Three innovative Nigerian startups have been awarded a total of N24 million to expand their impactful solutions after being declared the winners of the TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge 2024. These startups stood out among the 100 to be chosen from 32 African countries participating in this year’s competition.
At the grand finale event in Lagos, each startup received N8 million to further develop their projects.
The winning startups are:
- Waste2light, led by Emmanuel Abah, which produces electricity from renewable sources by converting plastic waste into components for 3D printed wind and hydro systems. Abah was recognized as the top entrepreneur in the “Power Up” category.
- Coconto, founded by Jacob Abiodun, is a recycling venture that aims to revolutionize the coconut value chain for a more sustainable future. Abiodun won the “Cycle Up” category for the best circular economy project.
- Farmci, with Yakubu Temtope at the helm, offers Interkool, a portable solar-powered solution for preserving and transporting agricultural produce. Temtope was honored as the best entrepreneur in the “Innov Up” category.
Dr. Matthieu Bouyer, Country Chair of TotalEnergies Nigeria, emphasized that the Startupper Challenge’s fourth edition is dedicated to nurturing the local economy and fostering an entrepreneurial ecosystem where the youth receive visible mentorship.
The winners were meticulously chosen by a jury of experts and successful entrepreneurs based on innovation, feasibility, and potential for development in alignment with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
TotalEnergies reaffirms its commitment to community engagement, pledging ongoing support for projects in health, education, and environmental conservation. The company aims to encourage innovation and entrepreneurship and contribute to the socio-economic growth of the countries where it operates by backing the most creative young entrepreneurs in their endeavors.
Mrs. Adesua Adewale, General Manager of TotalEnergies Country Services, remarked on the growing enthusiasm among young African entrepreneurs, as evidenced by the increasing number of applications with each edition of the challenge. From 11,000 complete applications in the first edition to 14,000 in the fourth, with about 1,500 coming from Nigeria, the trend reflects the youth’s eagerness to initiate and innovate responsibly.
The winners will undergo a three-month training program on how to effectively utilize the N8 million to scale their businesses. The Startupper Challenge targets startups less than three years old or those with pioneering ideas that positively impact their communities or the planet.
