Young Cameroonians have once again conquered the continent, securing top honours at the Africa PachiPanda Challenge for the second year running and cementing the nation’s reputation as a powerhouse of green technological innovation.
The finale, held in Johannesburg, saw Arnaud Njita claim first place with his groundbreaking nTron STEM Kit, while compatriot Bill Agha took third prize with AgriCheck. The impressive double victory mirrors Cameroon’s stellar performance in the inaugural edition, confirming an extraordinary streak of excellence on the pan-African stage.
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge, spearheaded by the MTN Group in partnership with WWF, is a pan-African programme empowering young innovators aged 18 to 35 to develop entrepreneurial and technological solutions addressing the continent’s most pressing environmental challenges. This year’s competition focused on the critical nexus of food, energy, and water security.
Cameroon’s winning entry, the nTron STEM Kit, impressed a jury of finance and sustainable development experts with its potential to transform STEM education by equipping students with accessible, innovative learning tools. Meanwhile, AgriCheck earned third place for its smart agricultural management solution designed to bolster food security through optimised farming practices.
Speaking about the awards ceremony, Melvin AKAM, General Manager of Regulatory & Corporate Affairs at MTN Cameroon, hailed the achievement as a testament to the boundless potential of Cameroonian youth.
“At MTN Cameroon, we firmly believe in the power of youth and innovation to transform our communities,” AKAM said. “The exceptional performances recorded this year demonstrate the creativity, determination, and excellence of young Cameroonians. We are proud to support these talents who contribute directly to building a more sustainable and technologically advanced future.”
Both laureates received cash prizes of 3 million and 1.5 million FCFA respectively, alongside training, connectivity equipment, and enhanced strategic support. Through MTN’s extensive pan-African network and its partners, the winners will benefit from mentorship, increased visibility, access to potential investors, and tailored acceleration programmes to scale their solutions across the continent.
For MTN Cameroon and WWF Cameroon, this consecutive victory is more than a trophy, it is evidence that the country’s green innovation ecosystem is maturing rapidly. The shared commitment of both organisations to nurturing sustainability, entrepreneurship, and youth talent continues to bear fruit on Africa’s biggest stage.
“Cameroon shone brightly once again,” AKAM added, “demonstrating that its youth are a powerful engine for sustainable solutions on the continent.”
About MTN Cameroon
MTN Cameroon is a subsidiary of the MTN Group, present in 22 countries worldwide, and has been providing electronic communication and payment solutions in Cameroon since February 2000. MTN Cameroon is the leader in the electronic communications sector in Cameroon.
About WWF Cameroon
WWF is the world’s leading conservation organisation, collaborating with the Cameroonian government since the early 1990s to promote sustainable natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, and the well-being of indigenous peoples and local communities.
