AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest 2026: Apply Link
The AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest 2026 is an agribusiness entrepreneurship and innovation programme for young Nigerians aged 18–35 who are running or developing businesses in agricultural value chains.
The initiative focuses on identifying promising youth-led agribusiness ideas and providing access-to-finance training, expert-reviewed pitching opportunities, mentorship and connections with potential financiers.
AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest Summary
- Training Title: AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest 2026
- Training Organization/Provider: AGRA–SMEDAN
- Training Type: Entrepreneurship Training / Agribusiness Skills Training / Innovation Contest
- Industry: Agriculture / Agribusiness / Entrepreneurship
- Location: Nationwide, Nigeria
- Eligibility/Career Level: Nigerian youths aged 18–35 running or developing agribusinesses
- Business Stage: Idea stage to established agribusiness
- Focus Areas: Maize, Rice, Soybean and Allied Agrifood Value Chains
- Mentorship Duration: Six months for winners
- Cost/Fees: Not specified
- Certificate: Certified access-to-finance training
- Seed Funding: Seed capital and support for ten winners; individual amounts not specified
About the Training
The AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest 2026 is an agribusiness entrepreneurship and innovation initiative focused on supporting young Nigerians working across agricultural value chains.
The programme is designed to identify promising youth-led agricultural businesses and ideas, provide access-to-finance training and connect participants with potential financiers.
AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest Focus Areas
The contest covers four main agricultural value-chain categories.
- Maize Value Chain
- The maize category covers agribusiness activities across the value chain, from field production to feed mills.
- Rice Value Chain
- This category focuses on activities within the rice value chain, including paddy production and processing into milled grain.
- Soybean Value Chain
- The soybean category covers protein-related agribusiness opportunities and value addition.
- Allied Agrifood Value Chains
- The programme also welcomes eligible innovations and businesses operating in other related agrifood value chains.
AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest Requirements
Applicants interested in the AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest 2026 must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Be a Nigerian youth.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Be running an agribusiness or developing an agribusiness idea.
- Be based in any state in Nigeria.
- Operate or intend to operate within maize, rice, soybean or allied agrifood value chains.
- Applicants may be at any business development stage, from idea stage to an established business.
Who Is Encouraged to Apply?
The programme specifically encourages applications from:
- Women.
- Rural youth.
- Persons with disabilities.
- Young agricultural entrepreneurs.
- Young Nigerians developing agribusiness ideas.
- Existing agribusiness owners who meet the eligibility requirements.
A minimum academic qualification, previous business experience requirement and specific professional certification requirement were not specified.
AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest Benefits
The AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest provides the following stated benefits and opportunities:
- Certified access-to-finance training.
- Opportunities to participate in expert-reviewed pitch rounds.
- Participation opportunities in a live grand finale.
- Access to a Deal Room with financiers.
- Seed capital and support for ten winners.
- Six months of mentorship for winners.
- Six months of aftercare support for winners.
- Opportunities to present agribusiness ideas to potential financiers.
How to Apply for AGRA–SMEDAN Youth Agri-Innovation Contest
Interested young Nigerians who meet the eligibility requirements should apply through the provided Youth Agri-Innovation Contest application portal.
Application Portal: https://www.youthagriinnovate.ng/apply
Application Deadline: Not specified.
