JA Africa and Z Zurich Foundation Announce Finalists for the Inaugural AfrInnovate Youth Challenge

JA Africa, one of the continent’s largest and most impactful youth-serving NGOs, and Z Zurich Foundation (ZZF), a Swiss-based charitable foundation established by members of the Zurich Insurance Group, are thrilled to unveil the three finalist teams for the Inaugural AfrInnovate Youth Challenge (AYC). This prestigious competition will be held online on Thursday, January 18, showcasing the innovative solutions crafted by dynamic young minds.

The three outstanding finalist teams are:

• Red Heart from Cote d’Ivoire: They have developed an innovative application for managing blood donations, addressing a critical need in their community.

• Transcendence from South Africa: An IT-based company aiming to eliminate paper usage, contributing to a more sustainable and tech-driven future.

• Bet Mot from Uganda: This team is making strides in environmental sustainability by creating bricks from used plastics, offering a novel solution to the plastic waste problem.

AYC serves as the annual culmination of the JA-ZZF Social Equity Program (SEP), a transformative initiative seeking to provide financial independence and equal economic participation opportunities to young Africans, empowering them to be catalysts for change. AYC celebrates the remarkable strides being made by these young Africans as they transform into budding social entrepreneurs who are pioneering tomorrow’s solutions today.

Through preliminary national competitions, the three standout social enterprises – Red Heart, Transcendence, and Bet Mot – have been selected to represent Côte d’Ivoire, South Africa, and Uganda, respectively at the competition. They emerged as the most outstanding projects out of 494 projects created by over 10,000 beneficiaries of the program. Projects created address local community needs, including social equity, climate action, and mental well-being.
The AYC promises to be an electrifying event, showcasing the incredible potential and innovative spirit of Africa’s youth. Join them in witnessing these young entrepreneurs as they vie for the coveted title on January 18, marking a momentous step towards a brighter, more sustainable future.

 For more information, visit www.ja-africa.org/ayc