Grant opportunity
UNITAR TICAD9 Empowering Youth and Women Programme 2026-2027
A UNITAR-Japan programme supporting 2,000 African youth and women with entrepreneurship, AI, leadership, partnership and investment-readiness training.
- Funder
- United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) and the Government of Japan
- Applications close 31 July 2026
- Applications close 31 July 2026: Jul 31, 2026
- Award
- Free multi-phase training, mentorship, venture support and possible advanced engagement in Japan
- Applicant
- Youth and women aged 18-35 from Botswana, Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
- Discipline
- Business, Entrepreneurship and Innovation
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
- Posted
- Jul 24, 2026
Call summary
Overview
The programme helps participants turn ideas into scalable, implementation-oriented projects with economic or social impact.
Who can apply
Applicants must be aged 18-35, reside in one of the 11 eligible countries and be aspiring entrepreneurs, founders, innovators, professionals, researchers or social entrepreneurs.
What it supports
- Entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
- Leadership, partnerships and investment readiness.
- Agri-food, climate, fintech, health, manufacturing, creative industries and related sectors.
Funding and duration
- The programme supports 2,000 participants.
- A limited number of high performers will enter an advanced phase connected to Japan's innovation ecosystem.
Applications close 31 July 2026
Applications close 31 July 2026: Jul 31, 2026
How to apply
Read the official UNITAR announcement and submit through the linked UNITAR event page by 31 July 2026.
Call details
Source-based overview
UNITAR and the Government of Japan invite young African innovators and women entrepreneurs to a multi-phase learning and venture-development programme designed to build scalable solutions and Africa-Japan partnerships.
Eligibility
Applicants must be aged 18-35, reside in one of the 11 eligible countries and be aspiring entrepreneurs, founders, innovators, professionals, researchers or social entrepreneurs.
Funding and benefits
The programme supports 2,000 participants.
A limited number of high performers will enter an advanced phase connected to Japan's innovation ecosystem.
Themes and supported activities
Entrepreneurship, artificial intelligence and digital transformation.
Leadership, partnerships and investment readiness.
Agri-food, climate, fintech, health, manufacturing, creative industries and related sectors.
Deadline and timeline
Applications close 31 July 2026: Applications close 31 July 2026: Jul 31, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Read the official UNITAR announcement and submit through the linked UNITAR event page by 31 July 2026.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.