NourishNext West Africa: Youth Agri-Food Innovation Challenge

The NourishNext West Africa Youth Agri-Food Innovation Challenge supports young innovators developing scalable solutions to improve fruit and vegetable value chains across West Africa. Selected innovators receive USD 5,000 seed funding, technical mentorship, capacity-building support, and opportunities to showcase their innovations to investors, policymakers, and development partners.

Overview of the NourishNext West Africa Youth Agri-Food Innovation Challenge

The NourishNext West Africa Youth Agri-Food Innovation Challenge is a regional innovation programme designed to support youth-led solutions that strengthen nutritious fruit and vegetable systems across West Africa.

The challenge focuses on improving how fruits and vegetables are:

Produced.
Processed.
Preserved.
Packaged.
Transported.
Marketed.
Distributed.
Purchased.
Consumed.

The initiative aims to address major challenges affecting nutritious food access, including food loss, weak supply chains, limited processing capacity, market barriers, and low consumer demand for healthy diets.

Challenge Organisers and Partners

The NourishNext challenge is led by:

Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN).
Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Movement.

The initiative is implemented with national partners across:

Benin.
Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria.
Senegal.

The challenge is supported by:

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).
Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Purpose of the Challenge

NourishNext aims to identify and accelerate innovative youth-led solutions that improve nutrition-sensitive food systems.

The programme supports innovations that:

Increase availability of nutritious fruits and vegetables.
Reduce post-harvest losses.
Improve food processing and preservation.
Strengthen agricultural markets.
Increase consumer access to healthy foods.
Promote sustainable agrifood solutions.

Focus Areas

The challenge welcomes innovations addressing key areas across the fruit and vegetable value chain.

1. Value Addition and Processing Innovations

Solutions may include:

Improved food processing technologies.
New preservation methods.
Innovative packaging solutions.
Products that increase the value and shelf life of fruits and vegetables.

2. Nutrition and Social Protection Integration

Innovations may support:

Inclusion of local fruits and vegetables in public nutrition programmes.
Food assistance systems.
Social protection initiatives focused on healthy diets.

3. Market and Supply Chain Solutions

The challenge supports solutions that improve:

Agricultural market connections.
Transportation systems.
Distribution networks.
Supply chain efficiency.
Farmer-to-consumer linkages.

4. Food Safety and Quality Improvement

Innovations may address:

Food safety challenges.
Quality standards.
Storage improvements.
Reliable supply of safe fruits and vegetables.

5. Consumer Demand and Healthy Diet Behaviour Change

Solutions may focus on:

Increasing awareness of nutritious diets.
Encouraging fruit and vegetable consumption.
Changing consumer behaviour.
Improving food choices.

6. Nutrition-Sensitive Food Systems

The challenge supports approaches that connect:

Who Is Eligible?

The challenge is open to:

Young innovators.
Youth-led agrifood entrepreneurs.
Start-ups developing food system solutions.
Innovation teams working on fruit and vegetable value chains.

Age Requirements

Applicants must meet the following age criteria:

General applicants: 18–35 years old.
Women-led innovations: age limit extended up to 40 years old.

Eligible Countries

The challenge focuses on innovators and solutions connected to:

Benin.
Côte d’Ivoire.
Nigeria.
Senegal.

Innovation Requirements

Applicants must submit solutions that have progressed beyond the early idea stage.

Eligible innovations must have at least one of the following:

Functional prototype.
Proof of concept.
Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
Tested solution demonstrating feasibility.

Not Eligible

The challenge does not consider:

Pure concepts without development.
Early ideas without testing.
Designs without a working prototype.

Preference will be given to innovations that:

Have been tested in real-world environments.
Demonstrate measurable impact.
Show potential for regional expansion and scaling.

Funding and Support Benefits

Selected innovators will receive:

Seed Funding

USD 5,000 financial support to advance their innovation.

Technical Mentorship

Participants will receive guidance from:

Agrifood industry experts.
Innovation specialists.
Sector professionals.

Capacity Building

Support may include:

Entrepreneurship training.
Business development guidance.
Innovation improvement support.
Skills development opportunities.

Networking and Visibility

Selected innovators gain access to:

National networking platforms.
Regional innovation showcases.
Industry connections.
Potential partnerships.

NourishNext Regional Showcase 2026

Finalists will have the opportunity to present their innovations at the:

NourishNext West Africa Regional Showcase in Dakar, Senegal, in 2026.

The showcase will connect innovators with:

Policymakers.
Investors.
Development partners.
Private sector leaders.
Agrifood stakeholders.

This platform provides opportunities for visibility, collaboration, and future investment.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Step 1: Check Eligibility

Confirm that:

You meet the age requirements.
Your innovation relates to fruit and vegetable value chains.
Your solution has reached prototype, MVP, or proof-of-concept stage.

Step 2: Develop Your Innovation Profile

Prepare information about:

The problem being addressed.
Your proposed solution.
Target users or beneficiaries.
Current development stage.
Market potential.
Expected nutrition and food system impact.

Step 3: Demonstrate Impact Potential

Highlight:

How the innovation reduces food losses.
How it improves access to nutritious foods.
How it strengthens agricultural value chains.
How it can scale across communities or regions.

Step 4: Submit Application

Submit the innovation proposal according to the challenge application requirements.

Common Application Mistakes and Tips

Common Mistakes

Applicants should avoid:

Submitting ideas without a prototype or testing.
Failing to explain the nutrition impact.
Providing unclear market strategies.
Not demonstrating scalability.
Describing technology without showing practical benefits.

Application Tips

To strengthen an application:

Clearly define the problem and target community.
Explain how the innovation improves fruit and vegetable systems.
Provide evidence from testing or pilot activities.
Show business sustainability potential.
Highlight social and nutrition outcomes.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the NourishNext West Africa Youth Agri-Food Innovation Challenge?

It is an innovation challenge supporting youth-led solutions that improve nutritious fruit and vegetable value chains across West Africa.

2. Who can apply?

Young innovators aged 18–35 years can apply. Women-led innovations may qualify up to age 40.

3. What funding is available?

Selected innovators receive USD 5,000 in seed funding.

4. What types of innovations are supported?

The challenge supports solutions related to food processing, preservation, packaging, supply chains, nutrition, food safety, consumer behaviour, and agrifood systems.

5. Can applicants submit only an idea?

No. Innovations must have a prototype, proof of concept, MVP, or demonstrated solution. Concept-only ideas are not eligible.

6. Which countries are involved in the programme?

The challenge operates across Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, and Senegal.

7. What additional support do selected innovators receive?

Selected participants receive mentorship, capacity building, networking opportunities, and access to regional showcase events.

Conclusion

The NourishNext West Africa Youth Agri-Food Innovation Challenge provides young entrepreneurs with funding, mentorship, and visibility to transform innovative ideas into practical solutions for healthier and more sustainable food systems. By supporting youth-led agrifood innovations, the programme helps improve nutrition, strengthen value chains, reduce food losses, and increase access to nutritious fruits and vegetables across West Africa.