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About the Challenge
About the Challenge
Africa has one of the fastest-growing youth populations in the world. By 2050, research shows that one in every three young people will be African. This connects directly with the work of Doing Good Work in Africa (DOWA) and ConnectED Diaspora, which is focused on empowering young people and unlocking their potential across the continent and beyond.
Both organizations have partnered together to create an opportunity that seeks to fund the next top business-tech start-up in Nigeria. We bring to you the DOWA x ConnectED Diaspora “Building, Breaking and Believing in Nigeria” Start-up Challenge.
The Goal
The goal of this challenge is to identify, empower and support young people to develop feasible tech-driven, innovative, and scalable business ideas that can shape the future of communities, industries, and economies, while also addressing pressing local challenges.
We invite young innovators, tech-driven thinkers, and bold problem-solvers - both in the diaspora and at home- to submit transformative ideas for the Building, Breaking and Believing in Nigeria: Start-up Challenge 2025.
The Challenge is Open to Undergraduates, Graduates, and recent Graduates of Nigerian descent, both home and abroad.
Participants may enter individually or as a team of up to two .
What You Stand to Gain
What You Stand to Gain
⚠️Winners outside Nigeria will be awarded the dollar equivalent of the naira prizes⚠️
Ist Place - NGN1,000,000
2nd Place - NGN500,00
3rd Place - NGN300,000
Other opportunities include:
Opportunity to present your final pitch at the ConnectED Diaspora “Building, Breaking & Believing” event;
Access to powerful DOWA × ConnectED Diaspora networks and partners;
Guaranteed spot in the 2026 in-person Summer Internship with a Tech Organization
Submission Requirements
Submission Requirements
Applicants MUST submit:
1. A two-page business ideation brief, written in English (Times New Roman, size 12, spacing 1.15, .docx format);
2. A graphic image visually representing the idea.
⚠: All briefs will be screened according to the challenge guidelines and reviewed by an independent panel of judges.
Judges Evaluation and Audience Vote:
Submissions of the one-page graphic design will be evaluated through an audience poll on Instagram.
Important Dates
Important Dates
Call for Applications: Nov 18, 2025 - Dec 12, 2025
Voting Opens from Dec 13, 2025 - Dec 17, 2025
Winner Announcement Dec 18, 2025
First place presentation: December 19, 2025 (in-person)
For questions and enquiries: info@dowafrica.org
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