Cape Town, South Africa – Junior Achievement (JA) Africa, in partnership with the ExxonMobil Foundation, proudly hosted the second ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa Regional Finals, bringing together Africa’s brightest young innovators to showcase transformative STEM-driven solutions.
This year’s Regional Finals spotlighted 16 outstanding students from Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, and Nigeria, who emerged from a competitive pool of over 3,000 participants across the Program. Their projects addressed critical challenges, including access to energy, potable water, and food supply. The students’ demonstration of technological innovation to these challenges reaffirmed the opportunities for future African STEM leaders.
The finalists impressed a panel of esteemed judges with groundbreaking projects designed to create lasting impact. Among the solutions presented were:
Liceu 22 De Novembro, Angola – The team aims to contribute to the reduction of coastal and marine pollution through the implementation of an electromechanical prototype for the collection of solid waste in drainage ditches, powered by a solar energy source with the option of conventional energy.
JEAA EnvironFriends, Mozambique – JEAA EnvironFriends introduces an integrated community solution for peri-urban and rural settings that combines renewable energy generation, safe drinking water systems, and improved public sanitation facilities.
Scholar Sprouts, Namibia – Scholar Sprouts addresses food insecurity through a redesigned, user-friendly aquaponics system. At its heart is a miniaturized biofilter that transforms ammonia from fish wastewater into nitrates, nourishing crops while minimizing scale and maintenance requirements.
UltraClean, Nigeria – UltraClean is presenting an affordable and eco-friendly water purification system that combines natural filtration with UV technology. Using locally available materials like sand, sawdust, and activated charcoal, the system remains both sustainable and environmentally friendly.
“The ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa Regional Finals highlight the boundless potential of African youth to create meaningful solutions to the continent’s challenges. Over the course of the program, the students have shown resilience, creativity, and purpose, which is truly inspiring and further validates our vision to equip young Africans with the skillset and mindset to bring about change in their communities,” said Simi Nwogugu, President & CEO of JA Africa.
The competition culminated in an Awards Gala that celebrated innovative African youth talent. Scholar Sprouts, Namibia, claimed the top prize for their user-friendly aquaponics system, followed by UltraClean, Nigeria, Liceu 22 De Novembro, Angola, and JEAA EnvironFriends, Mozambique. These projects represent practical and scalable solutions that promise to make an impact in African communities.
“We are incredibly proud of the creativity, dedication, and problem solving these young innovators have demonstrated. Their ideas are not only impressive but transformative for the communities they represent,” said Alvin Abraham, ExxonMobil Foundation president. “This platform reflects our commitment to cultivating Africa’s next generation of STEM leaders and empowering them to address tough challenges.”
JA Africa extends heartfelt thanks to the ExxonMobil Foundation for its enduring partnership in empowering young Africans through STEM education, and to the volunteers and mentors whose dedication made the initiative a success.
About JA Africa
Junior Achievement (JA) Africa, headquartered in Accra, Ghana, is one of Africa’s largest and most impactful youth-serving NGOs. JA Africa’s mission is to prepare Africa’s youth for the future of jobs. Through the delivery of hands-on, immersive learning in work readiness, financial health, entrepreneurship, sustainability, STEM, economics, citizenship, ethics, and more, JA Africa empowers young people to grow entrepreneurial ideas, hone work skills, manage earnings, and secure better lives for themselves, their families, and their communities. JA Africa operates in 23 countries across sub-Saharan Africa and reaches over one million youth annually. Learn more at www.ja-africa.org.
Media Contact:
Ellen Ukpi
Director, Marketing and Communications
ellen.ukpi@ja-africa.org
