Zambia, 29th June 2026 — The United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) timbuktoo Initiative has opened applications for MineTech startups to join the Pan-African Incubation Network.

The timbuktoo MineTech Hub will identify and support startups building technology to make African mining safer, cleaner and more transparent — from equipment that protects artisanal miners, to tools that track where minerals come from, to systems that monitor environmental damage before it spreads.

Mining anchors much of Africa's economy, but the sector is still defined by several complexities including dangerous conditions for artisanal miners, environmental damage that goes unmonitored, opaque supply chains, and mining communities that see little benefit from the resources extracted around them. The MineTech Hub is formed on the steadfast belief that African founders are best placed to solve these problems at scale.

Startups selected for the programme will received structured incubation from accredited incubators inside the timbuktoo network, plus access to mentors, investors and founders across the continent through the timbuktoo digital platform, built to match founders with mentorship, learning resources, and AI-powered guidance as they prepare for investment.

What the programme covers

Applications are welcome from startups working across the mining value chain, including:

• Mine safety technology and workforce protection
• Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) formalization and mechanization
• Mineral traceability and resource governance
• Environmental monitoring and climate resilience
• Lithium-ion battery design and value chain development
• Remote and autonomous mining operations
• Mine dewatering, ventilation and geotechnical risk management
• Market access, trade and financial inclusion for mining-linked businesses

Who can apply

To be eligible, startups must be based in Africa or building solutions for African mining markets. They must also have a working prototype or MVP, a committed team, and a clear answer to a real problem somewhere in the mining value chain. Applications from women-led and youth-led startups are especially encouraged, and from founders working in underserved or mining-affected communities.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with new cohorts admitted every three months. The first cohort begins in July 2026.

Interested startups can submit an application here: https://airtable.com/appYbpSCCV1VosC1M/pagMQfKHj9mIYPFyN/form

About timbuktoo

timbuktoo is UNDP's flagship platform to position Africa as a global leader in innovation, built on a continental network of tech hubs, university innovation pods and ecosystem partners. Over ten years, timbuktoo aims to mobilize US$1 billion, support 10,000 startups, scale 1,000 high-growth enterprises, improve livelihoods for 100 million people, and generate US$10 billion in value across the continent.

The timbuktoo MineTech Hub, hosted in Zambia, is the platform's pan-African centre for mining and mineral governance innovation — working with startups, investors and policymakers to get Mining Tech solutions into the field and accelerate Africa's mining transformation.