Cameroon also achieved third place with AgriCheck, presented by Bill Agha, a solution that aims to optimize agricultural management and play a key role in strengthening food security.
The Africa PachiPanda Challenge is a pan-African technological innovation program launched by the South African MTN Group in partnership with WWF, which supports young Africans aged 18 to 35 in developing entrepreneurial and technological solutions that address the continent’s significant environmental challenges, particularly those related to the nexus of food, energy, and water.
The competition was conducted in two phases: a national selection followed by a continental finale where the best projects were presented to a jury of experts in finance and sustainable development.
First price
Arnaud Njita, nTron STEM Kit
Winning the Africa Pachi Panda Challenge has been an incredibly meaningful experience for me. It provided a platform to showcase the innovative solutions that we are building to address some of the most pressing challenges facing our communities, our country, and Africa as a whole.
This recognition has also been a huge responsibility, representing my team, Nervtek, from Buea, and my country, Cameroon, on an international stage. We were not only carrying our own hopes but also the bar set by our predecessors who represented Cameroon last year.
I’m deeply grateful for the entire experience, especially the mentorship, guidance, masterclasses, and training sessions. These have not only helped me develop personally but also stretched me to push beyond my limits. The challenges and pressure were intense, but they allowed me to grow, improve and refine our work. I also want to express my gratitude to the organizers and partners, especially MTN, WWF, and Deloitte, for their invaluable support throughout this journey.
One of the most interesting moments of this experience was witnessing the innovative and sustainable solutions from across Africa, all united by a shared goal of building the Africa we envision. It was inspiring to see how creativity and collaboration can come together for a common purpose.
As the pan-African finalist winner of the Africa Pachi Panda Challenge, competing against the top innovators from Zambia, Uganda, Nigeria, and South Africa was incredibly rewarding. This win represents more than just a prize, it’s a major milestone and an incredible opportunity for us to enhance the work we are doing. Through the support gained from this recognition, we plan to reinvest in our product, the nTron STEM Kit, improving its efficiency, scalability, and reach to impact even more lives across the continent. Our ultimate goal is to empower the next generation of tech innovators and leaders to solve Africa’s most pressing challenges.
This journey has taught me invaluable lessons. Firstly, entrepreneurship is like a war as our coach Mr Dzoyem Roger would say. Success in this space requires resilience, preparation, and the ability to overcome challenges. Secondly, to grow and scale as an entrepreneur, forming strong partnerships is crucial. It’s through collaboration and shared vision that we can truly make a lasting impact.
With this recognition, I’m excited not only to continue enhancing our solution but also to inspire other young innovators across Africa. We are committed to leveraging this opportunity to not only improve our project but to serve as an inspiration of what’s possible when we push the boundaries of innovation to solve the problems that matter most to our communities.
Third Price
Bill Agha, AgriCheck
Winning this award has reinforced three major lessons for me.
First, African problems require African-built solutions but executed at global standards*. Competing at the MTN PachiPanda platform showed me that innovation on our continent is not lacking in talent — it only needs structure, resilience, and bold execution. The difference between a good idea and a winning solution is clarity of vision, measurable impact, and scalability.
Second, I learned that innovation must be deeply rooted in real community pain points. AgriCheck resonated because it addresses a real economic loss farmers face every season due to poor timing decisions. The jury wasn’t impressed by technology alone — they were moved by impact, sustainability, and the pathway to scale.
Third, I learned the power of representation. Standing there as a Cameroonian innovator reminded me that when one of us rises, we expand the belief system of many others watching.
Strengthening the Project
This award gives AgriCheck credibility. We plan to use this visibility to secure stronger partnerships with telecom operators, agricultural cooperatives, and development organizations to accelerate our rollout across Cameroon and West Africa. Recognition opens doors — and we intend to walk through them strategically.
Inspiring Young Innovators
Through TiC Summit and our innovation ecosystem, I will actively share this journey — the wins, the rejections, the lessons. Young Africans need to see that global platforms are accessible. I want them to understand that bold ideas combined with disciplined execution can compete anywhere.
Impacting Communities
Ultimately, awards matter only if communities benefit. Our focus remains on farmers — helping them reduce losses, increase yields, and make data-driven decisions even in low-connectivity environments. If we scale correctly, this is not just a startup story — it becomes an economic empowerment story for hundreds of thousands of rural families.
This recognition is not the destination. It is fuel.
And we are just getting started.
