UNDP Africa Pan-African MineTech Exploration Technology Pre-Incubation Programme 2027
Overview
The UNDP Africa Pan-African MineTech Exploration Technology Pre-Incubation Programme 2027 is organized by the timbuktoo MineTech Hub, the United Nations Development Programme, and ecosystem partners in Botswana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The programme is designed to help participants convert real-world mineral exploration and mining challenges into practical technology solutions. Applicants do not need a finished product or an established company to apply, as a clearly defined idea or solution addressing the challenge briefs is sufficient.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants include multidisciplinary teams of two to five members, where every member is aged 18 to 35 and based in the same country among Botswana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe to enable collaboration at a dedicated UniPod. Teams must consist of students, recent graduates, researchers, engineers, technical professionals, innovators, or early-stage entrepreneurs. Members must bring complementary skills spanning at least two relevant disciplines, such as Computer Science, Data Science, Mining Engineering, Geomatics, Software Engineering, or similar fields. Each team must identify a specific problem in mining, mineral exploration, or related environmental and operational activities, propose a technology-based idea, define individual roles, commit to the programme, and supply valid national identification for every member. Female applicants are strongly encouraged to participate.
What you get
Participants receive technical mentorship from industry experts, universities, geological institutions, and mining sector practitioners. The programme offers industry engagement and validation to test solutions against genuine user needs, alongside prototype development support through UniPods, MineTech Hub facilities, and innovation infrastructure. Teams also gain venture readiness and entrepreneurship support covering market validation, business models, and routes to commercialisation, plus networking opportunities with mining stakeholders, researchers, technology experts, investors, and innovation organisations. Additionally, selected teams may compete for seed funding to construct low fidelity prototypes and proof of concept solutions, and high potential teams can advance to MineTech Hub incubation.
Key dates
The application deadline is October 16, 2026.