Unlock Potential. Drive Innovation. Create Impact.
Unlocking the Potential of
Digital Public Infrastructure
by Leveraging AI Solutions
in Nigeria.
A transformative partnership designed to empower startups and innovators to deliver inclusive digital solutions for marginalized citizens and underserved communities across major sectors.
What is DPI?
Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) refers to a set of shared digital systems that are secure and interoperable, built on open standards and specifications. These systems enable the delivery of essential services and provide equitable access to public and private goods in the digital realm.
Key components of DPI
- •Digital identity systems
- •Digital payment systems
- •Data exchange systems
This project is supported by the:
About the AI Partner Ecosystem Program
Revolutionalizing
Public value with AI
This project aims to harness the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) to tackle systemic challenges and create transformative opportunities across key sectors such as health, education, agriculture, public service delivery, and women empowerment.
Grounded in the Public Value Theory, our mission is to fuel innovation, provide unparalleled support, and create a thriving ecosystem through a well curated community of practice that drives impactful AI solutions leveraging DPI.
We will look out for Three Major Factors in each Solution's Model
The program aims to select applicants based on technological and socially sustainable returns.
Startups are first benchmarked based on these criteria to evaluate the fit of a solution within the program.
Demand for Public Value
Solutions must address pressing societal needs.
Legitimacy & Support Building
Aligning with stakeholders for broad-based impact.
Operational Capacity Validation
Ensuring startups have the tools and ability to deliver sustainable results.
Selected States &
Social Issues to
be Addressed
Maternal Mortality
Gombe State has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in Nigeria, with 1,549 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2018, decreasing to 993 in 2020, still nearly double the national average of 512 (WHO, 2023). Severe maternal complications, including eclampsia, pre-eclampsia, and postpartum hemorrhage, are major causes of death (Mohammed et al., 2022). Perinatal mortality remains high, with perinatal asphyxia and prematurity as leading causes. Contributing factors include limited healthcare access, economic barriers, reliance on traditional birth attendants, and low digital infrastructure (Ope, 2020).
Applications for this cohort are closed
Eligibility Criteria
Review your product to the 4 criteria listed
Read the problem statement
In an effort to ensure fair access to underserved regions, address underrepresentation, and the persistent challenges faced in gender inclusivity, the program will pay closer attention to solutions that are focused on solving these issues and/or offer high social impacts.
In an effort to ensure fair access to underserved regions, address underrepresentation, and the persistent challenges faced in gender inclusivity, the program will pay closer attention to solutions that are focused on solving these issues and/or offer high social impacts.
How would the AI Ecosystem Partnership
Selection Committee evaluate applications?
Application Review &
Selection Process
Preliminary Application Review
Submit your initial application highlighting your solution and impact.
First Stage Review
Our panel evaluates the quality of your solution, gender inclusion efforts, and technical alignment with public needs
Second Stage Review
Finalists undergo a thorough assessment of operational readiness and public value impact
Frequently askedQuestions
Eligible startups should demonstrate a strong problem-solution fit with traction, have a commitment to inclusive innovation addressing gender and marginalization gaps, possess a deeply technical solution preferably an AI company, leveraging DPI for service delivery, and have a functioning MVP with active user engagement. Idea-stage solutions are not eligible
- Have an existing product or service aligned with DPI-driven innovation.
- Demonstrate strong potential for impact and scalability.
- Are looking to enhance government collaboration and market access through DPI.
Yes, The product residency is a core component of the program.
At least one, preferably the CTO of the company and at most two, the Founder and the CTO
- Selected participants are expected to build a working solution that strongly leverages any component of the DPI, addressing any of the issues identified in the problem statements, targeting one more state of focus.
- 3 months of unhindered focus in a product residency in Lagos to product integration and development.
- Dedication and commitment to solving for the underserved communities and marginalized populations
We are looking to select 15 startups that meet the program's criteria and demonstrate strong potential for impact and scale.
No.
No. Each startup can submit only one application. If your company has multiple solutions, apply with the most impactful and scalable one.
Yes, company registration is strongly encouraged. Due diligence will be conducted at the final selection stage to verify eligibility.