Young Africa Innovates, supported by the Mastercard Foundation and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), is inviting experienced professionals to express interest in supporting Cohort 2 innovators as they develop, test and scale their businesses.
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The programme is seeking facilitators, mentors and industry experts to provide specialised support to participating innovators. Applicants should carefully choose the role matching their experience and availability.
Facilitators
The facilitator role is expected to last two months. Selected experts will guide innovators through human-centred design and community user research, lead practical workshops on rapid prototyping and minimum viable product (MVP) testing, and explain business tools in accessible ways. They will also consider local languages and accessibility needs while helping innovators connect their solutions with market demand and commercial viability. Facilitators are expected to support practical work and tangible business outputs, not simply deliver workshops.
Mentors
Mentor engagements are expected to run over eight months on a staggered basis. Mentors will provide ongoing, tailored guidance as founders address strategic, practical and personal challenges in building a venture. Responsibilities include helping innovators set weekly actions, maintain accountability, track progress, solve emerging problems, document deliverables and prepare for progression to the next stage and its financial tranche. Relevant industry insight and encouragement are also part of the role.
Industry experts
Industry experts are also expected to support innovators over a staggered eight-month period. They will provide specialist guidance at key points to address regulatory, technical and financial gaps. Their input is intended to help entrepreneurs build sustainable businesses, respond to community needs and contribute to job creation and economic growth in their states.
The programme is seeking professionals whose experience can help early-stage innovators turn ideas into viable solutions. Applicants should review the responsibilities carefully and choose the category that matches their expertise, capacity and availability. The notice does not specify remuneration, so applicants should confirm any engagement terms directly with the organisers.
How to apply
Interested professionals should visit the official Young Africa Innovates expression-of-interest portal at https://youngafricainnovates.ng/experts/interest/sign-in. Applicants can save their progress and return later; the form is not submitted until they choose to submit it. Review your information before final submission.
