The SDG Innovation Accelerator empowers young professionals to drive innovation aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals. Open exclusively to participating companies of the UN Global Compact, the nine-month intensive programme focuses on developing future business leaders and changemakers, building innovative and technology-driven sustainability solutions, and advancing corporate sustainability objectives.
The design of the programme reflects a practical observation: the people inside a company most likely to generate workable sustainability solutions are often junior to the people who set sustainability strategy. The Accelerator gives that group a structured route to develop an idea and take it to senior decision-makers with the analysis behind it.
The Nigeria cohort comprises 31 participating companies across diverse sectors, including leading organisations in finance, energy, telecommunications, healthcare and manufacturing.
The programme emphasises collaboration across companies, practical innovation and implementation, and strengthening private sector contribution to sustainable development. Its results this year included selection as one of five global finalists for the Leaders Summit Pitch Competition in New York City, following the Global Virtual Showcase in July.