The NourishNext West Africa 2026 Youth Agrifood Innovation Challenge supports youth-led solutions that strengthen nutritious fruit and vegetable value chains across West Africa. Led by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN), the challenge is open to eligible innovators in Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal. All finalists receive a USD 5,000 seed grant, while applications are accepted from 8 July to 7 September 2026.
Programme Snapshot
Programme: NourishNext West Africa 2026: Youth Agrifood Innovation Challenge
Category: Regional Agrifood Innovation Challenge
Lead Organization: Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN)
Eligible Countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal
Eligible Age: 18–35; up to 40 for women-led innovations
Funding Status: USD 5,000 seed grant for all finalists
Regional Finale: Dakar, Senegal
Application Deadline: 7 September 2026
About the NourishNext West Africa 2026 Challenge
NourishNext West Africa identifies, supports, and accelerates youth-led innovations connected to nutritious fruit and vegetable value chains.
The challenge is led by GAIN in partnership with the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement and national implementing partners across the four participating countries. It is implemented with support from the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and ECOWAS.
Applicants should present practical and scalable solutions addressing challenges across the fruit and vegetable system. Eligible innovations must have progressed beyond the idea stage and demonstrate at least a functional prototype, proof of concept, minimum viable product, or a more advanced operational stage.
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Competition Categories
Applicants must select one primary competition category that best represents the main focus of their innovation.
The four categories are:
• Value addition and processing: Solutions involving processing, preservation, fortification, packaging, and value-added fruit and vegetable products.
• Local produce in public nutrition and social protection systems: Innovations connecting locally produced fruits and vegetables with school feeding, institutional feeding, social protection, public procurement, and related programmes.
• Market and supply chain solutions: Innovations improving production, aggregation, storage, transport, distribution, retail, safety, resilience, and market connections.
• Consumer demand and healthy diet behaviour change: Solutions using approaches such as consumer engagement, digital technology, marketing, education, and nutrition awareness to increase fruit and vegetable consumption.
Funding and Support for Selected Innovators
NourishNext provides financial and development support across different stages of the competition.
Confirmed benefits include:
✓ USD 5,000 seed grant for every finalist
✓ Seed funding that is non-repayable and equity-free
✓ Structured mentorship and capacity building
✓ Online group training
✓ Peer learning circles
✓ Advanced thematic workshops
✓ Dedicated support for women-led enterprises
✓ National and regional networking opportunities
✓ Showcasing opportunities
✓ Connections with investors, buyers, development partners, and other ecosystem actors
✓ Post-competition support for winners
Semi-finalists enter the structured capacity-building and mentorship programme. Finalists receive the USD 5,000 seed grant together with training, networking, and showcasing opportunities.
National winners can progress to the regional stage in Dakar, Senegal.
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Who Can Apply?
The challenge is intended for youth-led innovations operating in the participating West African countries.
Eligible applicants may include:
• Individual innovators
• Youth-led enterprises and set-ups
• MSMEs and microenterprises
• Startups
• Cooperatives led by young people
• Youth-led civil society organisations
Formal business registration is not a strict requirement.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet the core eligibility conditions stated on the official page.
• The lead applicant must normally be between 18 and 35 years old.
• Women leading eligible innovations may apply up to the age of 40.
• Applicants must be based in and primarily operate within Benin, Nigeria, Senegal, or Côte d’Ivoire.
• The innovation must address at least one of the four competition categories.
• The solution must operate within or directly support fruit and vegetable value chains.
• The innovation must have progressed beyond the idea stage.
• Applicants must demonstrate at least proof of concept or a more advanced operational stage.
• Youth must be the primary leaders and key decision-makers behind the proposed solution.
Preference is given to innovations that have already been tested in real-world settings and demonstrate potential for growth and impact.
Required Application Materials
The official FAQ identifies several items applicants must provide.
• Completed online application form
• Proof of age for the lead applicant, such as a national ID, passport, or birth certificate
• Evidence that the innovation has reached an operational stage
Evidence of operational progress may include:
• Photos
• Customer testimonials
• Financial records
• Pilot reports
Applications can be submitted in English or French. The application portal is bilingual.
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Selection Process
Eligible applications are evaluated through a standardised scoring framework worth 100 points.
The assessment criteria are:
• Innovation and Originality: 20%
• Nutrition Impact Potential: 20%
• Business Model and Feasibility: 20%
• Scalability and Replicability: 15%
• Youth Leadership and Team Capacity: 15%
• Inclusive Growth and Sustainability: 10%
The highest-scoring eligible applications progress through the competition. Final decisions are made by independent evaluators and jury members.
The programme plans to select:
• 15 semi-finalists per country
• 10 finalists per country
The top two national winners from each participating country will progress to the regional finale in Dakar, Senegal, in November 2026.
Application Process
Applicants should first confirm that their innovation meets the eligibility and proof-of-concept requirements.
They should then:
• Select the competition category that best represents the innovation.
• Complete all sections of the online application form.
• Upload proof of the lead applicant’s age.
• Provide evidence showing the operational stage of the innovation.
• Submit the application in English or French.
• Complete the submission before the stated closing date.
Applicants whose solutions cover more than one category must still select one primary category.
Application Deadline
The application window for NourishNext West Africa 2026 runs from:
8 July to 7 September 2026
The official page notes that organisers may extend the application window if necessary and advises applicants to check the application portal for the confirmed closing date. Late applications cannot be considered.
Apply Here
Submit your application through the official application form linked by Nutrition Connect.
