AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri‑Innovation Contest 2026 at AGRA–SMEDAN
- Company: AGRA–SMEDAN
- Location: Nigeria
Opportunity Details
**AGRA–SMEDAN****Youth Agri‑Innovation****Contest 2026**
Agriculture employs more young Nigerians than any other sector, yet many agripreneurs struggle to reach advice and capital. We find the strongest youth-led ideas, train them, and put them in front of financiers
**Who Can Apply:**
* Nigerian youth aged 18 to 35
* Running an agribusiness, or building one
* From any state in Nigeria
* Working in maize, rice, soybean or allied agrifood value chains
* At any stage, from idea to established business
**What The Programme Provides:**
* Certified access-to-finance training
* Pitch rounds judged by expert reviewers
* A live Grand Finale and Deal Room with financiers
* Seed capital and support for ten winners
* Six months of mentorship and aftercare for winners
Women, rural youth and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
* 10 winners receive seed capital and support
* 30 finalists pitch live at the Grand Finale
* 100+ youths trained in access to finance
* 6 months of aftercare for winners
**Deal Room (Meet the people who fund agribusiness)**
* Banks, development finance institutions, agri-lenders and impact investors.
**Showcase (Be seen by financiers)**
* Outstanding innovations are profiled in an Innovation Showcase Register. Every applicant receives feedback.
**Training (Certified, in English and Hausa)**
* An eight-module access-to-finance programme that makes youth ventures investable.
**Application Timeline:**
1. 8th to 16th October: Apply – Apply online in three short stages. Save and continue any time.
2. 17th October Nationwide: Training – Virtual training for all applicants.
3. 21st to 22nd October : In-person Training – Two days of in-person training in Niger, Nasarawa and Kaduna.
4. 29th October : Pitch & Grand Finale – Hybrid: finalists pitch live, in the room and online.
5. 8th to 10th November: National Showcase & Award – The national showcase and award ceremony in Lagos.
[Apply Here for AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri‑Innovation Contest 2026](https://www.youthagriinnovate.ng/)