Nesta Challenges has announced the launch of the Afri-Plastics Challenge (http://Afri-Plastics.Challenges.org). The Challenge will include a public competition to reward the best solutions from throughout Sub-Saharan Africa for tackling marine plastic waste in poor nations while promoting gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment.
“The drive for home-grown innovation in Africa has led to a major rise in African entrepreneurs developing solutions that are effective and contextual to their environments. This in turn has attracted several global firms and tech hubs to the continent. We are looking for founders, innovators and entrepreneurs across Sub-Saharan Africa with exciting concepts to alleviate the negative impacts of plastic pollution, to help protect marine environments,” Constance Agyeman, Director of International Development, Nesta Challenges said.
Here Is What You Need To Know
- The first strand of the competition, Accelerating Ideas, invites entrepreneurs from across Sub-Saharan Africa to showcase their best innovations aimed at improving plastic waste management in a socially and environmentally responsible manner, as well as reducing the presence of marine plastic litter in the region. The Challenge is looking for submissions from registered non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) with proof of concept and the ability to scale nationally or regionally to reach a large target population, with a focus on women and girls.
- Sub-Saharan Africa produces about 17 million tonnes of waste each year, with only 12% of plastic waste being recycled. The Afri-Plastics Challenge is looking for innovators who can come up with scalable and long-term solutions to keep plastic waste out of the ocean in Sub-Saharan Africa. While the Challenge is open to all genders, women and girls are encouraged to participate by submitting their solutions.
- Every year, over 220 million tonnes of plastic are generated around the world, with much of it ending up in oceans and other bodies of water. In many African countries, only about 12% of waste plastic gets recycled, with the rest being discarded, burned, or buried.
“As Africa begins to recover from COVID-19, innovation remains vital to economic growth, competitiveness and health. SMEs are an important part of the solution because they are constantly innovating, pushing the boundaries of what is possible under much pressure and often with limited resources. We are excited to hear from African entrepreneurs about the ways that their initiatives meet the Afri-Plastics Challenge.”
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- Across the many strands of the Challenge, the Challenge will directly distribute CA$14,500,000 in cash support and CA$1,000,000+ in non-financial (capacity-building) support to the winning innovators.
How To Apply
The requirements and application process for innovators interested in participating in the Challenge may be found at http://Afri-Plastics.Challenges.org.
Applications are due by 12 p.m. BST on Wednesday, September 15, 2021. Nesta Challenges is delivering the Afri-Plastics Challenge, which is financed by the Canadian government.
Charles Rapulu Udoh
Charles Rapulu Udoh is a Lagos-based lawyer who has advised startups across Africa on issues such as startup funding (Venture Capital, Debt financing, private equity, angel investing etc), taxation, strategies, etc. He also has special focus on the protection of business or brands’ intellectual property rights ( such as trademark, patent or design) across Africa and other foreign jurisdictions.
He is well versed on issues of ESG (sustainability), media and entertainment law, corporate finance and governance.
He is also an award-winning writer