Digital Connectivity Meets Green Innovation in MTN’s PachiPanda Initiative
The programme positions young Africans as key actors in climate action at a time when the continent’s youth — despite being the world’s youngest population — remain highly vulnerable to climate shocks, unemployment, and inequality.
Across Africa, youth-driven environmental innovation is taking centre stage as the 2025 Africa PachiPanda Challenge spotlights solutions tackling food, energy, and water security. Guided by the 2025 theme, “Nourishing Tomorrow: Innovations for Food, Energy, and Water Security,” the initiative highlights how locally rooted ideas can drive continent-wide transformation while advancing inclusive, low-carbon growth.
The programme positions young Africans as key actors in climate action at a time when the continent’s youth — despite being the world’s youngest population — remain highly vulnerable to climate shocks, unemployment, and inequality. By supporting eco-entrepreneurs aged 18–35 with mentorship, tools, and networks, the Challenge seeks to scale climate-smart enterprises while strengthening Africa’s green economy. MTN, working alongside World Wide Fund (WWF) and other partners, backs the initiative as part of its sustainability and digital inclusion agenda, emphasising that those most affected by climate change should be central to designing solutions.
The Challenge has expanded its regional footprint, growing from Zambia, South Africa, Nigeria, and Cameroon in 2024 to include Uganda in 2025. Applications have risen by approximately 35–40%, while participation in structured training, mentorship, and pitch preparation has nearly doubled to over 150 eco-entrepreneurs across participating markets.
National champions from each country illustrate the diversity of climate innovation emerging across the continent. In Nigeria, OneGrid Energies is turning plastic waste and used lithium-ion batteries into affordable lanterns, supported by solar-powered charging hubs operated by rural women. South Africa’s CarbonSmart Solutions Africa, founded by Wendile Mpofu, enables smallholder farmers to improve soil health and earn verified carbon credits through biochar use and IoT-enabled monitoring. Uganda’s FarmGate Digital, led by Ruth Kyobutungi, enhances food security by providing real-time farm-gate pricing and predictive insights to reduce losses and improve market access. Zambia’s McKingtorch Zambia, founded by Racheal Tembo, converts plastic waste into durable consumer products, creating green jobs for youth and women. In Cameroon, nTron STEM Kit transforms plastic waste into 3D-printing filament used to create STEM learning kits, linking recycling with youth skills development.
Beyond the competition itself, alumni ventures have already generated measurable impact across food security, education, health, and clean energy. Outcomes include preventing more than 120 tonnes of food waste through solar cold-chain systems, expanding digital learning to over 15,000 learners, improving women’s health through affordable menstrual-care solutions, and delivering clean energy and STEM skills through circular e-waste models. Several innovators have also progressed to African Union-linked platforms, unlocking further funding and partnerships.
As part of the 2025 edition, MTN has enhanced post-competition support to help finalists transition from early-stage ideas to market-ready businesses. Finalists will join an immersive Masterclass hosted with Deloitte on 9 February, focusing on governance, scaling, and investor engagement. Winners will receive funding from MTN, alongside structured mentoring from Deloitte, and will also take part in a learning programme hosted by Wits Business School, including engagements at the Wits Planetarium and Origins Centre.
The 2025 Challenge will culminate in continental finals at MTN Group Headquarters in Johannesburg on 10 February 2026, marking a milestone in MTN’s broader push to catalyse Africa’s green economy through youth innovation, partnerships, and digital enablement. Organisers say the journeys of these young innovators demonstrate how entrepreneurship can protect ecosystems, strengthen livelihoods, and build resilience in communities most exposed to climate risks — reinforcing the role of youth as architects of Africa’s sustainable future.
