Spotlight Initiative SafeTech Africa HackLab 2026 for young African Innovators ($10,000 in seed capital grants)

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA)

This opportunity has closed.

FundingUSD 5,000 to 10,000

DeadlineOctober 18, 2026

WhereResidents of Eastern and Southern Africa, as well as Western and Central Africa are eligible.

In short

Applications are open for the Spotlight Initiative SafeTech Africa HackLab aimed at young African innovators. Participants can compete for seed grants between USD 5,000 and USD 10,000 by submitting innovative solutions to tackle issues like child marriage and technology-facilitated violence. The application deadline is October 18, 2026.

Who can apply

Type of organisation : Individuals and informal projects

Area of work : Gender and women empowerment

Stage : Idea stage, Early stage (0 to 2 years)

What you will need

Age: All team leads and members must be 18–24 years old at the time of application.
Residency: Open to innovators residing in specified African regions.
Team composition: Teams of 2–5 members are encouraged to apply, with a designated Team Lead.
Gender equity: Female-led startups will be prioritized.
Application category: Apply under one category only.
Solution stage: Eligible solutions in concept, early prototype or pilot stages.
Inclusivity: Address needs of marginalized and underserved youth.
Low-connectivity accessibility: Solutions must work in low-bandwidth environments.

This summary was prepared with the help of AI and checked by the FundRadar team. The funder’s own page is the reference.