MTN, in partnership with World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and strategic collaborators, has officially announced the winners of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge 2025. The initiative concludes a continent-wide search for scalable youth-led environmental enterprises helping drive Africa’s emerging green economy.
The finale took place at the MTN Innovation Centre in Johannesburg, marking the culmination of a competitive process that attracted 2,484 youth-led SMEs across multiple African markets.
Youth Innovation Driving Environmental Solutions
Guided by the theme “Nourishing Tomorrow: Innovation for Food, Energy and Water Security,” the challenge highlighted commercially viable environmental solutions advancing inclusive, low-carbon economic growth.
Top honours went to:
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Arnaud Njita from Cameroon — first place for the nTron STEM Kit, which converts plastic waste into 3D-printing filament for education.
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Ndaman Joshua Olayinka from Nigeria — second place for BuyScrap, a tech-enabled e-waste recycling platform.
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Bill Agha of Cameroon — third place for AgriCheck, a climate-smart digital agriculture solution.
These ventures reflect growing youth leadership in circular economy innovation and climate resilience across Africa.
Leadership Perspective on Africa’s Climate Economy
According to Nompilo Morafo, MTN Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, African youth are actively shaping climate solutions rather than simply responding to environmental challenges. The initiative aims to support innovations that scale impact while unlocking economic opportunities for long-term community resilience.
Africa’s climate economy presents significant opportunity, particularly in agriculture, renewable energy and water security — sectors vital for employment but still constrained by environmental pressures and underinvestment.
Beyond Competition: Building Investment-Ready Enterprises
The programme provides more than recognition. Entrepreneurs receive funding, mentorship and governance support to build investment-ready enterprises capable of delivering measurable environmental and economic benefits.
Alain Ononino, WWF Cameroon Country Director, emphasized that African innovators are generating locally grounded solutions that combine economic value with tangible environmental impact.
Expert Judging and Industry Support
A panel including Jane Mammatt from Deloitte assessed finalists spanning clean energy, food systems, circular economy innovations and waste-to-value solutions. Judges highlighted the growing strength of Africa’s climate-tech pipeline and the importance of strengthening governance, business models and investment readiness.
Special Awards Recognise Circular Innovation
Additional awards included:
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Flame Innovation Zambia, led by Agatha Mumba Mwansa, which received both the Thematic Excellence Award and Ubuntu Award for converting waste into clean-energy alternatives.
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The EcoDrop Project from Uganda — founded by Kanyesige Pascal, Kigozi Martin Koyamu and Nyesiga Promise — won the Baobab Growth Award for its incentive-based plastic recycling model rewarding communities with cash, data or airtime.
What Comes Next for Winners
Winners will receive MTN funding alongside structured mentoring from Deloitte to enhance governance, business strategy and investor readiness. The programme concludes with an executive immersion hosted by Wits Business School, offering leadership insights and exposure to innovation ecosystems that support scaling.
A Step Toward a Resilient, Low-Carbon Africa
By enabling youth-driven climate innovation, MTN, WWF and their partners are helping address environmental risk while strengthening local economic ecosystems. The initiative reinforces Africa’s shift toward a more resilient, inclusive and low-carbon future led increasingly by its own entrepreneurs.
