MTN Group and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) have made a collaborative effort in organizing the third edition the of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge, which seeks to inspire innovative solutions to pressing environmental issues
The 2024 PachiPanda Challenge, a competition to empower Africa’s young eco-entrepreneurs, is now open for applications. This year, the challenge is expanding beyond Zambia to include participants from South Africa and Nigeria, marking its third year of operation
The PachiPanda Challenge invites young people aged 16 to 35 and youth-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to propose sustainable solutions that can positively impact their communities. By fostering creativity and problem-solving skills, the initiative aims to contribute to the long-term sustainability of these regions.
Having been initially launched in Zambia in 2022, the challenge has seen considerable success, prompting its expansion to other parts of the continent. This year’s competition will be conducted in two phases. In the first phase, applications from the three participating countries will be reviewed and shortlisted. Successful applicants will then be grouped into teams of up to three members and will undergo a five-day sprint week, during which they will engage in a human-centered design process.
MTN and WWF have detailed that this process will include business modeling, consumer identification, and the development of unique value propositions. Following the sprint week, the teams will have the chance to pitch their innovative solutions to a panel of industry experts. The winning teams will receive $5,000 in prizes and will advance to the second stage of the challenge: the Pan-African competition.
The challenge will culminate in a grand finale, where the most promising concepts from each country will compete for recognition and support. Each phase of the competition is designed to address the specific environmental challenges of the region, ensuring that the proposed solutions are both relevant and impactful.
According to the organizers, the PachiPanda Challenge not only provides a platform for young innovators to contribute to their communities but also connects them with a broader network of like-minded individuals, potential investors, and stakeholders. This exposure is expected to amplify the visibility and impact of their projects.
Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer, emphasized the importance of engaging Africa’s youth in environmental issues, noting that “over 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25. By empowering them, we invest not just in their future, but also in the future of our planet. Africa’s youth have the creativity, passion, and resilience to lead the charge against climate change, and the PachiPanda Challenge is our way of equipping them with the tools to do so.”
As the PachiPanda Challenge expands its reach across the continent, it inspires and empowers the next generation of eco-entrepreneurs, driving sustainable change across Africa.
