USPF Opens N10M Changemaker Challenge for Nigerian Tech Startups - Apply by Nov 15
USPF launches the Changemaker Challenge offering a N10 million prize pool for Nigerian startups and innovation teams building ICT solutions for underserved communities. The competition opened November 2 and closes November 15 at 11:59 PM WAT, targeting practical solutions in agriculture, education, healthcare, financial inclusion, and clean energy across all 36 states and the FCT.
Teams of 2-5 members (all 18+) can apply free at uspf.gov.ng. Fifty teams advance—one per state plus FCT, plus 13 merit selections—to Regional Demo Days across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones. One team per zone reaches the National Demo Day where the top three split the N10 million. All six finalists enter a four-week incubation program with partner Ubulu Africa.
The initiative responds to USPF's 2024 ICT gap study identifying 87 unserved clusters with 23.37 million people lacking telecom access. GSMA data shows 140 million Nigerians within mobile broadband coverage but not using internet services—highlighting the usage gap this competition aims to bridge.
If you're building tech for farming, education, health, fintech, or energy in underserved areas, this is your shot at funding, incubation, and national visibility. Applications close in five days—what's stopping you from applying?