BTA2023 Across Africa, a rising generation of eco-entrepreneurs is demonstrating that locally grounded innovation can drive continental solutions to some of the world’s most urgent challenges.
Under the 2025 theme, “Nourishing Tomorrow: Innovations for Food, Energy, and Water Security,” the Africa PachiPanda Challenge has once again spotlighted young innovators transforming climate risks into economic and social opportunity.
By centring youth-led solutions in climate action, the Challenge is contributing to the growth of Africa’s green economy, while accelerating inclusive, low-carbon development across key sectors.
Youth at the centre of Africa’s climate response
Africa is the youngest continent globally, yet its youth are among those most exposed to climate shocks, unemployment and inequality. At the same time, they are uniquely positioned to respond — embedded in their communities, closest to environmental realities, and deeply invested in sustainable futures.
MTN’s continued support for the PachiPanda Challenge reflects the belief that youth empowerment is both a social imperative and a long-term sustainability strategy. While Africa contributes the least to global greenhouse-gas emissions, it bears a disproportionate share of climate impacts. For MTN and its partners, ensuring that those most affected lead the design of solutions is central to a just green transition.
Scaling climate-smart innovation across Africa
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge is designed to equip eco-innovators aged 18 to 35 with the skills, mentorship and networks required to scale climate-smart enterprises. Implemented in partnership with organisations including World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the initiative supports ideas that deliver measurable environmental and community impact.
The programme’s footprint continues to expand. From operating in Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria and Cameroon in 2024, the continental edition grew to include Uganda in 2025, strengthening cross-border collaboration. Applications rose by an estimated 35–40%, while the number of eco-entrepreneurs supported through structured training and pitch development nearly doubled to over 150 participants.
For MTN, the Challenge illustrates how digital connectivity, strategic partnerships and entrepreneurship can enable scalable green enterprises, strengthen local innovation ecosystems, and generate shared value across markets.
Meet the 2025 national champions
The 2025 OpCo champions reflect how technology, creativity and purpose can converge to address Africa’s environmental challenges.
- In Nigeria, OneGrid Energies is expanding access to clean energy while reducing pollution. By upcycling waste plastic bottles and used lithium-ion batteries into affordable lanterns, the venture addresses household lighting needs through a circular model. Solar-powered charging stations operated by rural women further create community energy hubs and income opportunities.
- In South Africa, CarbonSmart Solutions Africa, founded by Wendile Mpofu, is advancing sustainable agriculture by enabling smallholder farmers to improve soil health while earning verified carbon credits. Using biochar and IoT-enabled digital monitoring, the enterprise ensures transparent measurement of carbon sequestration. Its mobile platform provides farmers with soil data, training and carbon-market insights, opening pathways to global climate finance.
- Uganda’s FarmGate Digital, led by Ruth Kyobutungi, is strengthening food security through data-driven agriculture. By aggregating real-time farm-gate prices and offering predictive analytics, the platform helps farmers decide when to harvest, store and sell produce — reducing losses, improving incomes and promoting efficient food systems.
- In Zambia, McKingtorch Zambia, founded by Racheal Tembo, is tackling plastic pollution by converting waste into durable eco-friendly products, including bags and slippers. The enterprise not only reduces environmental harm but also creates green jobs and skills development opportunities, particularly for women and youth.
- Cameroon’s first-place champion, nTron STEM Kit, links sustainability with education by transforming plastic waste into 3D-printing filament used to produce hands-on STEM learning kits. The innovation diverts waste from the environment while equipping young learners with electronics, robotics and problem-solving skills critical to Africa’s green and digital economy.
Beyond competition: real-world impact
The impact of the PachiPanda Challenge extends far beyond its finale. Alumni ventures have delivered tangible outcomes across sectors — preventing more than 120 tonnes of food waste, expanding digital learning access to over 15,000 underserved learners, improving women’s health through affordable menstrual-care ecosystems, and delivering clean energy and STEM skills through circular e-waste models.
Several innovators have progressed to African Union-linked and international platforms, unlocking additional funding, mentorship and market access to scale their solutions.
Strengthening post-competition support
As part of the 2025 edition, MTN has reinforced its post-competition value proposition to accelerate real-world impact. Finalists will participate in an enhanced Masterclass hosted with Deloitte on 9 February, focused on business readiness, governance, scaling strategies and investor engagement.
Winners will receive growth funding from MTN, alongside structured post-competition mentoring from Deloitte. Immediately following the finale, finalists will also take part in an immersive learning experience hosted by Wits Business School, featuring engagements at the Wits Planetarium, Origins Centre and the Business School itself — blending history, science and leadership development.
Looking ahead to the continental finals
The journey continues as national champions prepare for the Africa PachiPanda Challenge Finals, scheduled for 10 February 2026 at MTN Group Headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa. The event will mark both the culmination of the 2025 Challenge and a milestone in MTN’s broader ambition to catalyse Africa’s green economy through youth-led innovation and digital enablement.
Together, these innovators underscore a powerful truth: Africa’s sustainable future will be built by those bold enough to design it today.
