Applications are now open for the 2026 CivicHive CivicTech Fellowship Programme, an incubation initiative designed to support early-stage civic technology ideas and solutions across West Africa. The fellowship welcomes ideas at any stage and scale, from local and hyperlocal initiatives to regional platforms, and supports diverse uses of technology including radio, SMS, print, artificial intelligence, and social media.
Why This Fellowship Matters
Across West Africa, many civic challenges persist around governance, service delivery, climate resilience, and civic participation. Yet, early-stage innovators working on solutions in these areas often lack the technical support, funding, and networks needed to grow. The CivicHive CivicTech Fellowship addresses this gap by providing structured incubation, mentorship, and financial support to help civic tech ideas move from testing to early scaling. The programme is focused on strengthening civic space, accountability, and citizen participation through practical, context-driven innovation.
Thematic Focus Area
The fellowship supports civic tech solutions working within the following areas:
- Artificial Intelligence for Good, focusing on responsible AI use to address social challenges, strengthen accountability, reduce bias, and promote transparent and inclusive AI governance.
- Low-Cost Climate Tech Solutions, supporting affordable, tech-driven innovations for climate adaptation, agriculture, environmental management, food security, and community resilience, especially in resource-constrained settings.
- Technology for Social Good in Health, Education, and Justice, targeting improved access to essential public services, rights protection, and closing service delivery gaps.
- Advocacy and Social Movements, supporting tools that strengthen civic organising, collective action, and citizen-led movements, particularly in shrinking civic spaces or contexts of exclusion.
Eligibility Requirement
Applicants must meet the following criteria to be considered:
- Be a citizen or resident of any West African country.
- Apply as an individual or as part of a team working on a civic tech idea or solution.
- Have tested the solution or have been in operation for between one and three years.
- Ensure the solution aligns with at least one of the fellowship’s thematic areas.
- Demonstrate a clear public-interest or social impact focus, particularly in accountability, participation, service delivery, or civic space strengthening.
- Be available to fully participate in all fellowship activities for the duration of the programme.
- Be open to mentorship, peer learning, collaboration, and iteration within a regional civic tech ecosystem.
Benefit
Selected fellows will receive technical, product, and legal support, mentorship from experienced civic tech leaders, access to a regional civic tech network, a monthly stipend throughout the fellowship, support to prepare solutions for launch and early scaling, and a fully funded trip to attend the 2026 West Africa Civic Tech Conference. A total of 15 civic tech solutions will be incubated under the programme.
APPLICATION TIMELINE
Applications open on January 23, 2026, and close on February 11, 2026.
Fellows will be announced on February 23, 2026.
The fellowship programme will run from March 3 to June 30, 2026, with lab sessions scheduled between March 31 and April 16, 2026.
Demo Day will take place on July 23, 2026.
For More Information, Apply Here
https://civichive.org/fellowship/
