USPF Changmaker Challenge 2026 for Nigerian Innovators (N10m Cash Prize Pool)

About this deal

The USPF Changemaker Challenge is a national innovation programme by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), designed to discover and support homegrown ICT solutions addressing real challenges in Nigeria's unserved and underserved communities. The challenge invites innovators, teams and early-stage startups from across Nigeria to develop practical solutions in five priority sectors: Agriculture, Education, Healthcare, Financial Inclusion, and Clean and Affordable Energy. Through a nationwide selection process, promising teams will demonstrate how their solutions address identified development problems and finalists will receive structured incubation, including mentorship, technical support, business development. The programme also aims to build a national pipeline of ICT innovations that can inform future digital inclusion initiatives, partnerships and opportunities for technology adoption

How to redeem

1. Applicants must be at least 18 years old.
2. Applicants must be Nigerian citizens or legally resident in Nigeria.
3. Open to innovation teams and early-stage startups. Minimum 2 people per team.
4. Applicants must identify a primary state of operation within Nigeria.
5. Applicants must be available to participate in the full programme.
6. The competition is open to innovation teams and early-stage startups across Nigeria.