Kuda Backs Africa’s Next‑Gen Founders Through JA Africa’s Company of the Year Competition

<em>L-R: Senior Brand Manager, Kuda, Emmanuel Femi-Adejobi; PR Specialist, Kuda, Blossom Deji-Folutile and Senior Brand Associate Mark Ozugbo at the 15th Junior Achievement Africa Company of the Year Competition held at the Abuja Continental Hotel on December 5</em>

Nigeria’s Smartgenix was the overall winner of the 15th Junior Achievement Africa Company of the Year Competition held at the Abuja Continental Hotel from December 3 to 5, 2025.

The competition, themed “ACT! Action for Climate Transformation,” brought together secondary school teams made up of students aged 14 to 17 from across eight African countries to pitch bold, climate‑conscious business ideas spanning technology, fintech, renewable energy and circular economy solutions.

As a platinum-level sponsor, Kuda Microfinance Bank highlighted its commitment to supporting youth entrepreneurship and financial literacy across Africa.

In a speech delivered at the finals, Kuda’s Senior Brand Manager, Emmanuel Femi-Adejobi, emphasised that real economic change begins with how young people think about money, opportunity and problem‑solving.

He pointed out that the students at the competition are already thinking like founders, spotting problems, designing solutions, building teams and pitching with courage. Supporting JA Africa means expanding access to entrepreneurship education and real-world financial skills for young Africans across the continent.

“Talent is evenly distributed, but opportunity is not. Our job is to help close that gap with digital tools, mentorship, and support for platforms like this that give young entrepreneurs a proper stage to showcase their talents,” he said.

This year’s competition challenged participants to build ventures that do not just deliver profits but address climate and environmental challenges in ways tailored to African realities. The event underscored the role youth-led enterprises can play in driving sustainable development while giving young people a runway to become job creators rather than job seekers.

Teams competed across six tracks: Innovation and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Financial Technology, Digital Media and Creation, Renewable Energy, and Circular Economy and Sustainability.

In addition to the grand prize, Kuda presented the Young Entrepreneurs Award to Kwakhanya PlantIQ from Eswatini, recognising promising talent in youth-led ventures. Mauritius’ Plantura claimed second place while Uganda’s Renewablock finished third, highlighting the diversity and creativity of Africa’s young innovators.

For Kuda, which serves more than 7.5 million customers in Nigeria, sponsoring the competition reflects its mission to empower the next generation of African entrepreneurs.

By providing access to financial tools, mentorship, and platforms for exposure, the bank aims to help young innovators turn ideas into sustainable businesses.

The event also coincided with the JA Africa Stakeholder Convening, which brought together policymakers, educators, private sector leaders, and development partners to discuss strategies for scaling youth skills development, entrepreneurship, and employment systems across Africa.

Kuda believes that nurturing youth talent and equipping them with practical financial and entrepreneurial skills is critical to building a more inclusive, innovative, and climate-conscious Africa.