For the second consecutive year, young Cameroonian innovators have dominated the continental stage, winning top honors at the Africa PachiPanda Challenge. The grand finale, held on February 10, 2026, in Johannesburg, saw Cameroon cement its reputation as a leading hub for green technology and sustainable innovation in Africa.
The competition, a flagship initiative by MTN Group in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), challenges youth between the ages18 to 35 to create tech-driven solutions for the continent’s most pressing environmental issues. This year’s edition focused specifically on the vital intersections of food, energy, and water security.
Cameroon’s excellence was led by Arnaud Njita, who claimed first prize with his nTron STEM Kit. The project amazed a jury of sustainable development and finance experts by providing accessible, innovative tools designed to revolutionize STEM education and empower the next generation of African scientists.
Adding to the nation’s success, Bill Agha secured third place with AgriCheck, a smart agricultural management system. AgriCheck leverages optimized farming practices to bolster food security, addressing one of the most critical pillars of the 2026 challenge. This double victory mirrors Cameroon’s stellar performance in the inaugural edition, establishing a remarkable streak of dominance in pan-African innovation.
Empowering the Next Generation
Beyond the prestige of the awards, the winners received significant resources to scale their impact. They received cash prizes; 3 million FCFA for first place and 1.5 million FCFA for third place. Connectivity equipment and high-speed data access were equally awarded them and they benefited from mentorship, access to a network of global investors, and tailored acceleration programs through MTN’s pan-African footprint, aimed to speed up their strategic growth.
Melvin Akam, General Manager of Regulatory & Corporate Affairs at MTN Cameroon, highlighted the significance of this achievement: “At MTN Cameroon, we firmly believe in the power of youth and innovation to transform our communities. These performances demonstrate the creativity, determination, and excellence of young Cameroonians.”
The consecutive victories for Cameroon are viewed by observers as a sign that the country’s “green” innovation ecosystem is growing to maturity. The partnership between MTN Cameroon and WWF Cameroon has been instrumental in nurturing this talent. While WWF provides conservation expertise and a focus on sustainable resource management, MTN offers the digital backbone and entrepreneurial support necessary to turn ideas into scalable businesses.
As these young laureates prepare to expand their solutions across the continent, they serve as a powerful reminder that African-led technology is the key to a sustainable and technologically advanced future.
