USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026: ₦10 Million Prize Pool for Nigerian ICT Innovators (Apply by 15 November)

Who can apply: This competition is only for Nigerian citizens or legal residents living in Nigeria.

The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF), the Federal Government fund that promotes affordable ICT access in rural and underserved areas, has opened the USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026. It invites innovation teams and early-stage startups across all 36 states and the FCT to build practical ICT solutions for underserved communities, with ₦10 million in national cash prizes.

You don’t need a registered company to enter. Applications close on Sunday 15 November 2026 at 11:59pm WAT.

At a Glance

The Five Challenge Sectors

Each sector has its own problem statement. Your solution must answer one of them.

1. Agriculture: help farmers and agribusinesses access information, services and tools.
2. Education: make learning more accessible and consistent in underserved communities.
3. Healthcare: improve access to reliable health information, essential services and ongoing care.
4. Clean and Affordable Energy: help households, businesses and community services find, afford and use clean energy.
5. Financial Inclusion: help people and small businesses use safe, affordable financial services.

Benefits

• ₦5,000,000 for the national winner, ₦3,000,000 for second and ₦2,000,000 for third
• Four weeks of structured incubation and venture support for all six National Demo Day finalists
• A chance to pitch at virtual Regional Demo Days and an in-person National Demo Day in Abuja
• Every team keeps 100% ownership of its intellectual property

Eligibility

• Apply as a team of 2 to 5 members.
• Every member must be 18 or older. There’s no upper age limit.
• Members must be Nigerian citizens or legal residents living in Nigeria.
• Open to innovation teams and early-stage startups. Business registration is not required.
• Your entry must be an ICT-led idea, prototype, MVP or working system that answers one of the five problem statements.
• You must be available for the virtual Regional Demo Days and the National Demo Day if shortlisted.

How the Challenge Works

1. Apply online from 2 to 15 November 2026.
2. Review and selection: entries are checked against the rules and scored.
3. Regional Demo Days: six virtual events for up to 50 teams, with one team per state and the FCT plus 13 places for the highest-scoring remaining teams.
4. National Demo Day in Abuja: one team from each geopolitical zone presents to judges, and the top three win cash prizes.
5. Incubation: four weeks of support for the six finalists.

How to Apply

1. Visit the official challenge website and choose the Challenge Sector closest to your team’s work.
2. Read that sector’s problem statement carefully.
3. Click Apply Now and register your team on the InnoX platform.
4. Explain the problem, who it affects, how your ICT solution works and who is on your team.
5. Upload any supporting documents and submit before 15 November 2026 at 11:59pm WAT.

Official USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026 website

Tips

• Start from a real community problem. Name the place and the people your solution helps.
• Show it works offline or on basic phones if your users have limited internet.
• Build a balanced team, for example a developer, someone who knows the sector and someone who can pitch.
• Don’t wait for the last day. The window is only two weeks long.

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