Genesis
Markets to watch
Signals from trusted sources about where new work and ideas may grow. These are signals, not predictions. Check the sources and make your own judgement.
Last updated: September 2026
Near you: Nigeria
Solar installation and upkeep
With unreliable grid power and costly generator fuel, homes and shops across Nigeria are switching to solar, and they need people to install, repair and finance it.
Signals to watch
- Nigeria imported 1,721 MW of solar panels in the 12 months to June 2025, second only to South Africa in Africa.
- Ember's analysis suggests a panel can pay for itself in under six months by replacing diesel.
- Pay-as-you-go, leasing and solar-as-a-service models are spreading.
What could go wrong
- Exchange-rate swings have pushed system prices up sharply, putting solar out of reach for some households.
- Fake or low-quality equipment and poor installation are common complaints.
Skills it needs
ElectriciansSolar techniciansBattery repairSales agentsPayment-plan and finance
Sources
Start an idea from this →Converting vehicles to gas (CNG)
A national programme is pushing cars, buses, tricycles and trucks to run on compressed natural gas, which needs conversion workshops, gas stations and trained technicians.
Signals to watch
- Officials report over 100,000 CNG vehicles on Nigerian roads, up from about 11,000 in 2023.
- Conversion centres have grown from 7 to more than 300, with the programme targeting one million CNG vehicles by 2027.
What could go wrong
- Refuelling stations are still limited in many states.
- Conversion must be done by certified technicians; unsafe work is dangerous.
- The market depends heavily on government policy and targets that may slip.
- Private conversion costs are high for many car owners.
Skills it needs
MechanicsWeldersDrivers and fleet ownersStation operatorsSafety inspectors
Sources
Start an idea from this →Keeping food fresh (cold storage)
A large share of tomatoes, vegetables, fruit, fish and meat spoils before it reaches buyers. Cold rooms, cooled transport and processing can save food and raise farmers' income.
Signals to watch
- A cold-chain industry body estimated ₦3.5–5 trillion in post-harvest losses in Nigeria in 2025.
- Solar-powered cold rooms with pay-as-you-store pricing are already operating, and one provider reports users earning more by selling when prices are better.
What could go wrong
- Cold rooms and refrigerated trucks cost a lot up front.
- Power, maintenance and farmers' cash flow are ongoing challenges.
Skills it needs
FarmersMarket tradersRefrigeration techniciansDriversFood processors
Sources
Start an idea from this →Global
Solar power and batteries
Solar has become the fastest-growing source of new electricity worldwide, and more homes and businesses are pairing panels with batteries.
Signals to watch
- Solar capacity added worldwide passed 600 GW in 2025, making solar the power technology with the most installed capacity.
- Around 30 countries each installed over 1 GW of solar in a single year, roughly double the number in 2020.
What could go wrong
- Prices swing with supply chains and trade policy.
- Badly installed systems fail early and damage trust.
- Grids in many places struggle to absorb large amounts of solar.
Skills it needs
ElectriciansInstallersBattery techniciansSales agentsFinance and payment plans
Sources
Start an idea from this →Care and services for older people
People are living longer everywhere, and most of the growth in older populations is happening in low- and middle-income countries.
Signals to watch
- By 2030, about one in six people in the world will be 60 or older.
- The number of people aged 80 and over is expected to roughly triple between 2020 and 2050.
- By 2050, around two-thirds of people over 60 will live in low- and middle-income countries.
What could go wrong
- Trust and safety matter enormously; carers need training and checks.
- Many families can't afford paid care, so pricing is hard.
Skills it needs
CarersNursesPhysiotherapistsDriversBuilders for home adaptationsCooks
Sources
Start an idea from this →Helping small businesses use AI
AI tools can write, translate, answer customers and keep records, but many small businesses don't yet know how to use them well.
Signals to watch
- An OECD survey of over 5,000 small and medium businesses in seven countries found about 31% using generative AI.
- Across OECD countries, large firms use AI at more than three times the rate of small firms, a gap someone needs to close.
What could go wrong
- Tools change fast and some services become free overnight.
- Mistakes, privacy and copyright problems can hurt customers.
Skills it needs
TrainersMarketersTranslatorsDevelopersPatient teachers
Sources
Start an idea from this →Don't see your country yet? More regions are coming.