The United Nations Development Programme, in partnership with the Young Africa Innovates (YAI) Programme, has unveiled 31 youth innovators in Akwa Ibom in strategic sectors such as tourism, creative enterprise, local culture, and small businesses.
The programme is funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Mastercard Foundation with technical support from NerdzFactory Company.
The programme also covers the seven focal states of Lagos, Ekiti, Kwara, Kaduna, Anambra, Akwa Ibom and Borno.
The theme of the Innovators State Showcase for Akwa Ibom, which was held in Uyo at the weekend, was: “Youth Innovation as Driver of State Development”.
Speaking at the weekend, the project manager of YAI, Ifeyonwa Egwaoje, in her address explained that the focus for Akwa Ibom state was on tourism and creative enterprise in line with the ARISE Agenda of Pastor Umo Eno’s administration.
Egwaoje said the programme was a celebration of young people who have found solutions to society’s problems and challenges while creating jobs in the process.
“In Akwa Ibom, the YAI Programme focused on tourism and creative enterprise, bringing together 31 young innovators developing solutions that promote sustainable tourism, local culture, and small business growth.
“Akwa Ibom also has a vibrant cultural tapestry woven with diverse traditions, languages, and artistic expressions, which is evident in their annual festivals, culinary delights, and warm hospitality.
“The programme is aimed at leveraging Akwa Ibom’s coastal and cultural heritage to promote tourism innovations that can stimulate job creation, enhance service delivery, and showcase the region as a competitive destination”, she said.
On the YAI Programme she said, “Innovation isn’t just about technology. It’s about solving real problems that affect real people.
“The state showcase is a celebration of young people doing exactly that: building climate solutions, inclusive fintech tools, waste-to-wealth platforms, agro-logistics systems, and more.
“The Young Africa Innovates Programme (2023-2025) is a partnership between the UNDP and the MasterCard Foundation aimed at catalysing youth-led innovations to drive socioeconomic development.”
She said the programme focuses on identifying, incubating, and scaling innovations of young people across diverse sectors.
According to her, YAI equips young innovators with the skills, tools, structures, and mentorship required to transform bold ideas into scalable, market-ready solutions.
“Through a combination of customised training, practical experimentation, technical coaching, and targeted ecosystem engagement, the programme ensures that young innovators can validate, refine, and scale solutions that create meaningful impact in their communities.”
One of the innovators, Beatrice Ekemini Joshua, said she specialises in manufacturing and selling historical costumes and handmade accessories.
“I am establishing a cultural art hub through the manufacturing and selling of historical costumes and handmade accessories, creating empowerment, cultural preservation, and global recognition,” she said.
