SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026: Apply Youth Innovation Challenge to Win US$5,000–US$10,000 in Seed Fundin

Overview

The SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026 is a youth social innovation challenge aimed at supporting practical, youth-led solutions that promote safety, protect human rights, and foster inclusive digital and community environments. The initiative invites original ideas addressing critical issues such as technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, child marriage, female genital mutilation, restricted access to accurate sexual and reproductive health information, online harassment, and digital censorship. The challenge is organized through a partnership involving the United Nations Population Fund, the Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme, the Global Programme to End Child Marriage, the African Union Women, Gender and Youth Directorate and its Innovation Lab, the United Nations Development Programme, UNICEF, and UN Women.

Who can apply

Young African innovators, social entrepreneurs, technology developers, and digital rights advocates are invited to participate in the challenge.

What you get

Four winning innovators or teams will receive seed grants ranging from US$5,000 to US$10,000 per winner. Shortlisted finalists will also receive virtual mentorship to strengthen their innovation and pitching skills, and they will have the opportunity to present their solutions at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit in November 2026.

Key dates

Applications opened on 29 September 2026 following the official launch at the African Union Innovation Festival 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The deadline to submit applications is 18 October 2026 at 23:59 Central Africa Time. Shortlisted finalists will present their solutions at the YouthConnekt Africa Summit in November 2026.