About this opportunity
Applications are open for the MTN Africa PachiPanda Challenge 2026 , an innovation competition designed to support young Africans and youth-led businesses developing practical solutions to environmental and sustainability challenges. The initiative is a partnership between MTN and WWF , with country-level partners supporting the challenge.
It aims to build a pipeline of African green enterprises using innovation and digital solutions to address environmental problems. What the Challenge Offers For participants in Nigeria , the competition offers: ₦5 million for the first-place winner ₦3 million for second place ₦2 million for third place Mentorship and business development support Opportunities to strengthen and showcase innovative solutions Exposure to investors, industry stakeholders and other innovators The Nigerian winners will represent the country at the Africa PachiPanda Finale in South Africa .
Beyond the national prizes, the broader Africa PachiPanda Challenge is designed to help promising youth-led ventures develop and scale their environmental solutions.
Eligibility
For the Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge , applicants must: Be 18–35 years old Reside in Nigeria Apply individually or as a team of up to three members Be an entrepreneur, innovator or youth-led SME Have an early-stage or idea-stage solution addressing an environmental challenge. Both individuals and teams can apply.
Employees of MTN Nigeria, the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), UNDP Nigeria and Deloitte Nigeria, as well as their immediate family members, are not eligible. What Problem Should You Solve?
For the 2026 Nigeria challenge, applicants are being asked: How can you innovatively transform waste management in Nigeria to reduce pollution, address health and environmental hazards, and build sustainability? Solutions can target business or industrial sectors and can include: Technology-based solutions Behavioural solutions Artistic approaches Waste-management innovations Other practical approaches to reducing pollution and improving sustainability.
What Should You Submit? Applicants will need to explain their proposed solution, including: A brief description of the idea or solution — maximum 200 words Why the solution is outstanding — maximum 200 words Its potential impact at community, national and international levels — maximum 200 words A detailed description of the solution, including evidence or proof of concept — maximum 2,000 words .
Application Timeline For Nigeria, the 2026 challenge timeline is: Applications opened: July 29, 2026 Applications close: August 28, 2026 Top 100 announced: September 18, 2026 Top 25 announced: October 2, 2026 Top 10 announced: October 9, 2026 Bootcamp & Pitch Day: October 20–23, 2026 Winners announced: October 23, 2026.
Application timeline
August 28, 2026.
Why You Should Apply
If you’re a young Nigerian innovator working on waste management, recycling, pollution reduction or another sustainability solution , this is an opportunity to move your idea beyond the concept stage. The challenge combines prize funding, mentorship, business support and continental exposure , giving promising innovators an opportunity to develop solutions that can have measurable environmental and social impact.
Application steps
Interested applicants can review the requirements and submit their application through the official MTN PachiPanda Challenge platform: Apply for the MTN Africa PachiPanda Challenge 2026
Sources and verification
Important disclaimer
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