Three Nigerian startups have emerged as winners in the TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge 2024, each receiving ₦8 million.
The TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge 2024 selected 100 winners from across 32 African countries and these Nigerian startups stood out for their innovative solutions addressing societal challenges through creativity and sustainability.
The Nigerian startups recognized in this year’s competition—Waste2light, Coconto, and Farmci—were celebrated for their drive to promote sustainability and solve local challenges.
Waste2light, with its ingenious approach to generating electricity from wind and hydro sources, converts plastic waste into components for 3D-printed turbines.
This solution addresses both energy generation and environmental issues, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional energy sources.
Waste2light’s focus on renewable energy through the repurposing of plastic waste aligns with sustainability goals of reducing pollution and providing affordable energy solutions.
Coconto is another innovative venture, focusing on the coconut value chain. This startup transforms coconut waste into reusable materials, promoting a greener economy.
Tapping into the circular economy model, Coconto is helping to minimise waste while fostering sustainable economic development through recycling.
This initiative reveals the untapped potential of agricultural by-products and also supports the global push for a zero-waste economy.
Farmci addresses one of the most pressing issues faced by Nigerian farmers – food preservation. By introducing Interkool, a portable solar-powered device, Farmci offers a sustainable solution for preserving and transporting perishable farm produce.
This technology is particularly essential for rural farmers who lack access to modern storage facilities, ensuring their produce remains fresh and marketable for longer periods, ultimately reducing post-harvest losses.
The TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge, aimed at supporting young African entrepreneurs, evaluated projects in three key categories. Emmanuel Abah, representing Waste2light, was awarded the top prize in the Power Up category for promoting sustainable and affordable energy solutions.
His work showed the importance of innovative energy projects in a country where access to electricity remains a big challenge.
Jacob Abiodun, the founder of Coconto, won in the Cycle Up category, which focuses on the circular economy. His project stressed the prospects of waste materials in contributing to economic growth and environmental preservation, a growing trend in both global and local markets.
In the Start Up category, Chukwudi Eze, representing Farmci, impressed judges with his agricultural innovation aimed at reducing food waste and improving farmers’ livelihoods. His solar-powered solution addresses a huge issue in Nigeria’s agricultural sector, where inadequate storage leads to heartbreaking losses.
The TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge 2024 showed the world the potential of Nigerian startups to contribute to sustainable development through innovative solutions.
These startups revealed how creative thinking and entrepreneurship can drive progress in key areas such as energy, waste management, and agriculture, working towards a sustainable future in Nigeria.
