Speaking at a reception to host the Earthshot delegation in Abuja, the acting British High Commissioner, Gill Lever said that the UK Government has been a long-standing partner in Nigeria on climate and environmental issues and is proud to be part of efforts to support sustainable and transformative projects.

This includes the UK’s work in protecting the endemic gorilla species in Cross River State, as well as the Propcom+ programme which is boosting the climate resilience of farmers and reducing food insecurity.

Also, the United Kingdom Nigeria Infrastructure Advisory Facility (UKNIAF) is driving investment in clean off-grid energy projects for underserved communities.

Acting British High Commissioner, Gill Lever, said:

“The Earthshot Prize, spearheaded by Prince William and the Royal Foundation, stands as a beacon of hope and innovation in our collective quest to address the pressing environmental challenges of our time.

“As we gather here tonight, we reaffirm our commitment to a sustainable future, echoing the Prize’s mission to incentivize change and revitalize our planet.”

Speaking at the reception, Hannah Jones, CEO of The Earthshot Prize, said:

“There are thousands of game changers and entrepreneurs committing their lives to solving our generations’ biggest challenges and the opportunity to drive awareness and support of their work is critical to the mission of The Earthshot Prize.

“We are grateful for the opportunity to come together with our partners and supporters to shine a light on the many solutions across Africa, to pull hundreds of others into focus across the continent, and to inspire a new generation of innovators.”

The event also witnessed a presentation from Reeddi, a 2021 Finalist of the Earthshot Prize providing clean energy at an affordable price to individuals and businesses.

Olugbenga Olubanjo, founder and CEO of Reeddi, said:

“Reeddi is thrilled to have received the credibility and support brought by the Earthshot Prize. This recognition has enabled us to scale our solutions to even more communities and regions where energy access is a significant challenge.

The insights from our partners and investors associated with the Earthshot Prize have been invaluable, allowing us to innovate both our hardware and software. As a result, we are delivering more advanced solutions that make access to electricity seamless for Nigerians and Africans.”

The reception which held in partnership with leading African entertainment company, MultiChoice Group, was also an opportunity to celebrate the individuals and organizations dedicated to environmental stewardship.

In its 2024 edition, the Earthshot Prize, a global environmental prize to discover, accelerate, and scale innovative solutions to repair and regenerate the planet, is awarded annually to five outstanding initiatives across five categories: Protect and Restore Nature, Clean our Air, Revive our Oceans, Build a Waste-Free World, and Fix our Climate. 

Organized in collaboration with partners like Temasek Trust, Temasek, GenZero, Conservation International, and MultiChoice, among others, The Earthshot Prize is your chance to make a real difference.

In the previous year, 108 entries from Africa showcased incredible potential, with two outstanding projects, ABALOBI and Freetown the Treetown, making it to the 2023 finals. These projects were chosen from over 1,300 nominees, emphasizing the competition’s global reach and impact.

Benefits

At the 2024 Earthshot Prize programme, winners will receive the following benefits:

• £1 Million Prize: Each category winner will be awarded £1 million prize, providing financial support to further their initiatives.
• Global Support Network: Beyond monetary rewards, winners gain access to a vast global network of professionals and technical experts. This network spans various fields such as manufacturing, retail, supply chains, legal advice, digital technology, business strategy, and government relations, facilitated by The Earthshot Prize Global Alliance.

Eligibility

Innovators, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and activists actively engaged in building climate change solutions are eligible to participate. 

Past finalists, including Reeddi Capsules from Nigeria, Pole Pole Foundation from the Democratic Republic of Congo, ROAM, Sanergy, and Mukuru Clean Stoves from Kenya, have proven the impact of their initiatives and sent bright signals to future enthusiasts.

How to Apply

If you’re a changemaker dedicated to addressing the climate crisis in Africa and worldwide, seize this opportunity! Apply for The Earthshot Prize before the deadline on Thursday, November 30, 2023