Three innovative Nigerian startups have been awarded a total of N24 million to scale their solutions after winning the TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge 2024. These startups were selected from 100 competitors across 32 African countries.
Each startup received N8 million at the grand finale held in Lagos. The winners are Waste2light, which generates electricity from wind and hydro sources by converting plastic waste into 3D printed components; Coconto, a recycling initiative focused on transforming the coconut value chain for sustainability; and Farmci, which offers Interkool, a portable solar-powered solution for preserving and transporting agricultural products.
Emmanuel Abah of Waste2light was named the best entrepreneur in the “Power Up” category, while Jacob Abiodun of Coconto won the “Cycle Up” award for projects related to the circular economy. Yakubu Temtope of Farmci received the “Innov Up” award.
Support for Local Economy
Dr. Matthieu Bouyer, Country Chair of TotalEnergies Nigeria, highlighted that this fourth edition of the challenge aims to bolster the local economy and foster an entrepreneurial ecosystem that mentors youth. He emphasized that the winners were meticulously chosen by a jury of experts and successful entrepreneurs, and evaluated on their innovation, feasibility, and alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
“TotalEnergies is committed to collaborating with its host communities and supporting various projects in health, education, and environmental conservation,” Bouyer stated. “We aim to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, aiding the socio-economic development of the regions where we operate.”
Growing Interest Among African Entrepreneurs
Mrs. Adesua Adewale, General Manager of TotalEnergies Country Services, noted a growing interest among young African entrepreneurs, with participation increasing in each challenge. In the inaugural edition, 11,000 applications were submitted, while the fourth edition saw 14,000 applications, with approximately 1,500 from Nigeria.
Adewale remarked that these numbers reflect the aspirations of youth to innovate and address real needs responsibly. She also announced that the winners would receive three months of training on utilizing the N8 million to enhance their businesses. The challenge targets startups less than three years old or those pioneering ideas with a positive community or environmental impact.
