Lagos - 30 November 2025 – The Young Africa Innovates Programme is entering an exciting phase: the State Innovation Showcases, a major public mobilization to spotlight the revolutionary force of Nigeria’s youth, which will take place in December. 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. 

Over the past four months, the Young Africa Innovates Programme has provided technical and financial support to over 200 selected young innovators across seven states; Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna, Kwara, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom, and Borno through a tailored incubation and mentorship process. 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, set to run from December 4 to December 18 in these states - Lagos, Anambra, Kaduna, Kwara, Ekiti, Akwa Ibom and Borno will provide a dynamic platform for these 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. Each event is structured to foster visibility, dialogue, and action ensuring that promising innovations are met with pathways to scale. 

“Innovation isn’t just about technology; it’s about solving real problems that affect real people. 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. Elsie G. Attafuah, UNDP Resident Representative in Nigeria 

Ms. Elsie adds, “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’reconnecting these young innovators to Nigeria’s broader innovation ecosystem, ensuring they have a platform to grow, scale and lead lasting change.”  

From solar cooperatives to digital escrow platforms, sustainable dish care to localized banking for underserved communities; these innovations have been nurtured through a Stage-Gating model that equips youth with design thinking, market readiness, business development, and critical peer learning skills. At the core of this model is the belief that innovation should be inclusive, locally rooted, and community driven. 

The State Showcases will feature: 

The Young Africa Innovates Programme stands as the catalyst for UNDP and Mastercard Foundation 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. 

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