Deadline: July 25, 2025
Applications are open for the Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference Student Innovation Competition 2025. The Student Innovation Competition is a cornerstone initiative of the Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo, designed to spotlight and celebrate the next generation of African changemakers. This platform gives students the opportunity to tackle real-world environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges through fresh thinking, innovation, and purpose-driven solutions.
Every year, students from across the continent are invited to present bold, original ideas that address pressing sustainability issues—driving impact at community, national, and global levels. Through this competition, they aim to inspire future leaders while creating meaningful opportunities for learning, mentorship, and exposure.
If you’re passionate about building a better future, this is your platform to stand out, be heard, and make a difference.
2025 Topics & Themes
- Driving an ESG Culture
- Environmental & Social Consciousness Education
- Leveraging Technology and Digital Solutions to Address Operationally related Sustainability Challenges
- Innovative Strategies for Promoting Sustainable Supply Chains and Responsible Sourcing
- The Role of Social Entrepreneurship in Tackling ESG Challenges and Driving Positive Impact
- The future of Urban Living: Designing resilient and regenerative cities
- Waste to Wealth: Circular Economy Innovation
- Nature Positive innovation: Regenerating Ecosystems through enterprise
Prizes
- The winner of the 2025 Student Innovation Competition will be awarded a cash prize of R40,000, with the runner-up receiving R20,000 in recognition of their outstanding contribution to innovative thinking.
Eligibility
- Open to students aged 30 and under, currently enrolled at an accredited university or institution of higher learning.
- Students from any discipline and level at African educational institutions are eligible. The goal is to encourage fresh perspectives and innovative solutions to address sustainability, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) challenges.
Selection Criteria
- Creativity – Does the abstract showcase originality and innovative thinking? Are the proposed ideas creative and distinct from conventional approaches?
- Feasibility – Is the proposed solution feasible to implement in real-world scenarios? Does the abstract address potential challenges and limitations? Are the resources required for implementation reasonable and practical?
- Clarity of Expression – Is the abstract well-written and easy to understand? Are the ideas presented in a clear and organized manner?
- Impact Potential – Does the proposed solution have the potential to create a positive impact on the chosen challenge?
- Relevance to the Chosen Challenge – Does the abstract directly relate to the selected challenge from the provided list?
Application
- Phase 1: Proposal Submission – Students will be asked to submit a one-page abstract detailing any innovative ideas they have, to address an ESG/sustainability challenge (choosing from one of the topics listed below). Entries can be individual, or team based.
- Phase 2: Finalist Essays – The top five finalists will be notified and will have to expand their ideas into a 3000+ word essay. This will have to be completed by the deadline given.
Click here to submit your abstract
For more information, visit Student Innovation Competition.
