The United Nations Development Programme has officially opened applications for a major new initiative for African education technology startups called Get Ready 4 Timbuktoo EdTech, providing emerging innovators with structured support and developmental opportunities. This online incubation programme aims to help early-stage technology entrepreneurs refine their offerings, strengthen business plans and prepare for growth and investment across the continent, according to UNDP.
Launched from the Senegalese capital Dakar earlier this year, this call for applications shines a spotlight on Africa’s potential to lead in educational innovation at a time when the demand for inclusive, relevant and accessible learning solutions is growing rapidly. With more than 100 million young Africans still lacking quality learning opportunities, UNDP and its partners are investing in homegrown solutions that can address educational inequality and transform learning systems across the continent.
Successful applicants will join a three-month fully online journey designed to help them emerge as better prepared, better connected and more investment-ready enterprises. The programme’s intent is to build local capacity while creating a pipeline of high-impact EdTech ventures that can meaningfully strengthen education access, quality and employability for Africa’s youth.
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What the Get Ready 4 Timbuktoo EdTech Programme Offers
Over a period of three months, the incubation cycle will support up to 50 promising EdTech startups from across Africa. To be eligible, ventures must already have a working or testable prototype and a desire to grow beyond concept to tangible impact.
Participants will benefit from a carefully structured and comprehensive support package built around five strategic pillars. This includes:
- A maturity diagnostic that evaluates product, market fit, impact potential and traction, allowing organisers to tailor the journey for each startup.
- Expert-led online modules covering growth strategy, fundraising, product development and the science of learning.
- Mentorship and coaching from experienced leaders in EdTech, AI, product design and business growth.
- Opportunities for financial support, including prototyping or user-testing grants, are subject to meeting programme milestones.
- Networking access to the larger timbuktoo ecosystem, with visibility among investors, innovation hubs and peer founders across Africa.
All teaching, mentoring and networking happens online, enabling innovators from across the continent to participate without relocating. Weekly sessions and guided activities keep the pace engaging while enabling founders to commit around six to eight hours per week during the programme period.
Who Should Apply and How to Submit
This call is aimed at African EdTech entrepreneurs with solutions tackling clearly defined educational challenges such as access, inclusion, quality teaching, employability or skills development. To be considered eligible, applicants must:
- Be based anywhere in Africa with a verifiable operational base.
- Have a functional prototype or testable product.
- Be prepared to dedicate focused time weekly throughout the three-month programme.
- Demonstrate a potential for positive impact at scale.
Particular encouragement is extended to ventures that are woman-led, based in rural or underserved areas, and those incorporating local languages or accessibility considerations into their offerings. This reflects a broader commitment to inclusivity and relevance in local education ecosystems.
Applications are open until 18 February 2026, and founders are urged to start early to ensure their submission stands out. Interested teams can apply through the dedicated online platform provided by the organisers.
Why This Matters for African Education and Innovation
The Get Ready 4 Timbuktoo EdTech programme sits within the broader timbuktoo initiative, a pan-African innovation platform led by UNDP aimed at positioning Africa as a global leader in technology and entrepreneurship. Through a continental network of sector-focused hubs, the initiative aims to support 10,000 startups, catalyse US$1 billion in investment over the next decade, impact 100 million lives and generate US$10 billion in socioeconomic value.
The dedicated EdTech Hub of timbuktoo, based in Dakar, serves as a focal point for advancing learning technology solutions that can address deep-seated challenges in education across Africa. By nurturing homegrown educational technology ventures, UNDP and partners hope not only to improve access and quality but also to enhance youth employability and lifelong learning pathways in a rapidly changing digital world.
In the broader context of Africa’s digital transformation, programmes like Get Ready 4 Timbuktoo EdTech stand out as crucial springs of support for innovators who often face barriers in accessing capital, expert guidance and regional networks. With structured incubation, mentorship and visibility to potential investors, participating startups will be well positioned to move from early prototype stages to market growth and real-world adoption.
For many founders, this is more than a chance to accelerate a business idea. It offers a genuine pathway to build solutions that can change the education landscape for millions of learners across Africa.
Applications remain open as the deadline draws near, and this moment presents an important opportunity for founders who are passionate about education and innovation to take the next step.
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