The 15th of November, 2022 brought with it great anticipation as the remaining 17 competitors of the Youth Innovation Challenge, an undertaking by the Africa Youth Partnership to Advocate an Equitable Recovery from the Global COVID-19 Pandemic, waited anxiously for the final verdict of the challenge.
On a virtual event attended by the Executive Director of YOTA, Emmanuel Edudzie, Chief Programme Manager of the West African Ford Foundation office, Mac-Ikemenjima Dabesaki, the competitors and the general public, the winners of the Youth Innovation Challenge were unveiled.
The live event kicked off with the guests being given an extensive overview of the Youth Innovation Challenge which was launched in July, 2022 to embolden young people to escalate their contributions to the African recovery agenda by spearheading a network of local catalytic solutions, supported by regional advocacy and policy influencing. Detailing the processes the challenge entailed, the hosts touched on the 1,327 applications received, the rigorous selection process that led to a shortlist of 24 applicants, and the Business Development Support, Coaching, Networking Opportunities and Technical Assistance the candidates received, by being granted access to three paid Udemy courses to build their capacity. After presenting their business plans and budgets, the participants, whose total number had dropped to 17, had since been in a state of apprehension as they awaited this D-Day.
Mac-Ikemenjima Dabesaki of the Ford Foundation, funders of the Africa Youth Partnership, gave a few words of encouragement to the candidates, congratulating them all on achieving the incredible feat of making it to this stage of the competition. He urged those who might not get the cash prize not to relent in their future endeavours.
The ingenious ideas of the candidates were then showcased. Among them were innovations that catered to the sectors of Health and Wellbeing including Vaccines, Agriculture and Fisheries, Biodiversity, Digitisation, AI and Emerging Technologies, Finance, Trade and International Investment, Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Energy and Industry, Governance and Politics, Education and Skills, Housing and Infrastructure Development, Local and Regional Development, Migration, Mobility and Transport, Gender and Tourism.
Finally came the climax of the event where the 4 winners, one from each country; Gambia, Ghana, Liberia and Nigeria, were announced. The lucky select were; Patience Dzigbordi Alifo of Econexus Ventures Ltd, Alagie Ndow of Inspiring Young Stars, Edward S. Miaway of Jungle Bees Product Service Center and Obasi Okechukwu Kingsley and Omoruan Laura Edose of Antech Group. They are to receive cash prizes of $5,000 USD, $4,000 USD, $5,000 USD and $5,000 USD respectively, to fund the implementation of their innovations. The judging criteria given paramount consideration in the selection process were as follows; sustainability, feasibility, fit to scope, value proposition, business model, creativity, human centered, scalability and value for money.
The winners expressed their mixed feelings of shock, joy and gratitude as they were given the chance to give their remarks. The day ended with a flourish as the winners promised to give their best in executing their innovative ideas, to play their part in Africa’s Covid-19 recovery.
