TotalEnergies has announced the commencement of the 4th edition of its ‘Startupper of the Year’ Challenge, aiming to support and encourage young African entrepreneurs to innovate and bring their projects to fruition.
This special edition celebrates the company’s 100th anniversary and is open to participants aged 18 to 35 from 32 African nations, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa. The challenge seeks business creation projects or startups less than three years old that have a positive impact on their communities and the planet.
Award Categories:
Best Entrepreneur (Innov’Up): Recognizes the best business creation project or startup under three years old.
Best Circular Economy Project (Cycle’Up): Rewards projects that adhere to circular economy principles, aiming to produce goods and services sustainably by limiting resource consumption and waste production.
Best Sustainable and Affordable Energy Project (Power’Up): Honors projects promoting, creating, producing, or using sustainable and affordable energies.
Prizes and Support:
Winners in each country will receive financial support, media visibility, and personalized coaching. Additionally, four Pan-African winners will be selected for their projects in the Power’Up category, receiving further support and recognition.
Application Process:
Interested candidates can submit their applications through the official Startupper Challenge website. The call for projects is open from April 30 to June 18, 2025.
Previous Editions:
The Startupper Challenge has a history of empowering young entrepreneurs across Africa. In the 2024 edition, three Egyptian entrepreneurs were recognized for their innovative solutions:
Esraa Abdallah: Developed “Super Abla,” a platform teaching Arabic to children aged 2 to 8, connecting them with their culture, history, and geography.
Mohamed Aboklela: Founded “Tilestic,” which recycles single-use plastic waste into eco-friendly building materials like interlocking tiles and roofing tiles.
Abdallah Kamel: Introduced “Viridi,” offering high-capacity portable chargers for electric vehicles, providing flexible and reliable charging options.
TotalEnergies’ Commitment:
Through initiatives like the Startupper Challenge, TotalEnergies reaffirms its commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in Africa, contributing to sustainable development and economic growth across the continent.
For more information and to apply, visit the official Startupper Challenge website.
