To accelerate youth-led enterprise development across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), the Abuja Investment Company Limited (AICL), in partnership with the Abuja Enterprise Agency (AEA), has awarded ₦9.75 million in grant funding to nine emerging startups at the 2026 Abuja Young Entrepreneurs’ Hunt.
The competition selected top innovators across three key economic sectors: Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Creative Industries, and Agribusiness.
Prize Structure Across Priority Sectors
In each of the three targeted sectors, cash prizes were awarded to support direct operational expansion, equipment procurement, and market scaling:
| Award Tier | Cash Prize per Winner | Total Disbursement | Key Operational Support Provided |
| 1st Place (Sector Winners) | ₦1,500,000 | ₦4,500,000 (3 Startups) | Seed capital, investor pitch access, and media visibility. |
| 2nd Place (1st Runners-Up) | ₦1,000,000 | ₦3,000,000 (3 Startups) | Product development support & capacity training. |
| 3rd Place (2nd Runners-Up) | ₦750,000 | ₦2,250,000 (3 Startups) | Business registration assistance & mentorship access. |
Beyond Seed Capital: Mentorship & Global Expo Access
Speaking at the awards ceremony in Abuja, Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of AICL, Dr. Maureen Tamuno, emphasized that the program is structured as a long-term enterprise incubator rather than a one-time cash giveaway:
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Investor Pitching Platform: Winners and top finalists will present their business models directly to domestic and international investors at the upcoming Abuja Business and Investment Expo 3.0 (scheduled for August 5–7).
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Sustainable Mentorship: AICL and partner institutions maintain post-competition tracking systems to monitor startup progress, deliver tailored guidance, and measure business survival rates.
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Alternative Infrastructure Solutions: In response to grid power challenges, AICL is encouraging young founders to adopt off-grid renewable energy solutions, pointing to AICL-managed commercial markets currently operating entirely on green energy.
