The timbuktoo MineTech Hub, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ecosystem partners across six African countries, is inviting young innovators to apply for the Pan-African MineTech Exploration Technology Pre-Incubation Programme.
This challenge-led pre-incubation programme supports multidisciplinary teams in turning early-stage ideas into validated technology solutions that improve how mineral resources are identified, characterised and targeted across Africa.
You do not need a finished product or an established company. A clearly defined idea responding to real-world mineral exploration challenges is enough to apply.
Programme Overview
Africa holds a significant share of the world’s mineral resources, yet exploration and resource characterisation often rely on costly, inaccessible or outdated methods. This programme addresses that gap by supporting locally relevant, cost-effective technologies that can make mineral exploration smarter, safer and more sustainable.
The Central Challenge is:
How might we develop accessible, cost-effective and locally relevant technologies that improve how mineral resources are identified, characterised and targeted?
Teams respond to country-specific challenge briefs developed with government and industry stakeholders, ensuring solutions are grounded in genuine needs.
Eligible Countries
Teams must be based in one of the following countries and work together at the dedicated UniPod in that country:
- Botswana
- Liberia
- Malawi
- Nigeria
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
Who Can Apply
Eligibility is restricted to multidisciplinary teams of 2 to 5 members. All members must:
- Be aged 18 to 35
- Be based in the same eligible country
- Include students, recent graduates, researchers, engineers, technical professionals, innovators or early-stage entrepreneurs
- Bring complementary skills across at least two relevant disciplines (examples include Computer Science, Data Science, Mining Engineering, Geomatics, Software Engineering or related fields)
- Have a clearly identified problem in mineral exploration, mining or related environmental/operational activities, plus an initial technology-based idea
- Define clear roles for each team member and commit fully to the programme
- Provide a valid national ID for every team member
Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
What Solutions Can You Develop?
Solutions can be hardware, software or a combination of both. Focus areas include:
- Mineral exploration and geological data
- Remote sensing and surveying
- Geophysical and geochemical technologies
- Mineral identification and analysis
- Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics
Ideas should address how exploration data is collected, processed or interpreted in practical, accessible ways.
What Selected Teams Gain
Participants receive structured support including:
- Technical mentorship from experts, universities, geological institutions and mining sector practitioners
- Industry engagement and validation to test whether solutions meet real user needs
- Prototype development support through UniPods, MineTech Hub facilities and relevant innovation infrastructure
- Entrepreneurship and venture readiness support (business models, market validation and commercialisation pathways)
- Networking with mining stakeholders, researchers, technology experts, investors and innovation organisations
Selected teams may also compete for seed funding to build low-fidelity prototypes and proof-of-concept solutions. High-potential teams can progress to the MineTech Hub incubation programme. Selected team leaders receive practical intellectual property guidance.
Programme Structure
1. Validation and pre-incubation (10 weeks) – Teams test the problem, users and business case while validating their solutions.
2. Pitch and selection – Assessment based on problem relevance, technology potential, business validation and team readiness.
3. Concept development and prototyping – Selected teams build low-fidelity prototypes, supported by seed funding. Delivery is hybrid: online workshops covering technical and business development topics, plus hands-on work at UniPods.
4. Technical review – Solutions are reviewed with technical experts and industry stakeholders. High-potential teams may advance to MineTech Hub incubation.
5. Intellectual property support – Guidance for selected team leaders.
How to Apply
1. Form a multidisciplinary team that meets the eligibility criteria.
2. Develop a clear technology-based idea addressing a real mineral exploration or mining challenge.
3. Submit the application via the official form with Link provided 👉 Here
Deadline: 16 October 2026.
For questions, contact your participating UniPod or the MineTech Hub at:
- zambia.minetech.hub@undp.org
- coordinator@unipod.org.mw
Why This Matters
Africa’s mineral wealth is a major driver of economic transformation, but exploration methods must become more efficient, affordable and locally adapted. This pre-incubation programme creates a pathway for young African innovators to move from idea to prototype while engaging directly with industry and government needs.
It forms part of UNDP’s broader timbuktoo initiative, which aims to strengthen African innovation ecosystems and support technology solutions for sustainable development challenges.
If you have a strong idea and a complementary team ready to test and build, this is a valuable opportunity to develop practical technology for Africa’s mining sector.
Apply before 16 October 2026 through the official form.
