Nutrition Connect is currently accepting applications for its NourishNext West Africa Youth Agrifood Innovation Challenge 2026. Interested applicants are encouraged to click here to learn more about this opportunity and apply for it.
About Nutrition Connect - NourishNext West Africa Youth Agrifood Innovation Challenge
NourishNext West Africa Youth Agrifood Innovation Challenge is a regional innovation challenge, led by the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) in partnership with the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement and national implementing partners across Benin, Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal. The initiative is implemented with the support of the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
NourishNext identifies, supports, and accelerates youth-led innovations that strengthen nutritious fruit and vegetable value chains across West Africa. The Challenge seeks innovative solutions that improve how fruits and vegetables are processed, preserved, packaged, transported, marketed, distributed, purchased, prepared, and consumed, contributing to more resilient, inclusive, and nutrition-sensitive food systems.
Benefits of Nutrition Connect - NourishNext West Africa Youth Agrifood Innovation Challenge
- Selected innovators will receive USD 5,000 in seed funding, tailored technical mentorship from industry experts, capacity-building opportunities, and access to national and regional networking and showcasing platforms.
- Finalists will have the opportunity to present their innovations at the NourishNext West Africa Regional Showcase in Dakar, Senegal, in 2026, connecting with policymakers, investors, development partners, and private sector leaders.
Nutrition Connect - NourishNext West Africa Youth Agrifood Innovation Challenge Requirements
- Open to young innovators aged 18 to 35 years, with the upper age limit extended to 40 years for women-led innovations.
- Applicants are invited to submit practical, scalable solutions that address some of the region's most pressing agrifood challenges, including post-harvest losses, inadequate processing and storage, fragmented markets, limited access to nutritious foods, and weak consumer demand for fruits and vegetables.
Application Date and Process
- A completed online application form (all sections), proof of age of the lead applicant (national ID, passport, or birth certificate), and evidence of operational stage -- photos, customer testimonials, financial records, or a pilot report etc.
Application Deadline
07 September, 2026
Opportunity Application
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Nutrition Connect - NourishNext West Africa Youth Agrifood Innovation Challenge
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