Four Nigerian entrepreneurs get $32,500 prize for cleantech innovations

Four Nigerian entrepreneurs have been awarded $32,500 for their initiatives during the global cleantech innovation programme (GCIP).

The national forum and award ceremony for the global environment facility (GEF) – United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) — GCIP was held on Thursday in Ikeja, Lagos

GCIP is a programme designed to showcase the potential of cleantech innovation and entrepreneurship and respond to the increasing global demand for environmental sustainability and climate action.

The programme is coordinated by UNIDO and funded by GEF in partnership with the federal ministry of science, technology and innovation, Rural Electrification Agency (REA) and Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB).

For the second cohort of the programme, 24 innovators were selected across the country.

At the awards ceremony, Henry Lamba, founder of Schrödinger Technologies, was declared the winner of the GCIP award for producing a machine that helps purify water in Kaduna communities.

Lamba was awarded $10,000.

Victor Boyle-Komolafe of GIVO Africa came second with a cash prize of $7,500, while Enohi Ukpebor of E-Sam Energy
Solutions Ltd secured the third position with a cash prize of $5,000.

Sidikat Folami of FabriThread Cycle Limited won the award for the best female-led startup, while Ukpebor won another award for the best climate mitigation startup.

Speaking during the ceremony, Uche Nnaji, minister of science, technology, and innovation, said the ministry is conducting a technology needs assessment for climate change mitigation and adaptation in key sectors of the economy.

Nnaji, who was represented by Isa Buba, director of environmental science at the ministry, said the world is currently moving towards the use of clean technologies.

“There can be no better time to commence this project than now. I therefore call on all Nigerians to embrace and support deployment of clean energy innovations and solutions across the various sectors of the Nigerian economy,” the minister said.

Also speaking, Abba Aliyu, managing director of REA, announced that the agency will soon commence its component of the GCIP programme.

Aliyu, who was represented by Ngozi Ejiogu, director of the rural electrification fund, said the target beneficiaries would be enterprises that have gone through acceleration cycles with innovative solutions.

“A transparent and competitive tender process has been developed by the project implementation unit to help pre-qualify and select the best of you who will be recipients of the GCIP grants,” Aliyu said.

“There would be three stages to this tender process which include an expression of interest, a request for grants and a pitchathon.

“A portal has been developed to ensure a seamless application process and a launch date will be communicated to you in due course.”

On his part, Reuben Bamidele, national programme officer of the UNIDO regional office in Nigeria, said the country is in “dire need” of clean technologies to meet the energy needs and address climate change.

“The cleantech programme seeks to build robust innovation ecosystems that can identify and systematically support high-impact cleantech technology innovations as well as attract large-scale investments,” Bamidele said.

“With a population of over 200 million people, Nigeria is in dire need of innovations that are sustainable and environmentally friendly.”

Akinwande Akinsulire, startup support lead at Co-creation Hub, said the GCIP was launched two years ago to create a community of innovators and tech enthusiasts to address societal problems.

“Since the project’s inception, we’ve worked closely with UNIDO and other project executing entities to support 49 innovators – 25 in the first cohort and 24 in this second cohort,” Akinsulire said.

“Last year, Nigeria’s top three national winners represented our country at the global competition. Of those winners, Rita’s Ecobarter clinched the global award for the best female climate solution in Vienna.”