Sustainability Olympiad African Regional Finals

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Sustainability Olympiad African Regional Finals 〰️

For the first time, the Sustainability Olympiad held its African Regional Finals. Twenty-four inspiring projects, selected through local innovation events hosted by universities across the continent, came together in Nairobi, Kenya. Over four days, young innovators exchanged ideas with peers, mentors, and experts, bringing locally rooted solutions to an international stage.

A total of 24 teams presented projects addressing local sustainability challenges, including 12 teams participating fully online. The session brought together more than 60 students, with 40 participants joining in person. 

Their projects addressed issues ranging from climate resilience and public health to the circular economy and digital inclusion.

Thetop 5 teams were selected to advance to the Sustainability Olympiad Global Finals in Geneva, Switzerland and additional 2 teams were recognized with Special Awards.

Students engaged directly with a panel of sustainability and entrepreneurship experts, gaining fresh perspectives on turning their ideas into real-world impact. Teams also took part in hands-on applied workshops, working one-on-one with mentors including Dr Tecla Sum, Mr. Milton Ashitiva, Mr. Fred Otswong’o, Mr. Meshack Odede, Mr. Gabriel Ekai and Ms. Maria Lokitari, to refine their projects, sharpen their strategies, and chart the road ahead.

The students engaged in an immersive learning journey to the Giraffe Centre, exploring Kenya's unique biodiversity and conservation efforts while reflecting on the links between nature, sustainability, and climate resilience. 


It was followed by a site visit to the Kitengela Glass Recycling Plant, a social enterprise transforming waste into opportunity through circular economy practices and sustainable livelihoods. 

Roundtable on Leadership for the SDGs, moderated by Professor Max Maina Muniafu of United States International University Africa (USIU), featuring insights from Mr. Meshack Odede, Chairperson of Volunteer Involving Organisations Kenya; Dr. Florence Tanui, Programme Officer for Science at UNESCO's Regional Office for Eastern Africa; and Mr. Arnold Gekonge, Founder of Champions for the Sustainable Development Goals was held to mark the beginning of the last day for the African regional finals.

Participants also joined an online session, From Simulation to Competence: Immersive Technologies and Digital Twins, led by Gustavo Melo, Senior Account Manager at Unity Technologies, before heading out on a guided tour of the UN Headquarters in Nairobi. The Regional Finals concluded with a celebratory evening, dinner followed by distribution of Certificates, Farewell Session, and Cultural Night, marking the close of an unforgettable week for Africa's young sustainability innovators.

This programme was made possible by a community of institutions and people who invested their time, expertise, resources and trust in creating this opportunity for young sustainability innovators.

Our sincere thanks go to the partner universities and student teams across Africa who brought their ideas, energy and commitment to the Regional Finals; to our host, United States International University- Africa (USIU-Africa), for welcoming the programme in Nairobi; and to the mentors, jury members, speakers, moderators, coordinators and volunteers who contributed their knowledge and time throughout the journey. The programme itself reflects this broad community of students, mentors and partners working together.We also gratefully acknowledge the SDG Solution Space and the University of Geneva, and Albatross for the institutional and financial support that helped make this educational programme possible.