USPF Changemaker Challenge 2026: Win from a ₦10 Million Prize Pool for ICT-Based Innovations in Nigeria

Nigerian innovators, technology enthusiasts and early-stage startups can apply for the 2026 USPF Changemaker Challenge, an innovation competition organised by the Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF).

The challenge seeks innovative, technology-driven solutions to pressing challenges affecting underserved and unserved communities across Nigeria.

With a total national cash prize pool of ₦10 million, the competition will identify promising ICT-based solutions across five priority sectors: agriculture, education, healthcare, financial inclusion and clean energy.

Selected teams will have the opportunity to present their innovations at regional and national demonstration events, while the six national finalists will receive four weeks of structured incubation and venture development support.

Benefits of the USPF Changemaker Challenge

Participating teams stand to benefit from:

- ₦10 million total prize pool: Cash prizes for the three top-performing teams.

- First Prize: ₦5 million.

- Second Prize: ₦3 million.

- Third Prize: ₦2 million.

- Four-week incubation: All six national finalists will receive structured incubation and venture support.

- Regional Demo Days: Opportunity for selected teams to present their solutions at regional demonstration events.

- National Demo Day: Six finalists will advance to the national competition in Abuja.

- Intellectual Property Ownership: Participating teams retain 100% ownership of their intellectual property.

- Innovation Development: Opportunity to improve and develop practical technology solutions addressing real community challenges.

Challenge Categories

Applicants must develop solutions addressing one of the five priority sectors.

1. Agriculture

Develop ICT solutions that improve agricultural productivity, access to reliable agricultural information, post-harvest management, logistics, market access and agricultural support services.

2. Education

Develop accessible and affordable digital solutions that improve learning opportunities, teaching quality, educational support and access to relevant educational information, particularly in underserved communities.

3. Healthcare

Create technology-driven solutions that improve access to healthcare services, preventive health information, patient support, referrals and healthcare service coordination.

4. Financial Inclusion

Develop solutions that improve access to affordable financial services, financial literacy, fraud prevention, household financial management and financial resilience.

5. Clean and Affordable Energy

Develop ICT solutions that improve access to affordable energy, energy monitoring, fault detection, maintenance services and energy management.

Eligibility Requirements

To participate in the USPF Changemaker Challenge, applicants must meet the following requirements:

1. Team Composition: Applications must be submitted by teams consisting of two to five members.

2. Age: Every team member must be at least 18 years old. There is no upper age limit.

3. Nationality and Residence: Applicants must be Nigerian citizens or legal residents living in Nigeria.

4. Applicant Type: The competition is open to innovation teams and early-stage startups.

5. Solution: Teams must have an ICT-led idea, prototype, minimum viable product (MVP) or working system addressing one of the five challenge sectors.

6. Availability: Team members must be available to participate in the virtual Regional Demo Days and the National Demo Day in Abuja if shortlisted.

Applicants do not need to have a registered business to participate.

Important: Individual applications are not accepted. Interested innovators must form a team of two to five members before applying.

How to Apply

Interested teams should follow these steps:

1. Visit the official USPF Changemaker Challenge website.

2. Explore the five challenge categories and select the one relevant to your innovation.

3. Read the specific problem statement for the selected category.

4. Create an account on the InnoX application platform.

5. Register your team and provide the required information.

6. Describe your proposed solution, the problem it addresses, its potential beneficiaries and how it works.

7. Upload the necessary supporting documents and submit your application.

Application Portal: https://uspf.innox.africa/signup

Official Challenge Website: https://uspfchangemaker.ng/

Application Deadline

15 November 2026, 11:59 p.m. WAT.

Applications opened on 2 November 2026. Interested teams are encouraged to complete their submissions before the deadline.

About the Universal Service Provision Fund

The Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) is a Nigerian government initiative established to facilitate access to affordable information and communication technology services, particularly in rural, unserved and underserved communities.

Through the Changemaker Challenge, USPF seeks to encourage homegrown technological innovations that respond to real societal needs, strengthen digital inclusion and create opportunities for sustainable development.

The competition provides Nigerian innovators with an opportunity to demonstrate how technology can be used to address practical challenges and improve lives across the country.

Interested innovators should visit the official challenge website to review the problem statements and application guidelines before submitting their entries.