Mind the Gap

What Mind the Gap does

Mind the Gap Community and Youth Development Foundation is a Nigerian non-profit foundation established in 2008 and headquartered in Lagos, with a secondary office in Abuja. The organization provides project-based strategic skills development, job creation, and social enterprise incubation for Nigerian youth, operating under a three-pillar model that combines workforce training, employer/MSME linkage, and entrepreneurial incubation. Its core technology consists of structured digital skills and AI literacy curricula (including the SAY-WEE women's employability curriculum and the Experience AI program co-developed with Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google DeepMind), delivered through physical training events, online platforms (YouthBizNG.com, OnTheJob.ng, MySDG.ng), and YouTube Live streaming.

The organization reaches beneficiaries primarily through its privileged partnership with Nigeria's National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), operating at all 37 NYSC orientation camps and through Digital Onboarders Community Development Service (CDS) groups with an annual mandate of 10,000 trained corps members across all 36 states and FCT. Major partners include Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (#YouthEmpowered), Google, Microsoft, Zenith Bank, Providus Bank, UNICEF, TechnoServe, Raspberry Pi Foundation/Google DeepMind, NITDA, and SMEDAN. Programs include Experience AI, #YouthEmpowered, SAY-WEE, DL4ALL, Good2Go & Talent Stream, DigitalFirstNG, Digital Mum NG, Teensnomics, On The Job (targeting YNEET youth), and the ACDD Hub for social enterprise incubation.

Mind the Gap operates as a grant and corporate social responsibility (CSR)-funded foundation with no program fees charged to beneficiaries. Revenue derives from corporate grants, multilateral/UN agency funding (UNICEF), and government agency partnerships (NYSC, NITDA, SMEDAN). Cumulative reported impact includes 500,000+ youths engaged, 1,000,000+ reached, 10,000+ educators trained, 14,500+ businesses profiled on Google, 1,322 hours of NYSC orientation camp training over three years, and 50,000+ National Youth Investment Fund applicants trained on digital skills. The organization has 11-50 employees and has been recognized as the second most strategic and impactful NYSC Community Development Programme partner for two consecutive periods.

Name

Mind the Gap

Legal name

Mind the Gap Community and Youth Development Foundation

Website

https://mindthegap.ng

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Mind the Gap is a Nigerian non-profit foundation delivering digital skills, AI literacy, employability, and entrepreneurship training to Nigerian youth across all 36 states, primarily through the NYSC partnership and CSR-funded programs serving over 500,000 beneficiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Youth Skills Development

NAICS

Educational Support Services (61171), Computer Training (611420), Educational Services (611)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

STEM, Digital Literacy & Maker Education Nonprofits (BPAGADAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Youth-to-Adult Transition & Life Skills (Independent Living, Soft Skills) (EDAAAFAN), Basic Coding & Computational Thinking (EDAAAIAN), Innovation & Design Thinking Programs (EDAMAHAD)

Keywords

• Youth skills training
• Digital literacy programs
• Social enterprise incubation
• AI literacy education
• Workforce development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Suru-lere

HQ country

Nigeria

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding and CSR Partnerships: Mind the Gap operates as a non-profit foundation funded primarily through grants, corporate social responsibility (CSR) partnerships with companies like Coca-Cola Hellenic, Google, Microsoft, and Zenith Bank, and government partnerships with NYSC, NITDA, and SMEDAN. Revenue is not generated from program fees but from partner funding to deliver youth development outcomes.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Mind the Gap is a non-profit foundation that delivers project-based skills development, job creation, and social enterprise incubation programs for Nigerian youth. It operates programs such as Experience AI (AI literacy), #YouthEmpowered (employability and entrepreneurship training), SAY-WEE (young women skills), DL4ALL (digital literacy for NYSC corps members), Good2Go & Talent Stream, DigitalFirstNG, and incubation platforms like MySDG and ACDD Hub. Programs are delivered free to beneficiaries through partnerships with NYSC, government agencies, and corporate CSR sponsors.

Product overview

Mind the Gap operates as a multi-program youth development organization offering a diverse portfolio of interconnected programs and platforms. The core offerings include Experience AI (AI literacy), #YouthEmpowered (employability training), SAY-WEE (women's empowerment), DL4ALL (digital literacy for NYSC corps members), and Good2Go (post-NYSC transition support). These programs are complemented by dedicated platforms like YouthBizNG.com (business listings) and YouthNomics (research and advocacy). The organization also runs sector-specific initiatives including DigitalFirstNG (MSME digitization), Digital Mum NG (mothers' tech skills), and Teensnomics (financial literacy for teenagers), alongside incubation programs like iHatch and the ACDD Hub for social enterprise development. Programs like On The Job target underserved YNEET youth, while the Generation Leader program provides post-NYSC career acceleration. Together, these offerings form a comprehensive ecosystem addressing youth skills development from adolescence through early career, with programs available at https://mindthegap.ng/our-programmes/.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Experience AI: AI literacy and empowerment initiative designed to demystify Artificial Intelligence for educators, students, and everyday learners.
• DL4ALL
• SAY-WEE
• Good2Go & Talent Stream
• YouthBizNG
• Teensnomics
• Digital Mum NG
• OnTheJob
• DigitalFirstNG
• Africa Center For Demographic Dividend Hub (ACDD Hub)

Products and services

• Experience AI AI literacy and empowerment initiative designed to demystify Artificial Intelligence and make it accessible to educators, students, and everyday learners through hands-on workshops, summer classes, and structured learning experiences.
• #YouthEmpowered Employability and entrepreneurship training program for young individuals aged 18-30, providing skills training, mentorship, and career guidance.
• SAY-WEE (Skilling Adolescent Young Women for Employability and Entrepreneurship) Targeted initiative equipping adolescent young women in Kano and Lagos with essential employability skills and entrepreneurial knowledge through workshops, mentorship, and practical exercises.
• DL4ALL (Digital Literacy For All) NYSC Community Development Service group dedicated to driving digital transformation across Nigeria by equipping youth with essential digital skills for academic excellence and career readiness.
• Good2Go & Talent Stream Transformative initiative focused on fostering inclusive digital adoption by mobilizing, training, and mentoring Nigerian youths with digital skills, mindset, and professional readiness for the technology-driven world.
• YouthBizNG.com Online business listing and digital economy platform supporting MSMEs and youth-owned businesses with digital presence and market visibility.
• Teensnomics Specialized youth development program introducing teenagers to digital economy principles, financial literacy, and entrepreneurship through project-based learning and future readiness training.
• On The Job: Employment & Entrepreneurship Internship Programme Initiative empowering YNEET (Youth Not in Education, Employment, and Training) with 21st century digital skills needed to obtain jobs or start businesses, providing training in digital business management, graphics design, programming, and mentorship.
• DigitalFirstNG: Enterprise Support Programme Post-COVID initiative dedicated to bolstering traditional businesses by facilitating adoption of digital strategies for growth through strategic support, training, and resources, delivered in partnership with SMEDAN.
• Digital Mum NG Empowering program dedicated to Nigerian mothers ready to embrace technology, equipping them with essential tech skills, knowledge, and confidence to navigate the digital world.
• MySDG Social Enterprise Incubation Programme Incubation program supporting social enterprises aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
• Generation Leader Intrapreneurship and Community Managers Outsourcing Programme Paid, project-based post-NYSC internship program serving as a career launchpad or startup incubation for NYSC members, focusing on intrapreneurship and community management skills.
• Africa Center For Demographic Dividend (ACDD) Hub Innovation and enterprise development hub focused on youth-led innovation, social enterprise incubation, and community-based solutions aligned with national and global development priorities.
• YouthNomics Youth development initiative and research program focused on understanding youth economic participation and creating pathways for sustainable livelihoods.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trained over 50,000 National Youth Investment Fund applicants on digital skills
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

16 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Coca-Cola Hellenic Bottling Company (CCHBC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCCHBC initiated the #YouthEmpowered program through Mind the Gap, aiming to foster a generation of skilled, confident, and economically active young individuals. Mind the Gap delivers comprehensive training covering employability skills, entrepreneurship, confidence building, and professional networking to ambitious youth aged 18-30 across Nigeria.
• TechnoServecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnoServe partners with Mind the Gap on the SAY-WEE (Skilling Adolescent Young Women for Employability and Entrepreneurship) program, which is also supported by UNICEF. The program targets adolescent young women in Kano and Lagos, providing comprehensive training for professional readiness and entrepreneurial pursuits.
• UNICEFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUNICEF supports the SAY-WEE program targeting adolescent young women in Kano and Lagos, contributing to economic empowerment and gender equality outcomes for young women across Nigeria.
• GoogleflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle partners with Mind the Gap through Google Digital Skills, CS First, and Developer Student Clubs programs. Mind the Gap has led marketing activations for Google targeting the youth market and delivers Google-certified digital skills training through NYSC camps and partner institutions.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMicrosoft collaborates with Mind the Gap on youth digital skills initiatives, providing technology platforms and resources for training programs targeting Nigerian youth.
• National Youth Service Corps (NYSC)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerNYSC partners with Mind the Gap to operate Digital Onboarders CDS groups and DEEL Ambassadors with a 10,000 annual mandate. Mind the Gap conducts digital skills training at all 37 NYSC orientation camps nationwide and has been recognized as the second most strategic NYSC CDP partner.
• NITDA (National Information Technology Development Agency)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNITDA supports the Good2Go & Talent Stream program, which mobilizes, trains, and mentors Nigerian youth in digital skills, mindset, and professional readiness for the technology-driven job market.
• Zenith BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZenith Bank partners with Mind the Gap to deliver digital skills training to Nigerian undergraduates across more than 10 institutions, leveraging the bank's resources and youth banking customer base.
• SMEDAN (Small and Medium Enterprise Development Agency of Nigeria)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSMEDAN partners with Mind the Gap to train 1,000 SMEs annually on digital skills, supporting small business digital transformation across Nigeria.
• Africa AgilityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAfrica Agility collaborated with Mind the Gap to train and mentor over 1,000 Girls-In-Tech, promoting technology careers for young women in Nigeria.
• Raspberry Pi FoundationflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerRaspberry Pi Foundation partnered with Mind the Gap Foundation to bring the Experience AI program into Nigerian classrooms. Experience AI was developed by Raspberry Pi Foundation and Google DeepMind, funded by Google.org. The program introduces AI concepts to young learners and educators through practical, engaging resources.
• Google DeepMindflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerGoogle DeepMind co-developed the Experience AI educational program with Raspberry Pi Foundation, providing the AI expertise and content for Mind the Gap's Nigerian classroom implementation.
• AccessDriveNgminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerAccessDriveNg collaborated with Mind the Gap to train ICT teachers in Lagos State, supporting digital literacy capacity building in schools.
• BusinessDay NGminorGTM or Marketing PartnerBusinessDay NG featured the Experience AI educational program launch and Mind the Gap's initiatives, providing press coverage and earned media visibility for the organization's programs.
• Providus BankcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvidus Bank partners with Mind the Gap and the Enterprise Development Center (EDC) to deliver the 2026 Providus Bank SME Program, designed to strengthen the capacity of Nigerian business owners through skills development, strategic planning, and growth support.
• Enterprise Development Center (EDC)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerEDC partners with Providus Bank and Mind the Gap to deliver the SME Program, providing business development expertise, curriculum, and program facilitation for Nigerian business owners.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tony Elumelu Foundation: Nigeria-based philanthropic foundation running the TEF Entrepreneurship Program, training and funding African entrepreneurs across all 54 African countries. Directly comparable as a high-profile Nigerian/African youth entrepreneurship and skills-development platform operating with corporate partner funding.
• Africa Agility: Organization promoting technology education and careers for African women through programs like Girls-In-Tech. Mind the Gap has collaborated with Africa Agility on training 1,000+ Girls-In-Tech, making them both partners and direct comparables in the African women-in-tech space.
• Junior Achievement Nigeria: Nigerian affiliate of Junior Achievement Worldwide, delivering entrepreneurship, work readiness, and financial literacy programs to Nigerian youth. Direct comparable in mission, target demographic, and geographic focus, with a longer history and global brand affiliation.

Broad incumbents

• Generation (by McKinsey): Global non-profit founded by McKinsey providing skills training, mentorship, and job placement for unemployed youth. Operates in multiple African countries with employer-aligned curricula, comparable in mission to Mind the Gap but with significantly larger international footprint and corporate placement infrastructure.
• TechnoServe: International non-profit working with enterprising people in the developing world to build competitive farms, businesses, and industries. Already partners with Mind the Gap on SAY-WEE, and is a comparable youth employability and entrepreneurship platform across Africa.
• Andela: Africa-origin tech talent marketplace that trains and places African software engineers globally. Comparable in mission of building African digital talent capacity, though operating a for-profit, employer-paid model versus Mind the Gap's grant-funded model.

Regional players

• Harambee Youth Employment Accelerator: South African non-profit solving youth unemployment through skills development and employer matching. Operates in a different geography but is highly comparable in mission, methodology (employability training + employer partnerships), and target demographic.
• Educate!: Uganda-headquartered non-profit training youth in leadership and entrepreneurship through secondary school programs and post-secondary employment programs. Comparable as an East African youth employability non-profit, though with a stronger school-system integration model.

Emerging players

• SAY Technologies / Youth Empowerment Network: Nigerian youth-focused programs and platforms delivering skills development and digital literacy. Multiple smaller Nigerian NGOs operate in the youth employability space with comparable focus but narrower geographic or thematic reach.

Others

• Mastercard Foundation: Major philanthropic funder of African youth education and employment programs (e.g., Young Africa Works). Not a direct competitor but a critical institutional funder and ecosystem partner comparable in mission and target outcomes, often funding organizations like Mind the Gap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/mindthegapng
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@YouthsAreHere
• Facebookfacebook.com/mindthegapng
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/digitalme-ng
• Instagraminstagram.com/mindthe_gapng

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Mind the Gap