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.
About Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo: Student Innovation Competition
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Opportunity Details
- Date Published: July 07, 2025
- Application Deadline: July 25, 2025
- Category: Contest
- Oppotunity Locations: South Africa
- Eligible Locations: Africa
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 & Digital Solutions to Address Operationally related Sustainability Challenges
- Innovative Strategies for PromotingSustainable 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 Postive Innovation: Regenrating Ecosystems through entreprise
Benefits of Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo: Student Innovation Competition
- The winner of the 2025 Student Innovation Competition will be awarded a cash prize of R40,000
- The runner-up receiving R20,000 in recognition of their outstanding contribution to innovative thinking.
Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo: Student Innovation Competition Requirements
- The competition is open to students aged 30 and under
- Currently enrolled at an accredited university or institution of higher learning
Criteria Selection
- 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 Date and Process
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 ). 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.
Key Milestones & Deadline Dates
- One-page abstract: Deadline 25 July 2025
- Judges to receive abstracts to select the final 5: Deadline 15 August 2025
- Send back the final 5 selection: Deadline 28 August 2025
- Finalists are informed to draft a 3000-word Essay: Deadline 25 September 2025
- Judges to score final 5 essays: Deadline: 7 October 2025
- Announcement of the winner and runner-up at the conference: 15 October 2025
- Presentations of winners: 16 October 2025
Note: All submissions must be in PDF format.
Check the website on how to apply
Application Deadline
25 July, 2025
Scholarship Application Portal
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Sustainability & ESG Africa Conference & Expo: Student Innovation Competition
