The United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Timbuktoo Initiative has opened applications for MineTech startups to join the Pan-African Incubation Network.

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.

ELIGIBILITY:

To be eligible, startups must be based in Africa or building solutions for African mining markets. They must also 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, as are those from founders working in underserved or mining-affected communities.

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

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

BENEFIT:

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.