All across Nigeria, young innovators are stepping forward with bold ideas, tackling real problems with real solutions. This December, the Young Africa Innovates Programme is putting these ideas front and center through State Showcases that will be held in seven locations: Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna, Kwara, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom and Borno.
Backed by the Mastercard Foundation and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the Programme is not just supporting innovation; its reshaping what innovation looks like, who gets to be part of it and how far it can go.
A Journey of Growth
The journey began with over 6,000 youth-led applications, which were then narrowed down to 1,348 participants who joined bootcamps focused on refining their ideas, understanding business models and learning how to design for impact.
The final 205 outstanding innovators were selected post bootcamp stage to enter the Stage Gating phase; a critical incubation period tailored to help them test, validate and scale their solutions. Over the past few months, they’ve participated in a dynamic mix of residency workshops, one-on-one mentorship and peer-to-peer learning circles. During this time, they’ve developed everything from minimum viable products to refined business strategies, while also building partnerships, strengthening their market access and gaining confidence as local changemakers.
The Purpose of the Showcases
These upcoming State Showcases are more than just exhibitions. They’re platforms for connection between innovators, potential partners, local communities, investors, media, government officials and development institutions. Each event is designed to:
- Raise awareness of locally driven, youth-led innovations solving community challenges.
- Create pathways to investment, mentorship, and partnerships for young innovators.
- Celebrate diversity, especially the inclusion of women and persons with disabilities who make up a significant share of the innovators.
- Spark policy conversations and inspire new commitments to support inclusive innovation.
What Will Happen at Each Showcase?
Here’s what participants and attendees can expect:
- Innovation Exhibition Booths: Innovators will demonstrate their solutions; live and in-person to guests, media, and key stakeholders. These booths offer an up-close view of how the ideas work in real life, from tech prototypes to eco-solutions, digital tools, creative ventures, and more.
- Pitch Sessions: Selected innovators will pitch directly to stakeholders, state leaders and development partners, sharing information about their solution, target market and impact. These pitches will spark interest, support, or follow-up meetings.
- Fireside Chats: Thoughtful conversations between innovators, government officials and industry experts will focus on aligning policy, business and community support to accelerate youth innovation at scale.
- Media and Visibility: There will be coverage by TV, print, radio and online platforms, sharing the stories of young change-makers building solutions that matter.
Why It Matters
The potential of innovative young minds is too often stifled by a lack of access to enabling ecosystems. The strength of this programme lies in its strategic commitment to inclusion, deliberately identifying and catalyzing talent from communities traditionally absent from national innovation dialogues. By prioritizing women, young people from underserved communities, and persons with disabilities, we substantiate the principle that innovation is universal and must be supported as a national priority.
These State Showcases are a way to say: we see you, we value your solutions and we’re here to help you grow
