Deadline: October 17, 2025
The PachiPanda Challenge 2025, launched by MTN South Africa in partnership with Nedbank, is designed to inspire young entrepreneurs and youth-led SMEs to create technology-driven solutions that tackle urgent environmental issues while supporting South Africa’s Just Transition goals.
The PachiPanda Challenge encourages youth and youth-led SMEs to design and implement innovative, sustainable solutions across Sub-Saharan Africa. It equips and empowers South African youth to address the country’s environmental challenges. It boosts youth involvement in environmental sustainability and climate action within South Africa. It fosters entrepreneurship in the green economy to drive sustainable job creation. It expands young people’s understanding of climate change and community-based sustainable solutions. It supports the development of innovative and sustainable responses to environmental challenges.
Participants are invited to address four main challenge statements. These include developing accessible, clean, and reliable energy solutions for communities to reduce load-shedding impacts; creating technology-enabled innovations in waste management to improve recycling, upcycling, and waste monitoring; designing smart water conservation tools to strengthen water security and support climate adaptation; and building sustainable agriculture solutions that improve food security, farming practices, and farmer livelihoods through digital and technological tools.
Entries are open to South African individuals or teams aged 18 to 35, including youth-led SMEs at the idea or early stage. Teams may consist of up to three members, and registration must be completed online with accurate personal details before the deadline. Employees of MTN South Africa and their immediate families are not eligible to participate. Any fraudulent or unethical behaviour will lead to disqualification.
Applications open on 30 September 2025 and close on 17 October 2025. The Top 10 solutions will be announced on 31 October 2025, with a pitch day event and winner announcements scheduled for 27 November 2025. The first-place winner will receive prizes to the value of R87,000, second place R52,000, and third place R35,000. The top winner will also represent South Africa at the Grand Finale, alongside winners from other participating countries.
For more information, visit MTN.
