Call for Implementing Partner for Young Africa Innovates Cohort 2 (Nigeria)

Deadline: 22-Sep-2026

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria is seeking qualified implementing partners for the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Program, Cohort 2, in Niger, Taraba, and Katsina States. The programme will support early-stage entrepreneurs and innovators through scouting, residential bootcamps, incubation, mentorship, and access to resources.

About the Young Africa Innovates Program

The Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Program is implemented by UNDP Nigeria to strengthen entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystems in Niger, Taraba, and Katsina States. Under Cohort 2, UNDP Nigeria is seeking a qualified firm or organisation to serve as the implementing partner and deliver a structured programme for identifying, developing, and accelerating local innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs. The programme combines scouting, bootcamps, incubation, mentorship, and access to relevant resources to help innovators develop their ideas and businesses. What Will the Implementing Partner Do? The selected implementing partner will be responsible for delivering several key components of the programme.

Responsibilities include:

- Developing state-specific inception reports. - Creating a database of screened candidates. - Conducting residential bootcamps for 750 innovators. - Managing the selection and incubation of 200 innovators across the three states. - Coordinating mentors and mentorship activities. - Monitoring programme performance. - Documenting deliverables. - Working in line with UNDP’s technical direction. Entrepreneurship and Innovation Support The programme is designed to identify and nurture early-stage entrepreneurs and startups.

Support will focus on:

- Innovation development. - Entrepreneurial capacity building. - Incubation. - Mentorship. - Skills development. - Accelerator-type support. - Access to relevant resources. - Connections within the entrepreneurship ecosystem. The overall objective is to help local innovators strengthen their ideas and improve their potential for growth. Residential Bootcamps for 750 Innovators The implementing partner will conduct residential bootcamps for 750 innovators across the target states. The bootcamps will provide participants with structured support designed to strengthen their entrepreneurial and innovation capabilities. The programme places particular emphasis on making participation accessible and inclusive. Incubation for 200 Innovators Following the programme’s selection process, 200 innovators will be supported through incubation across Niger, Taraba, and Katsina States. The implementing partner will manage the selection and incubation process and ensure that participants receive appropriate support throughout the programme. Mentorship Support The programme will engage up to 20 mentors for an eight-month period. The implementing partner will be responsible for coordinating the mentors and ensuring their effective deployment.

Responsibilities include:

- Mentor engagement. - Mentor deployment. - Performance monitoring. - Coordination of mentorship activities. - Documentation of deliverables. The mentorship component is intended to provide innovators with continued guidance as they develop their entrepreneurial projects. Inclusion of Women and Persons With Disabilities Diversity and inclusion are important priorities of the Young Africa Innovates programme. The programme specifically supports the participation of: - Women innovators. - Persons with disabilities. Additional services will be provided to improve accessibility during residential bootcamps.

These may include:

- Interpreters. - Guides. - On-site childcare facilities. These measures are intended to reduce barriers to participation and create a more inclusive programme environment. Access to Innovation Resources The programme will also facilitate access to resources that can help innovators develop and test their solutions.

Examples include:

- Cloud credits. - Lab equipment. - Other relevant infrastructure and resources. Transportation stipends, travel allowances, and infrastructure provisioning will also support programme implementation and participation. Financial Support and Reimbursable Costs An amount of NGN 76,500,000 is allocated as a separate reimbursable cost item for the payment of facilitators and travel stipends.

This amount must be:

- Budgeted separately. - Reported independently. - Kept separate from the firm’s professional fees. - Kept separate from administrative fees. Additional financial and operational support is available for transportation stipends, travel allowances, and infrastructure provisioning for innovators. Who Can Apply? UNDP Nigeria is seeking qualified implementing partners with substantial experience in entrepreneurship, innovation, and development programmes.

Eligible applicants may include:

- Firms. - Organisations. - Consortia. - Institutions. Applicants must demonstrate the required technical experience, programme management capacity, and local presence. Experience Requirements Applicants must have a minimum of five years of experience in relevant areas.

This includes experience in:

- Entrepreneurship. - Innovation. - Ecosystem support. - Impact investing. - Development programme management. Applicants should also demonstrate experience managing development programmes at the state level. Incubation and Accelerator Experience Applicants must have experience designing and implementing programmes related to: - Incubation. - Skills development. - Accelerator programmes. - Entrepreneurship support. - Innovation ecosystem development. This experience should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to design and deliver structured support for entrepreneurs and innovators. Local Presence in Target States Applicants should have a strong local presence in Niger, Taraba, and Katsina States. Local knowledge and established relationships can support effective engagement with innovators, stakeholders, institutions, and entrepreneurship ecosystems w