UNDP Africa Timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation Programme 2026 for EdTech Startups.

Application Deadline: Unspecified

Applications are now open for the 2026 UNDP Africa Timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation Programme. With more than 100 million young Africans in need of inclusive, quality education adapted to local realities, technological innovation represents a critical lever for the future of education systems across the continent.

The programme aims to support African startups developing innovative, scalable EdTech solutions capable of contributing to the transformation of education systems.

Through the timbuktoo EdTech Hub, the programme seeks to strengthen African educational technology solutions, stimulate their institutional adoption, catalyse investment in the sector, generate evidence of impact, and contribute to the sustainable transformation of education systems.

Startups admitted to the programme will join the timbuktoo Pan-African Incubation Network.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible, applicants must:

• be based in Africa;
• offer a solution related to education, training or skills development;
• have a prototype that can be tested or deployed in a local context;
• have a committed team available to participate in the incubation programme.

UNDP particularly encourages applications from startups

• led by women;
• originating from rural areas;
• integrating local languages or accessibility solutions.

Selected EdTech startups will benefit from

• a structured incubation programme delivered by leading African incubators;
• access to experienced mentors, entrepreneurs and sector experts;
• participation in a pan-African network of founders, incubators and ecosystem partners;
• access to the SIGMA digital platform;
• investment readiness support;
• access to acceleration programmes and early-stage investment opportunities.