MTN Nigeria, in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) through its local partner, the Nigerian Conservation Foundation (NCF), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria, and Deloitte Nigeria, has shortlisted 100 young innovators to advance to the second stage of the 2026 Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge 3.0.
The innovators were selected from the 2,436 applications received nationwide following a multi-stage screening and evaluation process conducted by a panel of 25 assessors from diverse disciplines and industries. Their innovations address some of Nigeria’s most pressing environmental challenges, including climate change, pollution, community conservation and environmental sustainability.
The assessment was guided by criteria designed to ensure fairness, consistency and objectivity while evaluating entries. The framework enabled assessors to identify the most promising green solutions targeted at delivering meaningful environmental and social impact.
Commenting on the competition, Tobe Okigbo, Chief Corporate Services and Sustainability Officer, MTN Nigeria, said “As a business deeply connected to the communities we serve, we recognise that environmental responsibility and economic development must go hand in hand. The Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge provides an opportunity for young innovators to develop solutions that address local environmental challenges, strengthen youth entrepreneurship and contribute long-term sustainability. We are excited to see how young people across the country will respond to this year’s theme and demonstrate that eco-innovation can be a powerful force for positive change”.
Now in its third edition, the Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge continues to provide a platform for young innovators and youth-led enterprises developing practical solutions to environmental challenges. Participants benefit from mentorship, specialised technical workshops, seed funding opportunities, access to industry experts and support platforms designed to help scale their innovations.
Following the announcement of the Top 100 shortlist, the second phase will determine the Top 25 innovators and, ultimately, the 10 finalists. The finalists will be revealed ahead of a four-day boot camp and pitch event scheduled to take place in Lagos in October 2026.
During the event week, finalists will participate in specially curated masterclasses designed to sharpen their business acumen, strengthen their presentation skills and refine their solutions for greater impact on a continental scale. The winners of the Nigeria PachiPanda Challenge will go on to represent Nigeria at the Africa PachiPanda Contest in South Africa, where they will compete against national champions from across Africa.
This year’s theme, Nature Meets Innovation: Unlocking Africa’s Green Economy, reiterates the programme’s focus on promoting environmental sustainability through eco-entrepreneurship. By cultivating innovative green solutions, the initiative aims to empower youths and youth-led SMEs to develop solutions that address local environmental challenges while advancing sustainability across the continent.
