By Ayomide Otitoju
Namibia has secured the top award at the ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Regional Finals, held during the African Energy Week (AEW): Invest in African Energy Awards & Gala Dinner on September 30. The Namibian team was honored for its innovative waste-to-energy project, which converts fish waste into bio-feed for plants using a 3D-printed frame. The initiative promotes sustainable farming, transforms organic waste into valuable nutrients, and supports efforts to combat hunger in rural communities.
Nigeria placed second with its UltraClean project, a solar-powered water purification system designed for classrooms and households. The device combines sand filtration, charcoal purification, and biochar creation to provide clean water, convert waste into fertilizer, and promote sustainable development.
Angola secured third place with a solar-powered system that removes waste from water, aimed at mitigating waterborne diseases, supporting tourism, and generating revenue from recycled plastic waste.
Mozambique came fourth with a sanitation and energy project that converts human waste into biogas, which is then transformed into electricity. Using a carousel and biodigester, the system provides clean water access, improves sanitation for children, and enhances agricultural capacity through irrigation and energy production.
The competition, jointly organized by the ExxonMobil Foundation and non-governmental organization JA Africa, marked the conclusion of a year-long program of quizzes and innovation camps, highlighting the ingenuity of African youth in addressing critical energy and sustainability challenges.
