Applications Open: MTN PachiPanda Challenge 2026 Offers ₦10m in Prizes
Applications are now open for the 2026 MTN Africa PachiPanda Challenge, an innovation competition designed to support young Nigerians and youth-led businesses developing practical solutions to environmental and sustainability challenges.
The initiative is led by MTN Nigeria Communications Plc in partnership with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), through the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF), alongside the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Nigeria and Deloitte Nigeria.
The challenge is aimed at identifying and supporting innovative ideas capable of tackling pressing environmental problems while creating sustainable businesses and livelihoods.
What Can Participants Win?
The Nigerian competition has a total prize pool of ₦10 million, distributed as follows:
- 1st Prize: ₦5 million
- 2nd Prize: ₦3 million
- 3rd Prize: ₦2 million
Beyond the cash prizes, winners will have opportunities to receive mentorship, training and business development support. The top Nigerian winners will also represent the country at the Africa PachiPanda Finale in South Africa, competing alongside winners from other participating countries.
The wider PachiPanda programme provides participants with exposure to experts, potential investors and other innovators, while selected teams can receive support to strengthen their business models and develop their solutions for scale.
Who Can Apply?
The challenge is open to:
- Nigerian residents aged 18 to 35.
- Individual innovators and entrepreneurs.
- University and college students.
- Youth-led SMEs.
- Young entrepreneurs with early-stage or idea-stage solutions.
- Teams of up to three members.
Participants can apply individually or as a team. Employees of MTN Nigeria, NCF, UNDP Nigeria and Deloitte Nigeria, as well as their immediate family members, are not eligible.
Areas of Focus
Applicants are expected to develop solutions addressing environmental challenges, particularly in areas such as climate change, waste management, urban resilience and sustainable development.
The climate-change track seeks ideas capable of reducing greenhouse-gas emissions, helping communities adapt to climate impacts and strengthening resilience.
Another key focus is climate-smart cities and urban resilience, including innovative approaches to waste management that can reduce pollution and health risks. Solutions can be technological, business-oriented, industrial, behavioural or artistic.
What Applicants Need to Submit
Applicants will be required to explain their proposed solution by answering key questions, including:
- A brief description of the idea or solution — maximum 200 words.
- Why the solution is innovative and deserving of selection — maximum 200 words.
- Its potential impact at community, national and international levels — maximum 200 words.
- A detailed description of the solution, including evidence or proof of concept — maximum 2,000 words.
Applicants should therefore focus on presenting a clear problem, a practical solution, evidence of its potential impact and how the idea can be developed or scaled.
Key Dates
According to MTN’s official PachiPanda Challenge page, the 2026 Nigeria programme will run from July to October.
- Applications open: July 29, 2026
- Application deadline: August 28, 2026
- Top 100 announced: September 18, 2026
- Top 25 announced: October 2, 2026
- Top 10 announced: October 9, 2026
- Boot Camp and Pitch Day: October 20–23, 2026
- Winners announced: October 23, 2026
How to Apply
Interested applicants can submit their entries through the official MTN PachiPanda Challenge platform.
Apply for the MTN Africa PachiPanda Challenge 2026
The August 28, 2026 deadline is fast approaching, so eligible innovators and youth-led businesses with viable environmental solutions are encouraged to prepare and submit their applications before the closing date.
The challenge offers more than funding—it provides a platform for young Nigerians to turn environmental ideas into scalable solutions, build sustainable businesses and gain exposure beyond Nigeria.
