Accra, Ghana – September 16, 2026 – Marking the International Day of Science, Technology and Innovation for the South, observed under the 2026 theme “Shaping a Brighter Future for the Global South” – JA (Junior Achievement) Africa, in partnership with the ExxonMobil Foundation, announces that the national phases of the 2026 ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa Program are complete. Student teams in Angola, Mozambique, Namibia, and Nigeria have each completed rounds of zonal STEM Quizzes and an intensive national Innovation Camp, and the four national champion teams are now undergoing mentorship with ExxonMobil staff as they prepare to represent their countries at the program’s regional competition, held alongside Africa Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa.
The completion of the national phases caps months of hands-on learning experiences in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and artificial intelligence for young people ages 14 to 17 across the four countries. Each national Innovation Camp challenged student teams to design STEM-based solutions to real community and industry problems, with the strongest teams in each country advancing through zonal rounds to earn their place as national champions.
Each of the four countries is now represented by its national champion team:
- Angola: IXIETU from Instituto Politécnico Industrial de Luanda (IPIL presents an AI-powered soil diagnosis and recovery system designed to help farmers in the Bom Jesus area of Angola improve soil quality and agricultural productivity.
- Mozambique: ECOCARTEIRAS from Escola Comunitaria Nossa Senhora do Livramento T.3 addresses two challenges: Mozambique’s high volume of uncollected plastic waste and a significant shortage of school desks. Ecocar Teiras’ project will transform recycled PP/HDPE plastic and sawdust into durable, affordable Wood Plastic Composite (WPC) school desks.
- Namibia: AQUA VOLT from Hage G Geingob High School developed a water-harvesting and purification system designed to address the cycle of flooding and dry-season water scarcity in northern Namibia. The project focuses on Edundja village in the Ohangwena region, where seasonal flooding is followed by shortages of safe drinking water.
- Nigeria: NEXORA NEXUS INVENTORS from the Department of Mass Education, Kuje, developed the Solar Hydro Smart Grid (SHSG), an innovative renewable energy solution designed to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable electricity to underserved communities in Nigeria. The system integrates solar photovoltaic energy, pumped-hydro storage, battery buffering, and smart sensor controls to create a decentralized power network that can deliver continuous electricity even when sunlight is unavailable.
“Watching four national teams go from their STEM concept to a polished, community-tested solution is exactly why this partnership matters,” said Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO, JA Africa. “These young people are not waiting for the future of work to arrive; they are already building it. As they receive mentorship ahead of Cape Town, we are proud to give them a continental stage to show what African youth-led innovation looks like.”
Ahead of Cape Town, each national team is working directly with ExxonMobil staff mentors to refine its solution, sharpen its pitch, and build the confidence to present before industry judges. This mentorship period reflects a core focus of JA Africa’s work: pairing young people with experienced professionals so that learning experiences translate into durable, real-world skills in work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial capability.
“Completing the in-country phase across four countries is a milestone worth celebrating, but the real value is in what comes next,” said Alvin Abraham, President of the ExxonMobil Foundation. “Pairing these students with ExxonMobil staff as mentors gives them a direct line to the energy sector’s day-to-day challenges, and problem-solving techniques to overcome them. We are looking forward to seeing what they bring to Cape Town.”
The four national champion teams now turn their attention to the regional competition at Africa Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town, where they will join finalists from across the continent to pitch their STEM solutions to a panel of ExxonMobil executives. The regional stage gives young people direct exposure to Africa’s energy and technology sectors, connecting them with professionals shaping the continent’s economic future and giving their ideas a platform on a continental stage.
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Media Contact
Ellen Ukpi
Director, Marketing & Communications
JA Africa
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About JA Africa
JA Africa is one of Africa’s largest youth-serving nonprofits, equipping young people with the skillset and mindset to succeed in a global economy. Through immersive learning experiences in entrepreneurship, work readiness, and capabilities, JA Africa reaches more than 1.6 million young Africans annually, preparing them to build thriving communities and sustainable futures. www.ja-africa.org
About the ExxonMobil Foundation
The ExxonMobil Foundation is the primary philanthropic arm of the ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation in the United States, supporting initiatives that advance education, economic opportunity, and community development in areas where ExxonMobil Holdings Corporation or its affiliates (“ExxonMobil”) operate worldwide. Through strategic community partnerships, the Foundation invests in programs that equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to drive long-term societal progress and innovation.
