May 7, 2025 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNLEASH have signed a new partnershipto boost youth innovation across Africa through the timbuktoo University Innovation Pods (UniPods). This strategic alliance aims to support timbuktoo's ambition of reaching and equipping more than 10,000 young changemakers and supporting the scaling of 1,000 youth-led startups through a shared innovation pipeline.

Building on an shared mission to harness youth creativity for sustainable development, timbuktoo and UNLEASH will co-host a series of Hacks and Innovation Labs focused on fostering creative, community-driven solutions to local SDG challenges.

“Youth across Africa are not waiting for change — they are making it happen. This partnership between UNDP and UNLEASH is about standing with them, creating space for their ideas to grow, and giving them the tools to lead,” said Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant UN Secretary General and Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa. “Together with UNLEASH, we’re building platforms where young changemakers can imagine, prototype, and bring their solutions to life. Africa is full of energy, talent, and ideas - we must keep investing in youth innovation to shape the future.” 

Launched at Davos in January 2024, the timbuktoo initiative addresses critical gaps in Africa’s startup ecosystem by connecting governments, investors, corporations, and universities through a network of thematic innovation hubs and UniPods. Through this partnership, UNDP through the timbuktoo initiative and UNLEASH will co-deliver Hacks and Innovation Labs, provide prototyping and mentorship support, facilitate talent and expert exchange, coordinate joint communications to showcase youth innovation, and collaborate on resource mobilization for shared initiatives.

At UNLEASH, we believe that the creativity and determination of young people are among the world’s most powerful resources for sustainable development. This partnership with UNDP and the timbuktu initiative is a bold step toward UNLEASHING that potential across the African continent. We are proud to co-create a future where Africa’s youth can lead transformative change from the ground up and thrive as global problem-solvers,” said Prof. Flemming Besenbacher, Chairperson at UNLEASH.

UNLEASH Hacks 2025

To launch the partnership, eight UNLEASH Hacks will be hosted in UniPods, high-tech makerspaces embedded in top public universities located in Benin, Botswana, Côte d’Ivoire, Lesotho, Mauritania, Rwanda, Uganda, and Zambia, mobilizing around 350 youth between May and June. These spaces will host the first cycle of UNLEASH Hacks, where youth from each region will come together for a 2-day innovation sprint to learn how the UNLEASH Methodology, based on user-centric design thinking principles, can catalyze impact. The program aims to equip youth with skills to frame problems and identify the root causes of sustainability challenges, and brainstorm solutions to address them. 

At the end of the program, participants will use the UNLEASH Methodology, based on user-centric design thinking, to identify sustainability challenges and ideate potential solutions. They will pitch their early-stage ideas to a panel of judges and peers. Afterward, participants will join the UNLEASH Innovation Hub, where they can gain access to innovation content and connect with a global community of over 9,000 changemakers from 180 nationalities.

This partnership reaffirms UNDP and UNLEASH’s shared commitment to youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. Together, they are creating the conditions for African youth to thrive, generate solutions, and lead lasting change.

Join the Movement

Check the UNLEASH Hacks happening in UniPods here and follow UNLEASH and timbuktoo’s social media platforms to stay tuned on when the applications open!

About UNLEASH:  UNLEASH is a global initiative committed to bringing youth together to share ideas, build networks and develop innovative and scalable solutions to co-create a sustainable future. Our mission is to accelerate positive change by mobilizing young talented people in community leadership, problem-solving, and launching social and environmental solutions. 

For more information, visit unleash.org.

About timbuktoo: timbuktoo is the world’s largest initiative supporting Africa's innovation ecosystem. With ten thematic hubs across the continent, timbuktoo provides resources, expertise, and funding to young entrepreneurs to accelerate their impact. Guided by the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), timbuktoo’s vision is to equip Africa’s youth to lead the next wave of global innovation in sectors such as HealthTech, MineTech, Agritech, Fintech, ClimateTech, ManuTech, and more. 

For more information, visit timbuktoo Africa. 

About UNDP: UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and the planet. Learn more at undp.org or follow at @UNDP.

Media Contact:

Oluwagbemisola Fagbemi

Communications and Liaison Officer, UNDP Bureau for Africa

Oluwagbemisola.fagbemi@undp.org

Ana Jiménez

Communications Lead, UNLEASH 

aj@unleash.org