As Nigeria grapples with rising youth unemployment and growing waste management issues, a young Nigerian entrepreneur is drawing national attention for her innovation in sustainable living. Olabisi Rafatu Emmanuel, a 34-year-old eco-entrepreneur, has emerged as the runner-up in the 2024 Africa PatchiPanda Challenge, a continent-wide competition organised by MTN to spotlight promising green technology solutions.
Emmanuel was honoured for her development of reusable menstrual products aimed at reducing plastic waste, particularly in cities like Lagos where plastic consumption exceeds 2,000 tonnes daily. Her solution, which transforms waste into functional, reusable items, stood out among numerous entries from across Nigeria, South Africa, Cameroon, and Zambia.
The top prize went to Cameroon’s Moses Afopezi, who created AgricFresh—a smart platform designed to reduce post-harvest losses through efficient storage and logistics for farmers across Africa
MTN Nigeria’s Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer said the initiative reflects a deeper mission beyond financial rewards. He noted that empowering young Africans with tools and platforms to drive sustainable change is key to addressing long-term environmental and socio-economic challenges.
Echoing this, MTN Group’s Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer stressed that the challenge represents more than innovation. It’s a call for inclusive development and meaningful transformation in all MTN markets.
This year’s challenge concluded alongside Earth Day 2025 commemorations, amid growing public discussions over Nigeria’s plastic ban policy. With youth unemployment exceeding 50 percent and a national push toward a circular economy gaining momentum, the initiative highlights how local innovation can offer scalable solutions to national crises.
The Africa PatchiPanda Challenge is expected to return in 2025 with an expanded focus—reaching more countries, bringing in new partners, and unearthing even more bold eco-solutions from young Africans determined to build a cleaner, more sustainable future.
