Young sustainability innovators across Africa now have a clearer pathway to transforming their ideas into scalable, investment-ready ventures, following new institutional backing unveiled at the Grand Finale of the 2025/2026 #MyLittleBigThing Sustainability Innovation Challenge.
Through a collaboration with Strathmore University and the Absa Kenya Foundation, the top 16 finalists will enter a structured post-challenge programme designed to tackle one of the biggest barriers facing young innovators: moving from concept to commercially viable enterprise. The programme will provide hands-on support in critical areas such as business registration, legal structuring, and intellectual property (IP) protection—key requirements for attracting investors and scaling solutions.
For aspiring applicants, the initiative signals more than just a competition—it offers a pipeline into real opportunity.
Participants in the challenge undergo a carefully curated journey that equips them with both technical and entrepreneurial skills. Beginning with a digital sustainability course, innovators progress through mentorship, practical bootcamps, and real-world testing of their solutions within communities. By the time they reach the final stage, they are not only pitching ideas, but validated solutions with tangible impact.
National Youth Council (NYC) CEO Gloria Wawira emphasized that such platforms are redefining the role of young people in Africa’s development.
“We are no longer in an era where youth are mere spectators of development; you are the architects of it,” she said. “Platforms like #MyLittleBigThing are enabling young people to move from job seekers to job creators.”
For many participants, one of the most valuable aspects of the challenge is access—to mentorship, networks, and institutional support that would otherwise be difficult to secure independently. Finalists benefit from direct engagement with industry experts, corporate partners, and academic institutions, significantly increasing their chances of long-term success.
Absa Bank Kenya Citizenship Manager Antoninah Moturi noted that the programme is intentionally designed to produce real-world impact.
“The innovators are not just trained—they test their solutions within communities to ensure they are solving real needs. By the time they reach the finale, they are building solutions that are practical, scalable, and relevant,” she said.
The added backing from Strathmore University further strengthens this pathway. According to Prof. David Chiawo, finalists will gain access to incubation facilities, research support, and a network of university partners—resources that can help refine their innovations and open doors to regional and global markets.
For innovators considering applying, the benefits extend well beyond prize money. Participants gain:
- Structured training in sustainability and entrepreneurship
- Access to mentorship from industry leaders
- Opportunities to test and validate solutions in real communities
- Exposure to investors and funding opportunities
- Post-programme support to scale their ventures
The success story of Team Sightra, this year’s winners, highlights what is possible. Their assistive navigation solution for visually impaired individuals evolved through the programme into a refined, user-centered innovation with strong potential for scale.
MK-Africa CEO Muthoni Kanyana described the initiative as a launchpad for long-term impact.
“This is about building a generation of African innovators who are solving problems that matter. The journey doesn’t end at the finale—it begins there,” she said.
