Empowering Africa’s young eco-preneurs: The PachiPanda Challenge

How can we turn the tide against the devastating impacts of climate change in Africa? How can we empower those most vulnerable to its effects to become the architects of a sustainable future? The answer lies in the potential of our continent’s youth.

In the face of the escalating climate crisis, it’s crucial to nurture and empower this potential.

At MTN, we believe that investing in the ingenuity and passion of Africa’s youth is not just a moral imperative but a strategic one. They are the generation that will inherit the consequences of our actions today, and they are the ones who hold the keys to a sustainable tomorrow. This is at the heart of the PachiPanda Challenge, an initiative with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) that seeks to ignite a wave of youth-led environmental innovation across Africa.

“Over 60% of Africa’s population is under the age of 25. By empowering them, we are not just investing in their future, but 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,” said Nompilo Morafo, MTN Group Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer.

By encouraging young people to come up with ideas to address unsustainable environmental practices, the PachiPanda Challenge empowers them with the tools, resources and mentorship they need to turn their innovations into reality. By focusing on green skills and sustainable tech solutions, the challenge highlights the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge and expertise needed to tackle the complex environmental challenges of our time.

The inaugural challenge in Zambia in 2022 and 2023 showcased promising solutions, including Isaac Mwanza’s EcoBuild, a startup that produces sustainable construction materials from copper waste. This addresses waste while providing a more affordable and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional building materials. Other finalists presented equally compelling ventures, including community recycling programmes and inventive ways to generate renewable energy from waste.

Building on this success in Zambia, MTN and the WWF are expanding the PachiPanda Challenge across the continent, adding South Africa and Nigeria to the programme. The challenge will culminate in a grand finale where the most promising ideas from each country will compete for recognition and support. Each stage of the challenge will be tailored to address the specific environmental concerns of each region, ensuring that the solutions developed are contextually relevant.

The structure of the PachiPanda Challenge is designed to nurture and support young entrepreneurs throughout their journey. It starts with an annual competition that seeks out innovative, tech-enabled solutions and businesses focused on Africa’s climate challenges.

This is followed by a support programme that includes idea-generation workshops, training sessions, mentorship and business case development. Finally, a multi-stage selection process will ensure that the most promising ventures receive the recognition and support they need to scale their impact.

The PachiPanda Challenge is a testament to our commitment to empowering young people and fostering a sustainable future for Africa. By investing in our youth, we are investing in the future of our planet. Let us celebrate the power of young people to drive change and create a world that is both prosperous and sustainable and that leverages technology to address conservation challenges.

Stay tuned for updates from our participating OPCO and find out more at our website https://www.mtn.com/pachipanda-challenge/