Deadline: 10-Oct-2025
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge 2025 invites young Zambians to develop innovative solutions addressing pressing environmental challenges and advancing sustainability across the country.
The focus areas, objectives, priorities, and themes of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge are Climate-resilient agriculture, Smart water management, Waste management and recycling, and Drought and energy challenges.
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge, a partnership between MTN Zambia and WWF Zambia, is designed to inspire and support youth-led SMEs, entrepreneurs, individuals, and organizations in creating sustainable solutions. Since its inception in 2022, the programme has grown into a key initiative promoting green entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability, aligning with WWF’s global goals and Africa Strategy, particularly the Mobilising More for Climate (MM4C) Programme.
This challenge empowers young people aged 18 to 35 to participate individually or in teams of up to three members. Preference is given to solutions that already have a proof of concept or are in pilot phases. Participants will have access to a two-week intensive training programme focused on business modelling, customer identification, and value proposition development.
The challenge offers attractive incentives, including seed funding for top winners, mentorship, training, pan-African exposure, startup support, and networking opportunities with investors and stakeholders. The overarching theme, Nourishing Tomorrow: Innovations for Food, Energy, and Water Security, encourages participants to focus on practical, tech-driven solutions.
Participants are invited to tackle four challenge statements: Innovate for Climate Change! which focuses on green solutions combating climate impacts, Energise Zambia! targeting renewable energy and water management, Grow Smart, Eat Smart! promoting sustainable agricultural innovations, and Recycle Revolution! encouraging circular economy and waste management solutions.
Winners receive seed funding of $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second, and $2,000 for third, alongside ongoing mentorship and continental recognition.
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge demonstrates the potential of youth-led initiatives to drive positive environmental change and encourages young innovators to develop sustainable solutions that benefit communities across Zambia.
For more information, visit MTN.
