Nigeria’s Universal Service Provision Fund (USPF) is offering ₦10 million in prizes through its 2026 Changemaker Challenge for technology solutions serving underserved communities.
Applications opened on November 2 and close at 11:59 p.m. West Africa Time on Sunday, November 15. The competition is open across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Its central question is whether technology can work where connectivity, affordability and access remain difficult. Universal Service Provision Fund+1
Five problem areas, not simply five app ideas
The challenge covers agriculture, education, healthcare, clean and affordable energy, and financial inclusion. Each has a published problem statement. Applicants must choose one and show how their ICT-led solution could work in an underserved Nigerian community. Universal Service Provision Fund
The briefs point to practical needs, including better farmer access to information, inputs and markets; learning tools for low-bandwidth settings; healthcare navigation and follow-up; energy-cost information and maintenance; and affordable, trustworthy financial services.
The real test is whether people can use the technology
A product that depends on constant internet access or expensive smartphones may not serve the communities the competition targets. The briefs therefore favour solutions that account for limited electricity, affordability, trust and local needs. Applicants must explain who can use their technology and under what conditions, not simply describe its features.
Who can apply and how selection works
Applications must come from teams of two to five members, all aged 18 or older. Applicants must be Nigerian citizens or legal residents living in Nigeria. A registered company is not compulsory; an ICT-led idea, prototype, minimum viable product or working system can qualify if it responds to a published problem statement.
Participation is free. After screening, 50 teams will be selected for six virtual Regional Demo Days. Up to 37 places are reserved for state and FCT teams, with 13 additional places for high-scoring teams selected on merit. One team from each geopolitical zone will then reach the in-person National Demo Day in Abuja.
What finalists stand to gain
The three national winners will receive ₦5 million, ₦3 million and ₦2 million respectively. All six finalists will receive four weeks of structured incubation and venture support. The programme says teams retain full ownership of their intellectual property. Universal Service Provision Fund
Back Story: The connectivity gap behind the challenge
The USPF was established under the Nigerian Communications Act 2003 to promote wider access to telecommunications services, particularly in unserved and underserved areas. Its 2024 ICT gap study identified 87 clusters with an estimated population of 23.37 million. The Fund’s published figures show that identified clusters fell from 97 in 2022 to 87 in 2024. United States Postal Fund+1
These are geographic connectivity figures, not a complete measure of digital exclusion. The challenge’s sector briefs recognise other barriers, including cost, devices, electricity, skills and trust. A network signal does not guarantee that people can afford or benefit from a digital service.
The test for participating startups will therefore be practical adoption, not novelty alone. Teams should study their chosen sector’s full problem statement and apply through the official USPF Changemaker Challenge website before 11:59 p.m.
