Pan-African MineTech Exploration Technology Pre-Incubation Programme 2026 at timbuktoo MineTech Hub
- Company: timbuktoo MineTech Hub
- Location: Pan-African (Botswana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe)
- Application Deadline: October 16, 2026
Opportunity Details
**Pan-African MineTech Exploration Technology Pre-Incubation Programme 2026**
The timbuktoo MineTech Hub, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ecosystem partners, invites young innovators and multidisciplinary teams to apply for the Pan-African MineTech Exploration Technology Pre-Incubation Programme 2026.
The programme supports innovators in developing technology-driven solutions to real-world challenges in mineral exploration and mining.
Applicants can apply with an early-stage idea without having a finished product or an established company.
**Areas of Focus**
Solutions may involve hardware, software or a combination of both, focusing on:
* Mineral exploration and geological data management
* Remote sensing and surveying
* Geophysical and geochemical technologies
* Mineral identification and analysis
* Artificial intelligence and predictive analytics
* Exploration data collection, processing and interpretation
**Benefits**
Selected teams may receive:
* Technical mentorship from industry experts and researchers
* Industry engagement to validate proposed solutions
* Prototype development support and access to innovation facilities
* Entrepreneurship training in business models, market validation and commercialisation
* Networking opportunities with investors, researchers and mining professionals
* Potential seed funding for prototypes and proof-of-concept solutions
* Potential progression to incubation for high-potential teams
* Intellectual property guidance for selected team leaders
**Eligibility Requirements**
Applicants must meet the following requirements:
* Apply as a team of 2–5 members.
* All team members must be aged 18–35 years.
* All members must reside in the same eligible country: Botswana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia or Zimbabwe.
* Teams may include students, recent graduates, researchers, engineers, technical professionals, innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs.
* Members must combine complementary skills from at least two relevant disciplines, such as Computer Science, Data Science, Mining Engineering, Geomatics or Software Engineering.
* Teams must identify a real problem in mineral exploration, mining or related environmental or operational activities.
* Each member must have a clearly defined role and commit to the programme.
* Every team member must provide a valid national ID.
Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply.
**Programme Structure**
The programme includes:
* Validation and Pre-Incubation: A 10-week phase focused on problem validation, user research and business assessment.
* Pitch and Selection: Assessment based on problem relevance, technology potential, business validation and team readiness.
* Concept Development and Prototyping: Development of low-fidelity prototypes with support that may include seed funding.
* Technical Review: Evaluation by experts and industry stakeholders.
* Potential Incubation: High-potential teams may progress to MineTech Hub incubation.
The programme will be delivered in a hybrid format, combining online sessions with hands-on prototyping at participating UniPods.
Application Deadline: 16 October 2026
**Eligible Countries:** Botswana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia and Zimbabwe
Application Deadline: 16 October 2026
[Apply Here for Pan-African MineTech Exploration Technology Pre-Incubation Programme 2026](https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSetSb0n0WXMl6DR7OdaDZe0mr3sYOeAYl32fDeQrdNvCKSItw/viewform?usp=send_form)