Applications are now open for the 2026 AGRA–SMEDANYouth Agri‑InnovationContest. Agriculture employs more young Nigerians than any other sector, yet many agripreneurs struggle to reach advice and capital.
Agriculture employs more young Nigerians than any other sector, yet many agripreneurs struggle to reach advice and capital. We find the strongest youth-led ideas, train them, and put them in front of financiers
Eligibility
- Nigerian youth aged 18 to 35
- Running an agribusiness, or building one
- From any state in Nigeria
- Working in maize, rice, soybean or allied agrifood value chains
- At any stage, from idea to established business
What the programme provides:
- Certified access-to-finance training
- Pitch rounds judged by expert reviewers
- A live Grand Finale and Deal Room with financiers
- Seed capital and support for ten winners
- Six months of mentorship and aftercare for winners.
Benefits
10
winners receive seed capital and support
30
finalists pitch live at the Grand Finale
100+
youths trained in access to finance
6 months of aftercare for winners
Deal Room
Meet the people who fund agribusiness
Banks, development finance institutions, agri-lenders and impact investors.
Showcase
Be seen by financiers
Outstanding innovations are profiled in an Innovation Showcase Register. Every applicant receives feedback.
Training
Certified, in English and Hausa
An eight-module access-to-finance programme that makes youth ventures investable.
Focus areas
Four value chains, one goal.
-
Maize
From field to feed mill
• Rice
Paddy to milled grain
• Soybean
Protein and value addition
-
Allied commodities
Other agrifood value chains
Application Timeline:
- 8 to 16 October: Apply – Apply online in three short stages. Save and continue any time.
- 17 OctoberNationwide: Training – Virtual training for all applicants.
- 21 to 22 October : In-person Training – Two days of in-person training in Niger, Nasarawa and Kaduna.
- 29 October : Pitch & Grand Finale – Hybrid: finalists pitch live, in the room and online.
- 8 to 10 November: National Showcase & Award – The national showcase and award ceremony in Lagos.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested and Qualified candidates should use link below to apply.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
