NourishNext West Africa : Youth Agri-Food Innovation Challenge
About NourishNext West Africa 2026 : The 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.
The Challenge is 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.
To be eligible, innovations must have solutions that are beyond the idea stage and should have developed at least a functional prototype, proof of concept, or minimum viable product (MVP) or beyond, that demonstrates the feasibility of their solution. Purely conceptual ideas or designs without a demonstrated prototype will not be considered. Preference will be given to innovations that have been tested in real-world settings and show clear potential for scale and impact.
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.
Beyond the competition, NourishNext looks forward to building an innovation ecosystem that equips young entrepreneurs with the resources, partnerships, and visibility needed to scale impactful solutions. By fostering collaboration across countries and cohorts, the programme aims to cultivate the next generation of agrifood innovators driving healthier diets and more sustainable food systems across West Africa.
MALNUTRITION AND FOOD LOSS IN WEST AFRICA
West Africa's food system feeds hundreds of millions of people but persistent structural failures mean nutritious fruits and vegetables do not reach the people who need them most.. Average daily fruit and vegetable intake sits at less than half the WHO minimum. Young innovators are already building solutions, solar drying cooperatives, digital market platforms, and community processing units. What is missing is the ecosystem to help them grow and scale.
NourishNext West Africa is that ecosystem. Apply now and become part of the solution APPLY NOW!
COMPETITION CATEGORIES
Value addition and processing innovations that enhance fruit and vegetable value chains
Innovations that enhance the availability, affordability, convenience, and appeal of fruits and vegetables through processing, preservation, fortification, packaging, and value-added product development.
Integration of Local Produce of fruits and vegetables in Public Nutrition and Social Protection Systems
Innovations that strengthen the integration of locally produced fruits and vegetables into public procurement and delivery systems, including school and institutional feeding programmes, social protection and safety net initiatives, cash and food assistance programmes, workplace canteens, livelihoods programmes, and other government-led nutrition interventions.
Strengthened market and supply chain solutions for fruits and vegetables, that improve their supply, safety, and desirability
Innovations that improve the efficiency, safety, resilience, and inclusiveness of fruit and vegetable supply chains, including production of products/services, aggregation, storage, transport, distribution, retail, and market linkages.
Consumer Demand and Healthy Diet Behaviour Change for increased consumption of fruits and vegetables
Innovations that encourage the consumption of healthier diets and increase demand for fruits and vegetables through behaviour change approaches, consumer engagement, digital technologies, marketing, education, and nutrition awareness initiatives.
SEED GRANT FINANCING
All finalists receive a USD 5,000 seed grant, to further strengthen their innovation.
EXPERT MENTORSHIP
Winners will have access to a tailored mentorship program, pairing them with leading experts in nutrition, food systems, business development, finance and other relevant fields. This guidance will help refine their solutions and maximize their impact.
CAPACITY BUILDING
All semi-finalists onwards will participate in a structured capacity-building and mentorship programme designed to strengthen both the technical and commercial readiness of their innovations. The programme combines online group training, peer learning circles, advanced thematic workshops, and a dedicated women-led enterprise cohort to foster collaborative learning and targeted support. Through these engagements, innovators will build practical competencies in areas including supply chain optimization, marketing and positioning strategies, business management, partnership development, and enterprise growth, with the broader aim of supporting long-term sustainability, market readiness, and scalable impact across the agrifood sector.
REGIONAL VISIBILITY
National winners showcase their innovations at the national and regional platforms of importance, in Dakar, Senegal supported by national and global media coverage.
INVESTOR AND DEAL ROOM ACCESS
Regional winners attend a structured mentorship session also at the Dakar regional finale with direct facilitated access to investors, buyers, and development partners for investment-ready pitches.
ECOSYSTEM CONNECTIONS
All finalists gain access to proposed GAIN's Nutrition Connect regional platform, linkages to SBN, ECOWAS trade frameworks, school feeding networks, and international partners.
MEDIA EXPOSURE
Winning innovations will receive strategic visibility and communications support through GAIN and partner platforms as part of a dedicated storytelling and media engagement programme. This will include features across blogs, press releases, digital campaigns, social media amplification, and selected communications opportunities designed to elevate the profile of innovators and their solutions. The initiative aims to strengthen market visibility, enhance ecosystem recognition, and support innovators in building credibility, partnerships, and broader engagement opportunities across the agrifood and nutrition landscape.
POST-COMPETITION SUPPORT
Winners receive a pathway into partners broader programme network.
PEER RECOGNITION
Finalists become part of a growing regional community of West African agrifood innovators, creating a long-term platform for peer learning, knowledge exchange, collaboration, and ecosystem engagement. Beyond the competition itself, participation strengthens visibility and professional recognition within the agrifood and innovation ecosystem, helping innovators build credibility among industry peers, partners, and stakeholders while opening pathways for future collaborations, partnerships, and growth opportunities.
LONG-TERM IMPACT
Winners become part of a larger regional effort to improve nutrition and economic opportunity across West Africa.
Evaluation Criteria
How will applications be evaluated?
All eligible applications will be evaluated using a standardized 100-point scoring framework to ensure a fair, transparent, and consistent assessment across all participating countries.
Applications will be reviewed by independent evaluators against the following criteria:
Innovation & Originality (20%)
The extent to which the proposed solution introduces a novel, creative, or differentiated approach to addressing food systems and nutrition challenges.
Nutrition Impact Potential (20%)
The potential of the solution to improve the availability, affordability, accessibility, desirability, or consumption of nutritious foods, and contribute to improved nutrition outcomes.
Business Model & Feasibility (20%)
The strength and viability of the proposed business model, including its operational approach, implementation plan, and long-term sustainability.
Scalability & Replicability (15%)
The potential for the solution to grow, expand, and be replicated across different markets or contexts while maintaining its effectiveness and impact.
Youth Leadership & Team Capacity (15%)
The capability of the team to successfully implement and grow the innovation, including leadership, technical expertise, governance, and execution capacity.
Inclusive Growth & Sustainability (10%)
The extent to which the innovation promotes inclusive economic opportunities, particularly for young people and women, while contributing to environmentally sustainable food systems and generating positive social impact.
How are applications scored?
Each application is scored out of 100 points based on the six evaluation criteria above. The highest-scoring applications that meet all eligibility requirements will progress through the competition's selection process. Final decisions are made by an independent panel of evaluators and jury members based on the overall merit of each application.
This scoring framework is designed to identify innovations with strong potential to improve nutrition outcomes, strengthen food systems, create opportunities for youth, and achieve sustainable scale and impact.
Eligible Countries
A Region of Untapped Potential
West Africa's fruit and vegetable value chains employ millions; yet post-harvest losses of 50-80% and fragmented markets mean innovators are solving real, structural problems with minimal support.
A Once-in-a-Generation Platform
NourishNext West Africa 2026 is built around creating national and regional level platforms for youth innovations.
Real Consequences for Real People
Malnutrition costs West African economies billions each year. Youth unemployment runs at nearly 75% in informal employment. The solutions already exist, this challenge finds, funds, and scales them.
Eligibility criteria
Type of candidate
Open to youth-led enterprises, set-ups, cooperatives with youth leadership, youth-led civil society organisations ec.
Age
The lead applicant for an applying solution, must be between 18 and 35 years. For leading women applicants, the eligibility age is relaxed to 40 years of age, at the time of application.
Country and Location
Applicants must be based in and primarily operating within one or more of the four eligible countries i.e. Benin, Nigeria, Senegal, or Cote d'Ivoire.
Innovation Focus
Your innovation must directly address at least one of the four competition categories outlined and must operate within or be directly supporting fruit and vegetable value chains.
Proof of concept
Formal business registration is not important. Solutions must however be at least Proof Of Concept stage and beyond.
Gender Inclusion
Women-led enterprises are strongly encouraged to apply. Additional scoring flexibility is available for women-led enterprises/ set-ups.
Representation by Country
The programme will select 15 semi-finalists and from them, 10 finalists, per country.
Minimum Threshold For Application
Application window is open from 8 July to 8 September 2026. The organizers may feel the need to extend the application window if necessary.
Innovative Solution
Make sure your solution has something innovative about it and is not just a superficial improvement over already existing products / services / platforms etc.
General Conditions
All applicants must carefully read, understand and accept the terms and conditions of the competition.
Leadership
Youth (18–35 years ; Or Women leads upto 40 years) must be the primary leader(s) and key decision-maker(s) of the solution applying.
Innovation and Originality (20%)
Assess the novelty and creativity of the proposed solution. Is this a genuinely new approach to a known problem, or does it apply existing technology in an original and locally relevant way?
Nutrition Impact Potential (20%)
Evaluate the demonstrable pathway from the innovation to improved nutrition outcomes—increased availability, affordability, or consumption of nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Business Model and Feasibility (20%)
Assess the robustness of the commercial model, financial projections, and operational viability. Can this enterprise sustain itself beyond the competition cycle?
Scalability and Replicability (15%)
Examine the potential to replicate or scale the innovation across countries, communities, or value chain segments. How does it perform beyond its original context?
Youth Leadership and Team (15%)
Evaluate the quality, diversity, and commitment of the founding team. Is there genuine youth leadership at the core with the capacity and drive to see the innovation through?
Environmental and Social Impact (10%)
Consider environmental sustainability, gender-responsiveness, and inclusive reach. Gender-responsive innovations may earn an additional 5 bonus points.
Total Score: 100 points + up to 5 bonus points.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply?
Can I apply as an individual, or does it need to be a business?
Do I need a formally registered business?
Is there flexibility for Women applicants
What do I need to submit?
In what language can I apply?
When is the application deadline?
Can I apply in more than one category?
What do semi-finalists receive?
What do finalists receive?
What do national winners receive?
Is the seed grant equity-free?
What happens after the competition?
Will there be future cycles?
Can't find your answer?
Terms & Conditions
Please read the full terms and conditions here
Innovator Spotlight
Meet Our Innovators -- Coming Soon
Profiles of NourishNext West Africa 2026 winners and finalists will be featured here following the selection process. Apply now to be part of the cohort.
Become a Mentor CTA
Are you an expert in agrifood systems, nutrition, food technology, impact finance, or gender-responsive enterprise development? Join our growing mentor network and help shape the next generation of West African food systems innovators.
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Donor Acknowledgement
NourishNext West Africa 2026 is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) with the support of ECOWAS. The findings, ideas, and conclusions presented here are those of the programme team and do not necessarily reflect positions or policies of any of GAIN's funding partners.