Abuja: JA-Africa.org successfully concluded the 15th edition of the JA Africa COY Competition, held from December 3-5, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria, bringing together Africa's brightest young entrepreneurs to showcase innovative business solutions aligned with the theme ACT! Action for Climate Transformation. The continental finals convened student companies from across Africa who had progressed through national JA Company Program competitions to compete across six innovation tracks: Innovation and Technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Financial Technology (FinTech), Digital Media and Creation, Renewable Energy, and Circular Economy and Sustainability.According to African Press Organization, following three days of dynamic pitching, mentorship engagement, exhibitions, and rigorous judging, Nigeria's Smartgenix was crowned the overall Company of the Year 2025 for demonstrating exceptional innovation, execution strength, and high-impact potential. Mauritius' Plantura claimed Second Place, while Uganda's Renewa block secured Third Place, rounding out the podium with solutions focused on sustainability and inclusive development. As the continental champion, Smartgenix will proceed to represent Africa at the global finals of the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award, where it will compete against winning teams from other regions for a grand prize of US $15,000.Additional recognitions were distributed among other deserving teams, thanks to the generous support of various sponsors, including FedEx, PMIEF, FirstBank Nigeria, Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, Kuda Microfinance Bank, Boeing, and Entrepreneurs Organization.Summary of Signature Award Winners:FedEx Global Possibilities Award: XeroLabs, GhanaPMIEF Best Application of Project Management Award: Kwakhanya PlantIQ, EswatiniFirstBank Nigeria CEO Entrepreneurship Award: Plantura, MauritiusSummary of Branded Award Winners:Delta Air Lines Girls LEAD! Award: 16 girls awarded, including Matse Takitsi, Fakudze Temantolo Siphesihle, Dlamini Gcinile Lenhle , among others.Bank of America Best Financial Performance Award: Renewablock, UgandaKuda Young Entrepreneurs Award: Kwakhanya PlantIQ, EswatiniBoeing Sustainable Innovation Award: XeroLabs, GhanaEntrepreneurs Organizations Rising Leader Award: Ameydee Chocken, CEO of Plantura, MauritiusReflecting on the success of COY 2025, Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO of JA Africa, said, "The creativity, courage, and solution-driven mindset we witnessed at COY 2025 remind us why Africa's youth are our greatest asset. Through entrepreneurship education, we are not just preparing young people for the future of work; we are empowering them to lead climate action, create jobs, and build resilient communities across the continent."The competition concluded with the JA Africa Stakeholder Convening held on December 5 in Abuja under the theme Unlocking Africa's Youth Dividend: Radical Pathways for Inclusive Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Employment Systems. The high-level gathering brought together policymakers, educat ors, private sector leaders, philanthropic institutions, and development partners to catalyze strategic collaborations aimed at strengthening entrepreneurship education, expanding skills pathways, and scaling youth employment systems across Africa.COY is anchored in the JA Company Program, which equips young people aged 14-17 with hands-on experience in business creation, financial management, teamwork, leadership, and venture pitching. As youth unemployment continues to pose a major development challenge across the continent, programs such as COY remain essential in bridging education to enterprise creation, equipping young people not only to seek employment but to become job creators and innovators within their communities. Alumni of the program across Africa have gone on to establish registered businesses, secure international scholarships and fellowships, and lead social and technology ventures.The 15th edition of the JA Africa COY was made possible through the generous support of its partners: Headli ne Sponsors - FedEx, Project Management Institute Educational Foundation (PMIEF), and FirstBank Nigeria; Platinum Sponsors - Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, and Kuda Microfinance Bank; Gold Sponsors - Boeing and the Entrepreneurs Organization (EO); and Media Partner - What Media Group.
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