The UNDP Timbuktoo Pan-African MineTech Startup Incubation Programme 2026 for African MineTech startup.

Program Description

The Timbuktoo MineTech Hub will identify and support startups building technology to make African mining safer, cleaner and more transparent — from equipment that protects artisanal miners, to tools that track where minerals come from, to systems that monitor environmental damage before it spreads.

Benefits

Startups selected for the programme will receive structured incubation from accredited incubators inside the Timbuktoo network, plus access to mentors, investors and founders across the continent through the Timbuktoo digital platform, built to match founders with mentorship, learning resources, and AI-powered guidance as they prepare for investment.

Eligibility Criteria

Applications are welcome from startups working across the mining value chain, including:

• Mine safety technology and workforce protection
• Artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) formalization and mechanization
• Mineral traceability and resource governance
• Environmental monitoring and climate resilience
• Lithium-ion battery design and value chain development
• Remote and autonomous mining operations
• Mine dewatering, ventilation and geotechnical risk management
• Market access, trade and financial inclusion for mining-linked businesses

To be eligible, startups must:

• Be based in Africa or building solutions for African mining markets
• Have a working prototype or MVP, a committed team, and a clear answer to a real problem somewhere in the mining value chain
• Applications from women-led and youth-led startups are especially encouraged, and from founders working in underserved or mining-affected communities

Application Process

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with new cohorts admitted every three months. The first cohort begins in July 2026.

Deadline

Application Deadline: Ongoing