Deadline: September 7, 2026
Applications are open for the NourishNext West Africa Youth Agrifood Innovation Challenge 2026. This is a regional innovation challenge, led by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) in partnership with the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement and national implementing partners across Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal. The initiative is implemented with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
NourishNext identifies, supports, and accelerates youth-led innovations that strengthen nutritious fruit and vegetable value chains across West Africa. The Challenge seeks innovative solutions that improve how fruits and vegetables are processed, preserved, packaged, transported, marketed, distributed, purchased, prepared, and consumed, contributing to more resilient, inclusive, and nutrition-sensitive food systems.
Competition Categories
- Value addition and processing innovations that enhance fruit and vegetable value chains
- Integration of Local Produce of fruits and vegetables in Public Nutrition and Social Protection Systems
- Strengthened market and supply chain solutions for fruits and vegetables, that improve their supply, safety, and desirability
- Consumer Demand and Healthy Diet Behaviour Change for increased consumption of fruits and vegetables
Benefits
- Selected innovators will receive USD $5,000 in seed funding, tailored technical mentorship from industry experts, capacity-building opportunities, and access to national and regional networking and showcasing platforms.
- Finalists will have the opportunity to present their innovations at the NourishNext West Africa Regional Showcase in Dakar, Senegal, in 2026, connecting with policymakers, investors, development partners, and private sector leaders.
Eligibility
- Open to youth-led enterprises and innovators aged 18 to 35 years, who are based in and primarily operating within Benin, Nigeria, Senegal, or Côte d’Ivoire. This age limit is flexible for women-led enterprises/ set-ups, for women up to the age of 40 years.
- Your innovation must directly address at least one of the four competition categories mentioned and operate within or in direct support of fruit and the vegetable value chains.
Application
You need a completed online application form (all sections), proof of age of the lead applicant (national ID, passport, or birth certificate), and evidence of operational stage — photos, customer testimonials, financial records, or a pilot report etc.
For more information, visit NourishNext West Africa Youth Agrifood Innovation Challenge.
