Fostering sustainable solutions across Africa
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge, a joint effort by MTN and WWF to inspire and support innovative solutions addressing pressing environmental challenges across the continent.
This program aligns with WWF’s global goals, its Africa Strategy, and its established practices. It also adds significant value to the Mobilising More for Climate (MM4C) Programme. Specifically, the challenge contributes to achieving WWF’s core objectives of zero habitat loss, preventing species extinction, and promoting healthy populations. Furthermore, WWF’s Africa Strategy, titled “Making Nature Count,” aims to ensure that the value of Africa’s natural capital is fully integrated into decision-making by governments, corporations, financial institutions, and society.
The programme spearheads MTN’s commitment to protecting our planet through climate entrepreneurship. By cultivating a pipeline of innovative African green enterprises that tackle local environmental challenges, we are empowering youth-led businesses and investing in a sustainable future for the continent. The programme is aimed at incubating youth-led SMEs that tackle current environmental challenges and promote sustainability.
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge is a collaborative initiative driven by MTN and WWF.
Join the movement
Discover the purpose and origins of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge
Record-breaking temperatures and dwindling resources threaten Africa’s future. Young Africans, are a vulnerable group to climate impacts, they are also powerful change agents. By empowering youth through a just transition, we can unlock socio-economic development and build resilience. This initiative encourages SMEs and youth to create new ideas that tackle current environmental challenges and promote sustainability using digital innovations.
Our origins
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge builds on the success of the PachiPanda Innovation Challenge hosted by MTN Zambia which was delivered through a partnership between MTN Zambia and the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) in 2022 and 2023. This challenge expands and amplifies the competition through a partnership between MTN and the World Wildlife Fund.
Innovate for the future
Driving change
through innovation
Empowering the
leaders of tomorrow
Partnership for
greater impact
Rewarding and scaling
innovation
Commitment to a
sustainable future
A call to make a
difference
Who should enter?
We are looking for young people (16 – 35 years), youth led SME’s, entrepreneurs, individuals, and organizations that work towards sustainable development in participating countries and employees in these sectors and are looking for ways to make their business sustainable.
How it works
Nigeria
How it works
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc and the World Wide Fund (WWF), through its local partner Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), have partnered to launch the PachiPanda Challenge for Nigeria in 2024. This initiative will encourage youths and youth-led SMEs to create new ideas that tackle current environmental challenges and promote sustainability through technological solutions.
Challenge statements
The PachiPanda Challenge invites young entrepreneurs and SMEs from Nigeria (university and college students) to enter their solutions to the challenge statements on:
1. Plastic Pollution
Plastic pollution is a grave concern in Nigeria, with far-reaching environmental and health implications. The adverse effects on ecosystems and human well-being are undeniable. Recycling presents a viable solution to prevent plastic from polluting landfills and waterways. However, despite the clear advantages of recycling, not enough action is being taken. There is a noticeable absence of user-friendly and technology-driven solutions to promote plastic recycling.
Innovating and developing technology-based solutions is imperative to streamline recycling processes, enhance public engagement, and provide tangible incentives for effective plastic waste management.
Demonstrate how technology can be used to promote the recycling of plastics.
2. Climate Change
Unpredictable weather patterns underscore the escalating impact of climate change, with early rains, extreme temperatures, and floods affecting communities nationwide. Vulnerable groups are particularly at risk, facing increased exposure to climate-related disasters. Urgent action is needed to address these challenges and build resilience in a changing climate.
What innovative technological solution can you propose to improve the adaptation and mitigation of climate change impact on vulnerable communities?
3. Circular Economy
There have been numerous discussions about the potential advantages of environmental sustainability, restoration, and conservation. One feasible approach to achieving this is implementing a circular economy (Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse). This benefits the environment and provides financial incentives to all participants in the value chain.
Given the large population of unemployed youth in Nigeria, implementing a circular economy has the potential to offer profitable and sustainable employment opportunities while solving environmental problems.
How can you leverage technology to establish a circular economy in your community, advancing conservation and sustainability in a clear and measurable way, offering economic gains?
4. Community Development
Nigerian communities face many environmental challenges, including floods, deforestation, coastal erosion, desertification, extreme temperatures, heavy rainfall, and drought.
Provide an innovative solution to an environmental challenge in your community using technology while focusing on the solution’s long-term sustainability.
Rules
Rules and eligibility:
- The Challenge is open to individuals or teams residing in Nigeria.
- Participants should be between 16 and 35.
- You may participate as an individual or form a team of maximum three members.
- Youth-led SMEs with early or idea stage solutions are free to participate, maximum of three members.
- All participants must register online and submit entries through the designated portal before the deadline.
- Participants should provide accurate and complete personal information during registration.
- MTN Nigeria and Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF) employees, and their immediate families are not eligible to participate.
- Participants found in violation of the PachiPanda Challenge “Terms and Conditions” or suspected of fraud, plagiarism, or unethical behaviour, will be disqualified from the Challenge.
- The organising committee reserves the right to disqualify any individual or team at its discretion.
Local partners
Timelines
The PachiPanda Challenge will run from August – November 2024.
Applications Open ……… 23rd August 2024
Applications Closes ……… 20th September 2024
Top 100 Announcement …….. 11th October 2024
Top 10 Announcement ………. 25th October 2024
Pitch day event ……… 4th – 6th November 2024
Winner Announcements …….. 6th November 2024
Prizes
First (1st) Position - ₦ 3,000,000 - Second (2nd) Position - ₦ 2,000,000
- Third (3rd) Position - ₦ 1,500,000
The top 3 winners will be representing Nigeria at the Grand Finale in South Africa, along with winners from other countries.
Contact us
Sustainability and Shared Value Team
MTN Nigeria Communications Plc
sustainability.ng@mtn.com
Frequently Asked Questions
Background
What is the Africa PachiPanda Challenge? 
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge is a joint initiative by MTN and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) aimed at inspiring and supporting the development of innovative solutions to address pressing environmental challenges across the African continent.
Who are the organisers of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge?
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge is organised by MTN and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF).
What is the history of the partnership between MTN and WWF?
MTN and WWF have a history of collaboration on initiatives aimed at addressing environmental challenges. For instance, in Zambia, they successfully concluded the PachiPanda Innovation Challenge, which inspired the creation of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge. The partnership between MTN and WWF is a testament to their shared commitment to fostering innovation and driving environmental sustainability.
What was the PachiPanda Innovation Challenge?
The PachiPanda Innovation Challenge was a joint initiative by WWF Zambia and MTN Zambia Foundation that aimed to encourage and support innovative solutions addressing pressing environmental challenges in Zambia. The success of this initiative led to the creation of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge.
Why was the Africa PachiPanda Challenge created?
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge was created to expand the scope of the successful PachiPanda Innovation Challenge to include innovators from African countries. This reflects MTN and WWF’s commitment to fostering innovation and driving environmental sustainability on a larger scale.
What is the goal of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge?
The goal of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge is to inspire young people and youth-led SMEs to develop innovative solutions that address immediate environmental challenges and contribute to the long-term sustainability of their communities.
General information
Who can participate in the Africa PachiPanda Challenge?
The challenge is open to young people aged between 16 and 35, as well as youth-led SMEs from select African countries.
What is the timeline for the Africa PachiPanda Challenge?
The challenge is scheduled to run in 2024.
What is the process of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge?
The challenge will take place in two phases. During phase one, applications in each country will be shortlisted. Following this, selected participants will form teams of up to three members and undergo a human-centred design process during a 5-day sprint week. This process will involve business modelling, customer identification, and developing unique value propositions. The teams will then have the opportunity to pitch their solutions to a selected panel of industry experts, with the winning teams walking away with prizes valued at 5000 USD and advancing to stage 2 – the Pan-African contest, where they compete in the final.
What are the benefits of participating in the Africa PachiPanda Challenge?
The challenge provides a platform for young innovators to contribute to their communities and the wider continent, creating solutions that address environmental and social issues. It also offers the opportunity to connect with a wide network of like-minded individuals, potential investors, and stakeholders, amplifying the visibility and impact of their projects.
How can I apply for the Africa PachiPanda Challenge?
Interested participants can find more information about how to apply at www.mtn.com
What is the prize for the winning team?
The winning teams (first prize) from each country will receive prizes valued at 5000 USD. They will also advance to the Africa PachiPanda contest where they compete in the final.
What happens after the Africa PachiPanda Challenge?
The winning solutions from the challenge will be implemented to address the pressing environmental challenges in the respective countries. This will contribute to the long-term sustainability of these communities and the African continent as a whole.
Who are the judges for the Africa PachiPanda Challenge?
The panel of judges for the challenge will consist of industry experts from various fields. The exact names and profiles of the judges will be announced closer to the date of the challenge.
Terms and conditions
By clicking “Read Now,” you agree to review and understand MTN’s PachiPanda’s Terms and Conditions. These terms govern your use of our services and products.