The Africa PachiPanda Challenge, a joint effort by MTN and WWF to inspire and support innovative solutions addressing pressing environmental challenges across the continent.



This programme aligns with WWF’s global goals, its Africa Strategy, and its established practices. It also adds significant value to the Mobilising More for Climate (MM4C) Programme. Specifically, the challenge contributes to achieving WWF’s core objectives of zero habitat loss, preventing species extinction, and promoting healthy populations.

ELIGIBILITY:

The challenge is open to young people between 18 and 35 and youth-led SMEs from select African countries.

The PachiPanda Challenge invites youths (18 – 35 years), students (university and college students), young entrepreneurs, youth-led SMEs, entrepreneurs, and individuals from Nigeria to enter their innovative ideas or solutions to the challenge statements on:

1.0 Climate Change [Solutions focusing on the reduction of greenhouse gases]

Human activities emit greenhouse gases—mainly carbon dioxide and methane, which are the major drivers of climate change. The effects of climate change include, among others, severe drought, water scarcity, rising sea levels, flooding and biodiversity loss.

The challenge will take place in two phases. During phase one, applications in each country will be shortlisted. Following this, selected participants will form teams of up to three members and undergo a human-centered design process during a sprint week. This process will involve business modelling, customer identification, and developing unique value propositions. The teams will then have the opportunity to pitch their solutions to a selected panel of industry experts, with the winning teams walking away with prizes valued at 5000 USD and advancing to stage 2—the Pan-African contest, where they compete in the final.

Rules and eligibility for Applicants from Nigeria:

The challenge is open to individuals or teams residing in Nigeria.

Participants should be between 18 and 35.

You may participate as an individual or form a team of a maximum of three members.

Young entrepreneurs or youth-led SMEs with early or idea stage solutions are free to participate, with a maximum of three members.

All participants must register online and submit entries through the designated portal before the deadline.

Participants should provide accurate and complete personal information during registration.

MTN Nigeria, Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria and Deloitte Nigeria employees, and their immediate families are not eligible to participate.

Participants found in violation of the Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge terms and conditions  or suspected of fraud, plagiarism, or unethical behaviour, will be disqualified from the Challenge.

The organising committee reserves the right to disqualify any individual or team at its discretion.

Interested participants can find more information about how to apply at www.mtn.com/pachipanda-challenge. 

To submit an entry to any of the challenge statements, answer the following questions:

Briefly describe your innovative idea or solution (Maximum of 200 words)

What makes your idea or solution outstanding and deserving of selection? (Maximum of 200 words)

How would your idea or solution impact people at the community, national and international levels? (Maximum 200 words)

Provide a detailed description of your innovative idea or solution, including evidence or proof of concept (Maximum of 2000 words)

Timelines

The PachiPanda Challenge will run from July to October 2026.

Application portal opens—29th July 2026

Application portal closes—28th August 2026

Top 100 Announcement – 18th September 2026

Top 25 Announcement – 2nd October 2026

Top 10 Announcement – 9th October 2026

Boot camp and Pitch Day event – 20th – 23rd October 2026

Winners Announcement – 23rd October 2026

BENEFIT:

Prizes:

First (1st) Position – ₦ 5,000,000

Second (2nd) Position – ₦ 3,000,000

Third (3rd) Position – ₦ 2,000,000

The winners will represent Nigeria at the Africa PachiPanda Finale in South Africa, along with winners from other countries.