Junior Achievement (JA) Africa has reaffirmed its dedication to fostering a new generation of African entrepreneurs, emphasizing that the continent’s future relies heavily on equipping young people with the necessary skills, confidence, and opportunities to create innovative, solution-driven businesses. The announcement came during the opening of the 15th Company of the Year (COY) Competition in Abuja on Wednesday, where Asheesh Advani, President & CEO of JA Worldwide, stressed that the organisation’s mission goes beyond preparing youth for the future of work—it empowers them to actively shape it.
The three-day event, running from December 3 to 5, 2025, focuses on showcasing Africa’s emerging innovators as they present climate-oriented business solutions under the theme: “ACT! Action for Climate Transformation.” Recognized as one of Africa’s foremost entrepreneurship platforms for teenagers aged 14 to 17, the COY Competition features student-led companies that have completed JA Africa’s hands-on Company Program. This initiative equips young participants with entrepreneurial, financial literacy, work-readiness, and STEM skills to ensure they are prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the modern economy.
“JA Africa reaches over 1.5 million young people annually across 23 countries,” Advani said. “COY offers a unique platform where students consistently demonstrate extraordinary creativity and problem-solving abilities. To thrive as an entrepreneur, self-belief is essential, and JA helps nurture that confidence, with the awards reinforcing their capabilities.”
Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO of JA Africa, highlighted that climate change is no longer a distant issue but a pressing reality affecting millions of Africans daily. While extreme weather events, rising temperatures, and food insecurity threaten livelihoods, they simultaneously present opportunities for youth-led innovations. The COY platform demonstrates that young Africans are already developing practical solutions capable of driving meaningful climate action and transformation.
“Africa’s greatest resource is the creativity and brilliance of its young people,” Nwogugu said. “Climate action is not just an environmental priority—it is central to Africa’s sustainable development. By empowering youth to innovate, COY enables them to convert challenges into opportunities, becoming active changemakers today rather than waiting for the future.”
This year’s theme, Action for Climate Transformation (ACT!), encourages students to harness sustainable innovation in addressing the continent’s most urgent climate-related challenges. Participants in Abuja represent countries including Eswatini, Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia. Their projects span diverse areas such as clean energy, circular economy solutions, fintech, digital content creation, and sustainable manufacturing.
Ellen Ukpi, Director of Marketing and Communications at JA Africa, noted that while many young Africans are aware of pressing societal and environmental challenges, they often lack the structured mentorship, guidance, and resources needed to convert ideas into scalable enterprises. She highlighted notable student innovations, such as transforming plastic waste into affordable building materials for homes, which demonstrates how creativity can address social problems while generating income.
“Students are turning challenges into opportunities and creating viable businesses,” Ukpi said. “This is the essence of JA Africa’s work, impacting young people across 23 countries.” The organisation has already influenced over five million youths across the continent, with alumni including globally recognized entrepreneurs like Iyinoluwa Aboyeji, co-founder of Andela and Flutterwave. Leaders in public service, such as Bosun Tijani, Nigeria’s Minister of ICT, are also among JA Africa alumni.
Winning teams in the competition will receive monetary prizes of $3,000, $2,000, and $1,000 for first, second, and third places, respectively. Additionally, they will gain mentorship, scholarship opportunities, and technical support. The overall continental champion will represent Africa at the Ralph de la Vega Global Entrepreneurship Competition, which offers a grand prize of $15,000. Beyond financial rewards, students gain access to global networks of alumni, mentors, and potential investors, ensuring ongoing support for their ventures.
JA Africa collaborates with African governments to expand entrepreneurship education. In Nigeria, partnerships with the Ministry of Education allow the organisation to reach public schools, while collaborations with the Ministries of Women Affairs and Youth help empower young girls and youth development initiatives. Several ministers and policymakers are expected to attend this year’s stakeholder forum, which aims to embed JA’s programs into national education curricula.
Addressing inquiries about a $1 billion fundraising claim, Ukpi clarified that the figure represents cumulative funds raised by national JA boards worldwide over the past four years, rather than a single fundraising campaign. This year’s COY Competition is supported by prominent global and African institutions, including FedEx, PMIEF, and First Bank Nigeria.
The event will conclude with the JA Africa Stakeholder Convening on December 5, 2025, under the theme “Unlocking Africa’s Youth Dividend: Radical Pathways for Inclusive Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Employment Systems.” This gathering will unite government leaders, educators, private sector representatives, philanthropists, and civil society actors to develop innovative approaches for enhancing entrepreneurship education and creating job opportunities for Africa’s rapidly growing youth population.
