Nurturing seeds of innovation among the youth

…UNDP Ghana’s bold initiative is transforming lives through youth-led innovation

The Young Africa Innovates (YAI) programme, led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) with funding from Mastercard Foundation, is transforming Ghana’s approach to innovation, particularly among marginalized youth.

With nearly 40% of Ghana’s population aged between 15 and 35 (according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census), this demographic represents immense untapped potential for economic growth.

However, challenges such as high youth unemployment, currently at 14.7%, and an estimated 74% failure rate among start-ups highlight a significant gap in support for young innovators.

The YAI programme seeks to address this gap by fostering inclusive innovation by empowering young individuals, particularly those traditionally excluded from the entrepreneurial ecosystem. This includes women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), and rural youth who are often faced with multiple barriers, including limited access to resources.

Throughout 2024, UNDP and its partners, such as the National Entrepreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP), the Ministry of Education, and the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations, have been conducting a nationwide scouting process, identifying almost 10,000 innovative youth across Ghana.

As a result, some of these young innovators have been selected for further support through 26 residential bootcamps across the country so far, and a bespoke Accelerator Programme designed to help them scale their ventures and drive impactful change in their communities.

This initiative is ensuring that the voices of marginalized communities are heard and their ideas supported. “By fostering an environment where the creativity of these atypical innovators is not hindered, we believe we can unlock innovative solutions that will contribute to national development,” said Niloy Banerjee, Resident Representative of UNDP in Ghana.

Central to the YAI programme is its focus on these ‘atypical innovators’—individuals from underserved backgrounds who often face barriers in accessing traditional entrepreneurship platforms.

Through an inclusive approach, the programme is seeking out these innovators, and equipping them with the tools they need to develop and scale their ideas into sustainable solutions.

Allen Anie PhD, UNDP Ghana’s Chief Technical Advisor for YAI, explained, “Our goal is to ensure that innovation is inclusive and accessible, reaching those who are often left behind.

By providing these young innovators with the necessary resources and social networks, we aim to scale their initiatives into solutions that can make a real difference in their communities.”  YAI has a target of 70% participation by female innovators underlying UNDP’s gender commitment in national development.

Approximately 43% of Ghana’s population resides in rural areas, where limited infrastructure, low literacy, and lack of access to capital can pose significant barriers to entrepreneurship.

Rural youth face nearly doubles the unemployment rates of their urban counterparts. Again, African women entrepreneurs face a $42 billion financing gap, with only 16-20% accessing long-term financing.

In Ghana, female entrepreneurs are 8% less likely than men to secure the capital and financial services needed to start or grow their businesses. YAI addresses these and other gaps by providing grants to help young innovators develop, test, and refine their ideas, including individuals without formal financial records like bank accounts or credit histories.

By focusing on these atypical innovators, YAI aims to not only   promote innovation, but also tackle systemic exclusion, empowering youth to become agents of change within their communities.

However, financial support is only part of the solution. YAI recognizes the significance of social capital—access to networks of mentors, investors, and like-minded entrepreneurs is essential for success. Through the programme, participants are connected with experienced professionals who guide them through the entrepreneurial landscape, offering insights and support to help their ideas evolve into scalable ventures.

Under YAI, training and support are offered in local languages and using culturally relevant materials, to ensure that those with limited English literacy can fully engage with the content. This accessibility, combined with experiential learning and peer-to-peer mentoring, creates an equitable environment where all participants, regardless of their backgrounds can thrive.

Allen Anie noted, “While YAI provides grants to empower young innovators, we recognize that social networks are crucial. Connecting participants with mentors is vital for their success, as these relationships help navigate the entrepreneurial landscape and ensure their solutions can scale.”

In Ghana, about 8% of the population people—face varying degrees of difficulty  in carrying out everyday activities due to disabilities. The Young Africa Innovates programme is committed to empowering PWDs.

Through collaboration with organizations like the Ghana Federation of Disability Organisations (GFD), YAI ensures that youth with disabilities are included. The programme offers specialized training and accessible learning materials tailored to the unique needs of PWDs, helping them overcome the barriers they face in entrepreneurship and innovation.

“YAI is a vital step toward inclusion for persons with disabilities. Their unique perspectives are invaluable, and I believe when supported, they can drive significant change in their communities and beyond,” said Rita Kusi Kyeremaa, Executive Director, Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations.

Unlike many innovation programmes that focus on short-term gains, YAI is committed to ensuring that participant-developed solutions are sustainable and scalable. Innovators are encouraged to tackle real-world challenges in critical sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education—areas vital for Ghana’s development.

“As we enter the scaling phase, we are committed to turning impactful ideas in sustainable agriculture, affordable healthcare, and educational technology into scalable businesses that generate jobs and promote economic growth for a more inclusive and prosperous Ghana,” stated Allen Anie.

The post Nurturing seeds of innovation among the youth appeared first on The Business & Financial Times.

Read Full Story