and connect directly with ecosystem players, including government representatives, investors, private sector partners, academia, and civil society.

From solar cooperatives to digital escrow platforms, sustainable dish care to localized banking for underserved communities, climate solutions to inclusive fintech tools and agro-logistics systems—these innovations have been nurtured through a model that equips youth with design thinking, market readiness, business development, and critical peer learning skills.

Each showcase will feature:

● Innovation Exhibition Booths: Live demonstrations of solutions ranging from tech prototypes to eco-solutions, digital tools, and creative ventures
● Pitch Sessions: Selected innovators will present directly to stakeholders, state leaders, and development partners
● Fireside Chats: Conversations between innovators, government officials, and industry experts focused on aligning policy, business, and community support
● Partnership Conversations: On-the-spot commitments and follow-up opportunities
● Media Coverage: Extensive coverage across TV, print, radio, and online platforms
A Vision for Inclusive Innovation

“Innovation isn’t just about technology; it’s about solving real problems that affect real people,” said Ms. Elsie G. Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria. “The State Showcase is a celebration of young people doing exactly that: building climate solutions, inclusive fintech tools, waste-to-wealth platforms, agro-logistics systems, and more. Listening to the wide range of innovations from healthcare to agriculture and more, what stands out is how much this journey has built the confidence of our young innovators. Many of them shared how the process brought clarity to their ideas and helped them form critical connections.”

Ms. Attafuah added, “What’s especially inspiring is our joint focus with the Mastercard Foundation on supporting atypical innovators—young people from underserved communities, including women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups. And what excites us even more is that we’re not just stopping here. We’re connecting these young innovators to Nigeria’s broader innovation ecosystem, ensuring they have a platform to grow, scale and lead lasting change.”

The Young Africa Innovates Programme stands as the catalyst for UNDP and Mastercard Foundation’s shared vision to enable dignified and fulfilling work for young people, particularly those systematically excluded from innovation. As Nigeria seeks to build a knowledge economy and resilient society, these showcases demonstrate what is possible when youth are trusted, funded, and supported to lead the way.