Deadline: July 8, 2026
Applications are open for the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) Prize for Innovation 2026. The NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI), an initiative of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), is designed to empower entrepreneurs and changemakers whose innovative ideas can drive meaningful social and economic impact.
Designed to nurture ingenuity and accelerate high-potential ventures, NPI provides funding and strategic support to early-stage, growth-driven solutions. Through this initiative, NSIA aims to inspire groundbreaking ideas that enhance productivity, strengthen industries, and deliver lasting social impact in Nigeria and beyond.
The programme will focus on innovative startups in the following sectors:
- Healthcare
- Manufacturing
- Climate & Food Security
Prizes
- NSIA Prize for Innovation valued at $220,000.
- Cascador Prize for Impact valued at $45,000.
- Wema Bank Enterprise Prize valued at $10,000.
- A fully sponsored training with a partner institution.
- An opportunity to secure between US$500,000 and US$1,500,000 in equity investment from Pula Xcelerator for mature businesses.
- Opportunity to secure a place at the National Finals of Wema Bank’s Hackaholics and compete for over ₦100 million in equity-free grant funding.
Eligibility
- One of the founders must be a Nigerian Citizen.
- Applicants must be 18 years or older.
- Applicants must be running innovative and social impact-driven startups.
- The startup should have operated for not less than six months and be operating in or within Nigeria.
- The startup should be looking to raise a seed round.
- The startup should have developed a Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
- Applicants must be willing and able to commit to a 4-week fast-track accelerator programme.
- Only one application is permitted per applicant irrespective of the sector. Subsequent applications will be disqualified.
- The startups of the top 10 finalists must be registered in Nigeria.
Application
For more information, visit NSIA Prize for Innovation.
