Curated opportunities. One place.

Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge 2026

Grants of up to $15,000 for entrepreneurs aged 18-30 leading ventures already delivering measurable social or environmental impact aligned with a UN Sustainable Development Goal.

Who runs this: Social Shifters

Pan-African

Next step: Submit your application via the Social Shifters Global Innovation Challenge page — an operational project with evidence of impact is required.

Deadline: 2026-08-31

Google Africa Applied AI Lab 2026

A programme pairing African founders and AI researchers with Google experts to turn AI research into commercially viable products, based at the Accra AI Community Centre. No equity required.

Who runs this: Google

Pan-African

Next step: Apply via the Google Africa Applied AI Lab programme page — priority given to founders with pre-seed to Series A traction.

Deadline: 2026-08-31

Google for Startups Accelerator: South Africa 2026

A three-month hybrid accelerator for growth-stage South African tech startups, offering up to R1 million in non-dilutive funding plus mentorship and Google Cloud credits.

Who runs this: Google for Startups

South Africa

Next step: Apply directly via the Google for Startups Accelerator South Africa programme page before the deadline.

Deadline: 2026-08-28

Social Enterprise Fund 2026

Seed funding of UGX 500,000 to 5 million for Ugandan university students with early-stage social enterprise ideas addressing community challenges.

Who runs this: Federation of Uganda Social Enterprises (FUSE)

Uganda

Next step: Apply through your FUSE Social Enterprise Campus Hub — a Campus Hub Coordinator recommendation letter is required.

Deadline: 2026-08-26

UNESCO-UNEVOC Skills in Action Photo Competition 2026

A global photography competition (open to ages 18+) celebrating technical and vocational education and training, with prizes up to $750 across four categories.

Who runs this: UNESCO-UNEVOC

Pan-African

Next step: Submit up to four photographs (one per category) via the UNESCO-UNEVOC competition page.

Deadline: 2026-08-31

Chevening UK Government Scholarships 2027

Fully-funded UK master's degree scholarships for emerging leaders worldwide, covering tuition, living expenses, and travel, open to applicants from across Africa.

Who runs this: UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office

Pan-African

Next step: Register and apply directly at chevening.org — a strong leadership narrative and two references are typically required.

Deadline: 2026-10-06

Youth Employment Agency (YEA) — Skills Training Modules

Government skills training and job placement programme across trade areas including general modules, garment and apparel, and other sector-specific tracks, plus a jobs portal connecting youth to employers.

Who runs this: Youth Employment Agency (YEA), Government of Ghana

Ghana

Next step: Register at apply.yea.gov.gh, selecting the module matching your interest.

SA Youth Network

A free, zero-rated national platform connecting young South Africans to jobs, learnerships, volunteering, and learning opportunities — including access to the YES programme and other Presidential Youth Employment Intervention pathways.

Who runs this: National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) and the Presidency, Government of South Africa

South Africa

Next step: Register at sayouth.mobi or visit the NYDA site to check current opportunities in your province.

National Youth Service (NYS) Programme — Phase V

A Presidential Youth Employment Intervention programme unlocking 100,000 paid youth service opportunities across all nine provinces, combining community service, work experience, skills development, and pathways to sustainable livelihoods.

Who runs this: National Youth Development Agency (NYDA), Government of South Africa

South Africa

Next step: Check for National NYS Roadshow dates in your province, or visit the NYDA site for current application windows.

YES — Youth Employment Service

A private-sector-led programme connecting unemployed youth (18-35) with host companies for 12-month structured, paid work experience — over 200,000 placements to date across more than 350 partner corporates.

Who runs this: Youth Employment Service (YES), a South African non-profit corporation

South Africa

Next step: Register at yes4youth.co.za/for-youth to be matched with a host company.

FDRE Jobs Creation Commission

The federal body coordinating, governing, and monitoring government and non-government job creation efforts across Ethiopia, directing investment toward high-growth sectors and aligning skills development with market needs.

Who runs this: Jobs Creation Commission, Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia (under the Office of the Prime Minister)

Ethiopia

Next step: Visit jobscommission.gov.et for current initiatives and partner programmes in your region.

Ministry of Labor and Skills — Overseas Employment Facilitation

A government-facilitated pathway for overseas employment, aiming to place hundreds of thousands of Ethiopian citizens annually in foreign jobs while overseeing worker safety, benefits, and rights protections.

Who runs this: Ministry of Labor and Skills (MoLS), Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia

Ethiopia

Next step: Visit mols.gov.et for current overseas employment application procedures and safety guidance.

CTVET — Technical and Vocational Institutions Directory

The official directory of accredited technical and vocational education and training institutions and programmes across Ghana, covering trade areas from engineering to hospitality to agriculture under the National TVET Qualifications Framework.

Who runs this: Commission for Technical and Vocational Education and Training (CTVET), Government of Ghana

Ghana

Next step: Browse ctvet.gov.gh to find an accredited TVET institution and programme near you.

Adwumawura Programme

A national youth entrepreneurship initiative combining 5 weeks of intensive entrepreneurial training with 6 months of structured post-training mentorship, followed by grant funding for high-potential businesses — over 10,000 beneficiaries trained to date.

Who runs this: National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), Government of Ghana

Ghana

Next step: Check adwumawura.neip.gov.gh for the next cohort application window.

3MTT — Three Million Technical Talent

Federal Government digital skills training programme aiming to train 3 million Nigerians in areas like software development, data science, and cybersecurity, with employment facilitation support after training.

Who runs this: National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Government of Nigeria

Nigeria

Next step: Register and check open cohort intake dates at 3mtt.nitda.gov.ng.

NiYA Startup Grants — Nigerian Youth Academy

Federal Government non-repayable startup grants for youth-led businesses, including a separate, more accessible tier specifically for informal-sector entrepreneurs.

Who runs this: Federal Ministry of Youth Development / Nigerian Youth Academy (NiYA), Government of Nigeria

Nigeria

Next step: Check eligibility and current application windows at niya.gov.ng.

TVET Initiative — Technical and Vocational Education and Training

Federal Government scheme offering tuition-free technical and vocational training (trades like electrical work, mechanics, ICT, construction) with a monthly stipend for participants during training.

Who runs this: Federal Ministry of Education, Government of Nigeria

Nigeria

Next step: Apply at tvet.education.gov.ng — early application is encouraged given limited training slots.

NextGen.Ke Youth Employment Programme

A UNDP and Government of Kenya partnership placing university and college graduates into structured 12-month private-sector placements with stipends, covering AI, leadership, management, and professional development training alongside real work experience.

Who runs this: UNDP Kenya, National Treasury and Economic Planning, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)

Kenya

Next step: Contact UNDP Kenya or KEPSA directly for current cohort application windows — this programme is actively expanding as of 2026.

NYOTA — National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement

A five-year, World Bank-funded Government of Kenya initiative aiming to reach 820,000 vulnerable unemployed youth through apprenticeships, certification of existing skills, entrepreneurship grants, digital skills training, and a savings scheme.

Who runs this: Government of Kenya / State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy

Kenya

Next step: Visit nyotaproject.go.ke or youth.go.ke to check registration status and eligibility for your county.

KYEOP — Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project

Government of Kenya and World Bank programme offering trade training with internships or Master Craftsman apprenticeships, business start-up grants up to KSh 3.6 million, and digital entrepreneurship training — targeted at youth with secondary education or less.

Who runs this: Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), Government of Kenya

Kenya

Next step: Visit kyeop.go.ke to find active intake locations (available in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and other counties).

NYOTA — National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement

A five-year, World Bank-funded Government of Kenya initiative aiming to reach 820,000 vulnerable unemployed youth through apprenticeships, certification of existing skills, entrepreneurship grants, digital skills training, and a savings scheme.

Who runs this: Government of Kenya / State Department for Youth Affairs and Creative Economy

Kenya

Next step: Visit nyotaproject.go.ke or youth.go.ke to check registration status and eligibility for your county.

KYEOP — Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project

Government of Kenya and World Bank programme offering trade training with internships or Master Craftsman apprenticeships, business start-up grants up to KSh 3.6 million, and digital entrepreneurship training — targeted at youth with secondary education or less.

Who runs this: Micro and Small Enterprises Authority (MSEA), Government of Kenya

Kenya

Next step: Visit kyeop.go.ke to find active intake locations (available in Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, and other counties).

NextGen.Ke Youth Employment Programme

A UNDP and Government of Kenya partnership placing university and college graduates into structured 12-month private-sector placements with stipends, covering AI, leadership, management, and professional development training alongside real work experience.

Who runs this: UNDP Kenya, National Treasury and Economic Planning, Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA)

Kenya

Next step: Contact UNDP Kenya or KEPSA directly for current cohort application windows — this programme is actively expanding as of 2026.

Rwanda Youth Centre — Entrepreneurship & Vocational Training

District-level youth centres offering entrepreneurship training, vocational skills, ICT access, and business support — a starting point regardless of your education level.

Who runs this: Ministry of Youth — District Youth Centres

Rwanda

Musanze District

Next step: Visit your district's Youth Centre in person to ask what programmes are currently running — services and schedules vary by district.

Vision Umurenge Programme (VUP)

Rwanda's long-running social protection and livelihoods programme — public works employment, direct support, and financial services for the most vulnerable households.

Who runs this: Ministry of Local Government (MINALOC)

Rwanda

Next step: Ask at your Sector office (Umurenge) whether you qualify for current VUP public works or financial support components.

Skills Development Fund — Short-Term Technical Training

Employer-led short-term training and apprenticeships in technical skills matched to real labour market demand, delivered through Rwanda Polytechnic and TVET schools nationally.

Who runs this: Rwanda Polytechnic / Skills Development Fund

Rwanda

Next step: Contact your nearest IPRC (Integrated Polytechnic Regional College) or TVET school to ask about current Skills Development Fund-supported short courses.

Join or Form a Youth Cooperative

Cooperatives pool resources and bargaining power for people who can't access capital alone — common in agriculture, crafts, and small trade across Rwanda.

Who runs this: Rwanda Cooperative Agency (RCA)

Rwanda

Next step: Contact your sector or district RCA office to find active cooperatives accepting new members, or to learn the process of registering a new one.

YEGO Vocational Skills Training (Tailoring, Hairdressing, Hospitality)

Hands-on training in tailoring and fashion design, hairdressing and salon management, or hospitality and hotel service — each preparing you for self-employment or direct job placement.

Who runs this: YEGO Centres (e.g. Kimisagara YEGO Center, and other district centres)

Rwanda

Next step: Contact your nearest YEGO Centre to ask about current intake dates for these vocational tracks.

YEGO Employability Programme

Rwanda's national youth employment platform: job announcements, internship listings, personalized career guidance, CV writing and interview preparation, and networking with employers.

Who runs this: YEGO (Ministry of Youth, Government of Rwanda)

Rwanda

Next step: Visit yego.gov.rw or your nearest YEGO/Youth Centre to register and access job listings and career guidance.

AfCFTA Export Readiness Grant

Support for SMEs preparing to export within the African Continental Free Trade Area.

Deadline: 2026-09-30

Mastercard Foundation Scholars Programme

Scholarships for young African leaders across partner universities.

Deadline: 2026-10-01

Rwanda ICT Chamber Innovation Challenge

Annual challenge for early-stage tech ventures solving local problems.

Deadline: 2026-08-15