Three startups emerge winners in TotalEnergies Challenge initiative

… bag N8m cash prize each

Three Nigerian startups have been awarded a cash prize of N8 million each for emerging winners in the fourth edition of the TotalEnergies Startupper Challenge 2024 out of 100 startups selected across 32 African countries participating in the challenge programme this year.

This is part of efforts by the company to support the local economy and promote African youths.

At the grand finale of the contest held in Lagos on Tuesday, the three winners, Emmanuel Abah of Waste2light emerged the best entrepreneur under the ‘Power Up’ category of the challenge programme, while Jacob Abiodun of Coconto was selected under the ‘Cycle Up’ for the best project relating to the circular economy. Yakubu Temtope of Farmci was named as the best entrepreneur in the ‘Innov Up’ category.

This initiative is an indication of the firm’s commitment to support and participate in the development of dynamic and responsible entrepreneurial ecosystems bringing together players from different sectors to bring about new economic models to improve the living condition of the population and respect for the planet as well as highlight local, socially and environmentally responsible initiative.

The company also strives to promote innovation and entrepreneurship as well as support in the socio economic development of the country in which the company operates by supporting the most innovative young entrepreneur in the realisation of their projects. It contributes to the strengthening of the local social fibric through responsible projects.

The challenge targets startups that are less than three years old or pioneering a business idea with a positive impact on their communities and/or the planet.

Country Chair, TotalEnergies Nigeria, Dr Matthieu Bouyer, said the startupper challenge, in its fourth edition, aimed to support the country’s local economic fabric and create an entrepreneurial ecosystem where youths would be visibly mentored.

According to him, the winners in the three categories were carefully selected by a jury made up of experts and successful entrepreneurs.

He added that they were assessed based on their innovative character, feasibility, and development potential in line with the sustainable development goals, as defined by the United Nations.

“TotalEnergies is committed to working closely with its host communities and would continue to support many projects in areas of health, education, and environmental conservation.

“We wish to promote innovation and entrepreneurship, lend its support to the socio-economic development of the countries in which the company operates, by supporting the most innovative young entrepreneurs in the realization of their projects,” he said.

General Manager of TotalEnergies Country Services, Mrs Adesua Adewale, noted that the participation rate from young African entrepreneurs continued to increase with each new edition of the startup challenge.

Adewale pointed out that during the first edition, 11,000 complete files were submitted to the platform and for the 4th edition, 14,000 applications were submitted, out of which about 1,500 were from Nigeria.

Adewale.pointed out that the figures highlighted the desires of young people to undertake and innovate with new projects and solutions to respond to real needs in a responsible manner.
She added that the company would train the winners for three months on how to use the N8 million to grow their businesses.