The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UNLEASH have signed a new partnershipto boost youth innovation across Africa through the timbuktoo University Innovation Pods (UniPods). This strategic alliance aims to support timbuktoo's ambition of reaching and equipping more than 10,000 young changemakers and supporting the scaling of 1,000 youth-led startups through a shared innovation pipeline.

Building on an shared mission to harness youth creativity for sustainable development, timbuktoo and UNLEASH will co-host a series of Hacks and Innovation Labs focused on fostering creative, community-driven solutions to local SDG challenges.

“Youth across Africa are not waiting for change — they are making it happen. This partnership between UNDP and UNLEASH is about standing with them, creating space for their ideas to grow, and giving them the tools to lead,” said Ahunna Eziakonwa, Assistant UN Secretary General and Director of UNDP Regional Bureau for Africa. “Together with UNLEASH, we’re building platforms where young changemakers can imagine, prototype, and bring their solutions to life. Africa is full of energy, talent, and ideas - we must keep investing in youth innovation to shape the future.”

Launched at Davos in January 2024, the timbuktoo initiative addresses critical gaps in Africa’s startup ecosystem by connecting governments, investors, corporations, and universities through a network of thematic innovation hubs and UniPods. Through this partnership, UNDP through the timbuktoo initiative and UNLEASH will co-deliver Hacks and Innovation Labs, provide prototyping and mentorship support, facilitate talent and expert exchange, coordinate joint communications to showcase youth innovation, and collaborate on resource mobilization for shared initiatives.

This partnership reaffirms UNDP and UNLEASH’s shared commitment to youth-led innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. Together, they are creating the conditions for African youth to thrive, generate solutions, and lead lasting change.