Opportunity for Young Innovators in Liberia: Apply for the Pan-African MineTech Pre-Incubation Programme
Africa Open University shares an open call from timbuktoo MineTech Hub and UNDP for Liberia’s young innovators. Multidisciplinary teams aged 18‑35 may apply for the Pan‑African MineTech Pre‑Incubation Programme to develop tech solutions for mineral‑exploration challenges. Selected teams receive mentorship, prototyping support and possible seed funding. Applications close on 16 October 2026. AOU only circulates the opportunity and is not part of the programme’s organisation.
Africa Open University (AOU) is pleased to share an open opportunity for young innovators, students, researchers, engineers and early-stage entrepreneurs in Liberia.
The timbuktoo MineTech Hub, together with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and ecosystem partners across six African countries, has opened applications for the Pan-African MineTech Exploration Technology Pre-Incubation Programme.
The programme seeks practical and locally relevant technology solutions to challenges in mineral exploration, mining-related environmental activities and mining operations. Proposed solutions may involve hardware, software or a combination of both, including applications in:
- mineral exploration and geological data;
- remote sensing and surveying;
- geophysical and geochemical technologies;
- mineral identification and analysis; and
- artificial intelligence and predictive analytics.
Who can apply?
Applications must be submitted by multidisciplinary teams that:
- consist of two to five members;
- have members aged between 18 and 35;
- are based in the same participating country, including Liberia;
- combine skills from at least two relevant disciplines; and
- present a clearly defined mining or mineral-exploration challenge together with an initial technology-based solution.
Students, recent graduates, researchers, engineers, technical professionals, innovators and early-stage entrepreneurs are eligible. Female applicants are particularly encouraged to apply.
Selected teams will participate in a ten-week validation and pre-incubation process. Support may include technical mentorship, industry engagement, prototype development through UniPods, entrepreneurship guidance, networking and intellectual-property guidance. Selected teams may also have an opportunity to compete for seed funding and progress to MineTech Hub incubation.
Application deadline: 16 October 2026
Official information and application: UNDP Pan-African MineTech Pre-Incubation Programme
AOU encourages eligible young people in Liberia with relevant technical expertise and a practical technology idea to review the official requirements and apply directly through the programme’s application portal.
Information notice: AOU is sharing this publicly available opportunity in support of youth access to science, technology and innovation opportunities. AOU is not an organiser, implementing partner or selection body for this programme. All applications and enquiries should be directed to the official programme channels.