Scholarship Overview
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Overview
The UNDP Africa Pan-African MineTech Exploration Technology Pre-Incubation Programme 2027 is a targeted initiative for young African innovators, researchers, and entrepreneurs. Organised by the timbuktoo MineTech Hub in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme and ecosystem partners across Botswana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe, this programme transforms real-world mining and mineral exploration challenges into practical technology solutions.
Unlike traditional incubators that demand established companies or market-ready products, MineTech accepts applicants with clearly defined ideas. You need only demonstrate how technology can solve challenge briefs issued by participating UniPods. This approach lowers barriers to entry for early-stage innovators while maintaining rigorous standards for problem identification and solution feasibility.
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Programme Benefits
Selected teams receive comprehensive support across multiple dimensions:
- Technical mentorship from experts at universities, geological institutions, and mining sector practitioners
- Industry engagement and validation to verify your solution addresses genuine user needs
- Prototype development support through UniPods, MineTech Hub facilities, and relevant innovation infrastructure
- Entrepreneurship and venture readiness support, including business model development, market validation, and commercialisation pathways
- Networking opportunities with mining stakeholders, researchers, technology experts, investors, and innovation organisations
- Seed funding competition for selected teams to build low-fidelity prototypes and proof-of-concept solutions
- Incubation progression pathway for high-potential teams to advance to full MineTech Hub incubation
Eligibility Requirements
MineTech maintains specific eligibility criteria designed to ensure team cohesion and programme effectiveness:
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- Team composition: Multidisciplinary teams of 2 to 5 members
- Age requirement: All members aged 18 to 35
- Geographic restriction: All members must be based in the same eligible country—Botswana, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Zambia, or Zimbabwe
- Co-location requirement: Teams must be able to work together at their country’s dedicated UniPod
- Background: Students, recent graduates, researchers, engineers, technical professionals, innovators, or early-stage entrepreneurs
- Skill diversity: Complementary skills across at least two relevant disciplines, including technical expertise such as Computer Science, Data Science, Mining Engineering, Geomatics, Software Engineering, or similar fields
- Problem-solution fit: Clearly identified problem in mineral exploration, mining, or related environmental/operational activities, with an initial technology-based solution concept
- Commitment: Defined roles for each member and full programme participation
- Documentation: Valid national ID required for each team member
Female applicants are strongly encouraged to apply. The programme actively seeks to increase women’s participation in mining technology innovation.
Application Process
The application process is straightforward but requires careful preparation:
- Form your team: Assemble 2-5 members with complementary skills who all reside in the same eligible country
- Identify your challenge: Review challenge briefs from your country’s UniPod and select a specific mining or mineral exploration problem
- Develop your concept: Articulate how technology can address the identified problem—no finished product required
- Define roles: Clearly specify each team member’s contribution and expertise area
- Prepare documentation: Ensure all members have valid national IDs ready for submission
- Submit application: Complete the online application before the deadline
Applications opened with no specified opening date and close on 16 October 2026.
Strategic Relevance for Zimbabwe and SADC Applicants
For Zimbabwean and regional applicants, this programme offers particular value. Zimbabwe’s mining sector—encompassing gold, platinum, diamonds, and lithium—faces significant technological gaps in exploration efficiency, environmental monitoring, and operational safety. The UniPod infrastructure provides rare access to specialised equipment and industry networks that would otherwise require substantial capital investment.
The regional focus on six African countries ensures peer learning among teams facing similar regulatory, infrastructural, and market contexts. Zimbabwean teams benefit from benchmarking against Nigerian software engineering capacity, Zambian mining operational experience, and Botswana’s established extractive industry governance frameworks.
What Happens After Selection
Successful applicants enter a structured pre-incubation phase. Teams work at dedicated UniPods—physical innovation hubs equipped with relevant technology infrastructure. The programme emphasises rapid prototyping and user validation rather than theoretical planning.
Progression depends on demonstrated traction. Teams showing strong problem-solution fit, technical feasibility, and market validation compete for seed funding to develop low-fidelity prototypes. The highest-performing teams may advance to full MineTech Hub incubation, receiving extended support for commercialisation.
Key Considerations
Prospective applicants should note several practical matters:
- The programme does not specify award amounts for seed funding—competition determines allocation
- No information is published regarding travel, accommodation, or stipend coverage—teams should prepare for potential self-funding of living expenses
- The co-location requirement is strict; remote participation is not accommodated
- Intellectual property arrangements are not detailed in public materials—teams should clarify ownership terms during selection interviews
Official scholarship page: https://www.undp.org/africa
You apply directly with the provider. We never charge for applications or ask for payment details. How we verify scholarships
