Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
At the grand finale of the Africa PachiPanda Challenge held on February 10, 2026, in Johannesburg, South Africa, Cameroonian teams once again dominated the competition, clinching both first and third places in a contest that brings together Africa’s brightest minds in sustainable technology.
A classroom revolution wins first prize
Standing at the center of this year’s triumph was Arnaud Njita, whose project, the nTron STEM Kit, captured the jury’s attention and secured first place.
The innovation addresses a persistent challenge in African education, limited access to practical tools for teaching Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). The nTron STEM Kit provides hands-on, accessible learning materials that make technical subjects more engaging and practical for students.
By transforming classrooms into spaces of experimentation and discovery, Njita’s project is not just about education — it is about equipping the next generation with the skills needed to solve Africa’s most pressing challenges.
For Njita, the recognition was both meaningful and demanding.
“Winning the Africa Pachi Panda Challenge has been an incredibly meaningful experience for me. It provided a platform to showcase the innovative solutions we are building to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities, our country, and Africa as a whole.”
Seeing the victory as a springboard rather than a destination, he added:
“This win represents more than just a prize, it’s a major milestone and an incredible opportunity for us to enhance the work we are doing.”
Strengthening food security through technology
Cameroon’s third-place winner, Bill Agha, presented AgriCheck, a digital solution designed to optimize agricultural management.
In a continent where food security remains a major concern, AgriCheck offers data-driven tools that help farmers improve productivity, reduce losses, and make smarter decisions. The project reflects a growing trend of youth-led innovations aimed at strengthening sustainable agriculture systems.
For Agha, the experience reinforced a critical lesson about innovation on the continent.
“African problems require African-built solutions, but executed at global standards.”
He emphasized that impact, not just technology, made the difference:
“AgriCheck resonated because it addresses a real economic loss farmers face every season due to poor timing decisions. The jury wasn’t impressed by technology alone — they were moved by impact, sustainability and the pathway to scale.”
More than a competition
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge, launched by the MTN Group in partnership with WWF, supports young Africans aged 18 to 35 who are developing entrepreneurial and technological solutions addressing environmental challenges — particularly in the nexus of food, energy and water.
The competition unfolds in two stages: national selection rounds followed by a continental finale, where finalists present their projects before experts in finance and sustainable development.
Beyond prestige, the rewards are substantial.
The Cameroonian laureates received cash prizes of 3 million FCFA and 1.5 million FCFA respectively. All finalist teams were also awarded training, connectivity equipment, mentorship opportunities, and strategic support through MTN’s pan-African network to help scale their innovations across the continent.
A growing innovation ecosystem
This latest victory mirrors Cameroon’s performance in the inaugural edition last year, where the country also secured first and third places. The back-to-back achievement highlights the growing maturity of Cameroon’s green innovation ecosystem.
For MTN Cameroon and WWF Cameroon, the success represents more than trophies, it signals the transformative potential of youth-driven innovation.
“At MTN Cameroon, we firmly believe in the power of youth and innovation to transform our communities,” said Melvin Akam, General Manager of Regulatory and Corporate Affairs.
“The exceptional performances recorded this year demonstrate the creativity, determination and excellence of young Cameroonians.”
A continental message
Cameroon’s triumph sends a clear message: the country’s youth are not waiting for the future, they are building it.
Arnaud Njita described the responsibility of representing Cameroon on a continental stage:
“This recognition has also been a huge responsibility… We were not only carrying our own hopes but also the bar set by our predecessors who represented Cameroon last year.”
From classrooms to farmlands, Cameroonian innovators are designing practical solutions to environmental and developmental challenges. And as support structures strengthen and regional networks expand, their impact is poised to grow far beyond national borders.
Looking ahead, the winners see the award as a catalyst for expansion.
“This award gives AgriCheck credibility, recognition, opens doors, and we intend to walk through them strategically.” says Agha.
Beyond the recognition, Agha’s focus remains clear: “Awards matter only if communities benefit.”
Once again, Cameroon has shone brightly on the continental stage, not just as a participant, but as a leader in Africa’s sustainable innovation movement.
