OYES 2026 · Onitsha, Anambra State · Nov 14–15
Cross into your next chapter.
Every November, young traders, builders and creatives cross the Niger Bridge into two days of skills clinics, funding conversations and job placements — hosted in Onitsha's own commercial heartland.
Early-bird registration closes in
About OYES
A summit built on Onitsha's own hustle.
Onitsha has always been a bridgehead — the point where the Niger is crossed and trade begins. Its market is one of West Africa's largest, and its "igba-boi" apprenticeship tradition has quietly produced generations of entrepreneurs. OYES channels that same energy into a structured two days: hands-on skills clinics, direct funding access, and a civic platform for the region's young people, ages 16 to 35.
Why Attend
Six ways to leave with more than you came with.
Every track is designed to end in something concrete — a skill, a contact, a naira amount, or a placement.
Skills Clinics
Hands-on sessions in digital marketing, no-code product building, food processing & packaging, and solar installation.
Track 01Founders' Fireside
Unscripted conversations with entrepreneurs who scaled out of Onitsha's markets and Asaba's tech corridor.
Track 02Grants & Funding Bazaar
Face-time with microfinance banks, angel investors and state youth funds — plus live pitch slots.
Track 03Jobs & Modern Apprenticeship
Live vacancies and a reimagined "igba-boi" placement desk connecting mentors to willing hands.
Track 04Digital & Fintech Track
Cashless commerce, POS agent business models, and social selling for market traders going online.
Track 05Civic Leadership Lab
A practical playbook for organizing at ward level and engaging local government on youth priorities.
Track 06Agenda
Two days, one crossing.
The programme is built like the bridge itself — one continuous path from where you are to where you're headed.
Registration & Market Walk-In
Badge pickup and an open-air row of youth-run vendor stalls to browse while sessions fill up.
Opening Ceremony & Keynote
"The New Onitsha Economy" — framing the two days ahead.
Panel: Shop Floor to Storefront
Traders and platform builders on moving a stall online without losing the customers who trust you in person.
Digital & FintechSkills Clinics I
Three concurrent rooms: Digital Marketing · No-Code Product Building · Food Processing & Packaging.
Skills ClinicsFounders' Fireside: Built in the Southeast
An armchair conversation, open floor for questions in the last 20 minutes.
Founders' FiresideNetworking Mixer by the River
Closing out Day 1 with light refreshments and structured table introductions.
Grant & Funding Bazaar
Meet microfinance banks, angel investors and state youth funds at dedicated tables.
Grants & FundingJob & Modern Apprenticeship Fair
Live vacancies alongside a reimagined igba-boi placement desk.
Jobs & ApprenticeshipCivic Leadership Lab: Organizing Your Ward
A working session that ends with each attendee leaving with a one-page action plan.
Civic LeadershipPitch Finals: 10 Founders, 10 Minutes
Ten shortlisted young founders pitch live for a share of the grant pool.
Closing Keynote & Awards
Recognizing standout delegates, facilitators and partner organizations.
Group Photo & Send-Off
A wide shot for the record books, then safe travels home.
Speakers & Facilitators
People who've already crossed.
A sample of confirmed and invited voices — tap a card on mobile, hover on desktop.
Ngozi Adiele
Founder, MarketLink AfricaBuilds payment tools for market traders moving from cash ledgers to digital bookkeeping.
Chidi Obiano
Program Lead, Southeast Innovation HubRuns cohort-based product training for early-career developers across Anambra and Delta States.
Amaka Nwafor
Youth Development Advocate, Anambra Civic NetworkWorks with ward-level youth councils on turning civic energy into local policy input.
Emeka Umeh
Master Trader & Apprenticeship MentorThree decades in Onitsha Main Market, now mentoring the next generation of igba-boi apprentices.
Ifeoma Chukwu
Product Designer & Tech EducatorTeaches no-code product design to first-time builders with zero design background.
Tobenna Eze
Agripreneur, GreenBridge FarmsScaled a smallholder produce network into a distribution business serving three states.
Partnership Tracks
Bring your organization onto the bridge.
Four ways to back the summit — pick the lane that fits your goals.
Headline Partner
Top billing across all materials, opening-ceremony speaking slot, and premium booth placement.
Skills Partner
Co-design and brand one of the six skills clinics with your own facilitators.
Grants Partner
Fund a slice of the grant pool and meet shortlisted founders directly at the bazaar.
Media Partner
Co-produce coverage and get first access to delegate stories and outcomes data.
Seats are free but they don't sit empty for long.
Register with us in under a minute — pick a track, tell us who you are, done.
FAQ
Good to know before you register.
One Weekend. Two Days. One Crossing.
Your side of the bridge is waiting.
Nov 14–15, 2026 · Onitsha, Anambra State