MTN Nigeria Communications Plc, in partnership with the Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) through the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, has shortlisted 100 young Nigerian innovators for the second phase of the Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge. The initiative focuses on home-grown solutions to the country’s most pressing environmental issues, including climate change, pollution, community conservation, and environmental sustainability.
The top 100 innovators were selected from over 2,169 applications received nationwide. The multi-stage screening and evaluation process was conducted by 20 expert assessors and guided by a robust set of criteria to ensure fairness, equity, and consistency in assessing all entries. The framework provided a comparative basis for scoring, helping the assessors objectively identify the most promising submissions.
The selection of the nation’s brightest minds underscores MTN’s commitment to empowering change-makers dedicated to environmental resilience. Launched in Nigeria in 2024 to accelerate digital transformation, PachiPanda offers participants world-class mentorship, specialised technical workshops, seed funding, and direct access to a broad network of mentors and industry experts. The selected cohort spans high-impact sectors, with solutions aimed at addressing environmental challenges both in Nigeria and across the continent.
Following the announcement of the Top 100 shortlist, a detailed evaluation of the entries will determine the final Top 10 finalists. The finalists will be unveiled ahead of a 3-day sprint pitch event and masterclass scheduled to take place in Lagos in November 2025. During the event week, finalists will participate in masterclass sessions designed to sharpen their business acumen, enhance presentation skills, and refine their solutions for greater impact on the continental stage.
The winners of the Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge will progress to the Africa PachiPanda Contest, competing against other national champions from across the continent.
The Nigeria PachiPanda programme is part of MTN Nigeria’s commitment to protecting the planet through eco-entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability. By cultivating a pipeline of innovative African green enterprises, the initiative empowers youths and youth-led SMEs to develop solutions that tackle local environmental challenges and advance sustainability across the continent.
For more on how MTN is Doing for tomorrow, today, visit https://www.mtn.ng/sustainability/, follow MTN Nigeria’s social media channels, or contact the Sustainability and Shared Value Team at sustainability.ng@mtn.com.