27 August 2024,
Global NGO, Enactus, is currently hosting its annual Enactus National Exposition 2024 events across the globe. The Anglophone (English-speaking) Africa region too hosted theirs with support received from the Schneider Electric Foundation in South Africa, Kenya, and Nairobi. University Teams showcased their entrepreneurial projects - that demonstrated both impact and sustainability - in their respective countries through presentations to business executives acting as adjudicators of these competitions.
The University of the Western Cape (South Africa), Kabarak University (Kenya) and Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (Nigeria) will represent their countries at the Enactus World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan, from 2-4 October 2024, where they will be competing for the ultimate accolade of Enactus World Champion.
The Enactus National Expositions represents the culmination of the Enactus Core Programme which is currently supported in ten countries by the Schneider Electric Foundation as part of its New Skills for the Future and Innovation programme. The programme aims to upskill and empower youth in energy transition by leveraging the company's resources to provide financial and technical support in view of 139 million new jobs in energy transition by 2030.
“The projects from Anglophone Africa were truly inspiring and quite frankly, groundbreaking. We look forward to the Enactus World Cup which will see the brightest young minds competing to bring innovative solutions to a world in desperate need of sustainable solutions for today and the future,” says Jeanne Laurence, Schneider Electric Global Program Manager, Youth Education and Entrepreneurship Programme.
Letitia de Wet, CEO of Enactus South Africa and Board Member of Enactus Global, says: "The energy and creativity of youth, when harnessed to tackle the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals, can ignite transformative change. Challenging young minds to develop innovative solutions is essential for a future that balances progress with sustainability."
Launched in Anglophone Africa in February 2024, the Enactus Core Programme provides university student teams training and mentorship through the structured Enactus framework to identify social issues, create entrepreneurial solutions, and make a positive impact. Globally, the Schneider Electric Foundation supports 10 countries as part of its partnership with Enactus.
The Enactus Core Programme also offers Schneider Electric employees the opportunity to engage as competition judges and advisors or mentors as the National Champion Team prepares for the Enactus World Cup.
“Congratulations to the winning universities from South Africa, Kenya, and Nigeria; both Schneider Electric and the Schneider Electric Foundation are honoured to form part of this wonderful initiative that foster innovation and entrepreneurship at tertiary level. Thank you to Enactus for a wonderful and impactful partnership,” says Carina van Zyl, Corporate Citizenship Leader, Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric.
South Africa: University of the Western Cape crowned national champions
The Enactus South Africa National Exposition 2024 concluded with a fantastic display of innovation and entrepreneurship on 9 July 2024 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg, Gauteng. The University of the Western Cape (UWC) emerged victorious, presenting two groundbreaking digital solutions:
- Webmax - aims to bridge the digital skills gap for youth and empower small and medium enterprises (SMEs). Through comprehensive training in web development, digital marketing, and graphic design, Webmax equips young individuals to become skilled freelancers, supporting SMEs in enhancing their digital presence.
- LenoKids – an EdTech startup – focused on improving literacy among children aged five to 13. Using a gamified WhatsApp chatbot, LenoKids offers personalised learning experiences that adapt to each child's level, making education engaging and accessible.
Nigeria: Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University emerges victorious
The Enactus Nigeria National Exposition 2024, held on 23 July in Lagos, Nigeria, saw social entrepreneurs from 35 tertiary institutions showcase their projects. Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University emerged as champions with their outstanding innovative solution, ECORESIN.
ECORESIN is a project committed to providing a sustainable solution to the plastic waste crisis. The team developed biodegradable polymers using agricultural and plant-based materials such as cassava and water hyacinth.
These polymers are used to produce various everyday items, from shopping bags to seedling wrappers and packaging for foods, care products, and pharmaceutical products.
Kenya: Kabarak University triumphs
Kabarak University walked away with the laurels at Enactus Kenya National Exposition 2024 held from 25-26 July in Nairobi, Kenya.
The winning project, ThermoSoothe, is an innovative device created by the Save the Sicklers team who developed a solution to alleviate the pain of sickle cell disease. ThermoSoothe combines thermal massage and air pressure technology to improve patient's quality of life.
Enactus is the world’s largest experiential learning network dedicated to developing young leaders to change the world. Each year, this locally rooted, globally-informed network of student, academic, business, and community leaders educates tens of thousands of students – on more than one thousand campuses, across 33+ countries – to use innovation & business principles to help achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.
