We are excited to announce the young innovators who have been selected to advance into the Stage Gating Phase of the Young Africa Innovates Programme, a bold initiative by the Mastercard Foundation in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). 

These exceptional individuals represent the next generation of problem-solvers; young Nigerians who are not only envisioning a better future but actively building the tools to achieve it. Over 1,000 young innovators were trained across intensive statewide bootcamps, leading to the selection of 210 standout participants for the Stage Gating Phase. These innovators were chosen for their creativity, community insight, and commitment to tackling real challenges through scalable solutions. 

They are drawn from seven states across Nigeria: Akwa Ibom, Anambra, Borno, Ekiti, Kaduna, Kwara and Lagos. Each state selected for its strategic relevance and sectoral potential. Together, these innovators form a vibrant and diverse cohort tackling real-world problems across six critical sectors: education, healthcare, financial inclusion, commerce, tourism, and the creative economy. Whether it's bringing solar power to underserved households in Borno, transforming access to healthcare in Ekiti, or building tech-driven commerce solutions in Anambra, each innovator brings a unique perspective shaped by lived experience and local realities. 

The Stage Gating Phase offers selected young changemakers a 4-month incubation journey to test, refine, and scale their ideas with expert mentorship, peer learning circles, technical support and catalytic funding. This phase equips them to grow their innovations and connects them to a broader ecosystem of partners, investors and changemakers across Nigeria and Africa 

Through their ideas, resilience and boldness, these young innovators remind us that Africa’s future will be built by the hands of its youth and that innovation, when made accessible to all, has the power to transform entire communities. 

What is the Young Africa Innovates Programme? 

Young Africa Innovates aims to catalyze youth-led innovations that drive socio-economic transformation in Nigeria. The programme identifies, incubates, and scales high-potential ideas, especially from traditionally marginalized communities, ensuring that no one is left behind in building solutions that matter. 

About the Stage Gating Phase 

The Stage Gating Phase is a 5-month incubation journey (August–December 2025) designed to help innovators validate, refine, and scale their solutions. 

Participants will receive: 

The goal? To equip local innovators with the tools, networks, and confidence to build inclusive, scalable innovations that create dignified work and systemic impact. 

How Were They Selected? 

The selection was carried out through a rigorous 3-step process: