The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has opened applications for the fourth edition of its flagship entrepreneurial initiative, NSIA Prize for Innovation (NPI 4.0), with a combined prize pool of $275,000 and potential access to up to $1.5 million in additional funding.
Running under a theme, ‘Building for Impact’, this year’s edition will focus exclusively on startups operating in three sectors: Manufacturing, Climate and Food Security, and Headcare, areas the NSIA considers critical to Nigeria’s economic growth and sustainable development.
The prize pool is drawn from three partners: $220,000 from the NSIA, $45,000 from Cascador, and $10,000 from Wema Bank. Beyond the grants, winners may access up to $1.5 million in growth capital through the Pula Xcelerator and will be eligible to compete for a share of N100 million in equity-free grants at the Ground Finale of the Wema Bank Hackholics.
NSIA’s Managing Director and CEO, Aminu-Umar-Sadiq, described the programme as more than a competition. “Through the NSIA Prize for Innovation, we are creating opportunities for these innovators to access the funding, training, mentorship, and strategic partnerships they need to scale their ideas into sustainable businesses,” he said.
Winners would also receive fully-funded training at the Enterprise Development Centre (EDC) in Lagos, covering business strategy, financial management, leadership, governance, and investor readiness.
Since its launch, the programme has drawn over 20,0000 applications across its first three editions, with participants spanning all six geopolitical zones and sectors ranging from fintech, agritech, and healthtech, edtech, and logistics.
Cascador’s Executive Director, Trish Thomas, reaffirmed the organisation’s support, noting that their $45,000 ‘Cascador Prize for Impact,” targets ventures with potential to drive meaningful social change.
“Cascador is proud to partner with NSIA again in 2026 to reward ground-breaking ideas that can change communities and lives for the better,” he said
Startups with technologies, products, or solutions addressing challenges in the three focus sectors are encouraged to apply.
