Afri-Plastics Challenge

Afri-Plastics Challenge

In recent years, the demand for plastic has increased significantly in sub-Saharan Africa…

and is expected to follow the same trajectory in the coming decades. One of the most popular estimates points to 375% growth in Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region combined Against a global average of 210% by 2060.

The Afri-Plastics Challenge aimed to help tackle this problem

The Afri-Plastics Challenge was a prize funded by the Government of Canada, and was part of an element of the $100-million Marine Litter Mitigation Fund announced by Prime Minister Trudeau at the G7 Leaders’ Summit in Charlevoix in June 2018. 

The Challenge aimed to reduce marine plastics in Sub-Saharan African countries by developing and scaling innovative solutions to plastic mismanagement. It involved a public competition that rewarded the best solutions to addressing marine plastic litter in developing countries, in a way that promoted gender equality and empowerment of women and girls. 

The Challenge was divided into three strands:

  • Strand 1 sought small and medium-sized enterprises that had a proof of concept and the ability to scale nationally or regionally to reach a high target number of people, particularly engaging women and girls.
  • Strand 2 sought the creation of new or the development of early-stage products, technology and/or services to encourage the reduction or elimination of plastic usage across Sub-Saharan Africa.
  • Strand 3 sought the creation of campaigns, schemes, tools and other creative interventions that will change both the behaviour of individuals and communities around plastic waste in Sub-Saharan Africa.

40 incredible finalists across the three strands made it through to the final stage (15 in strand 1, 10 in strand 2 and 15 in strand 3), and demonstrated both a unique understanding of the problem and a dedication to tackling it. 

After months of preparation for their pitches, nine winners from across sub-Saharan Africa were announced at the Afri-Plastics Summit and Awards in Nairobi and were awarded a total of £4.1 million (CA$6.7 million).

Interested in working with us on a challenge? Check out our priorities page to find out more

The winners

The judges

Dr. Adenike Akinsemolu faces the camera

Dr Adenike Akinsemolu (Strand 1, 2 & 3)

Founder and Director – The Green Institute

Founder director of the Green Institute in Nigeria, Dr Akinsemolu is a passionate environmental educator and author on sustainability.

Dr Adenike Akinsemolu LinkedIn

Joshua Ampon profile picture

Joshua Amponsem (Strand 3)

Founder and Managing Director, The Recycler Tanzania

Joshua leads the first community-led zero waste project in Ghana. He advocates climate-change adaptation, circular economy, and disaster risk reduction.

Joshua Amponsem LinkedIn

Adwoa Coleman smiles at the camera

Adwoa Coleman (Strand 3)

Country Manager (Ghana), Dow

Adwoa has over 10 years experience in varied technical roles in the chemical manufacturing industry. She is currently focused on enabling a circular economy for plastics in Africa.

Adwoa Coleman LinkedIn

Matthew Haden profile picture

Matthew Haden

Founder and Managing Director, The Recycler Tanzania

Matthew is an expert in solid waste management and recycling with seven years experience in the private sector.

Matthew Haden LinkedIn

Jocelyne Landry Tsonang looks to the camera

Jocelyne Landry Tsonang (Strand 1)

Executive Team Member, African Circular Economy Network

Jocelyne is a Cameroonian entrepreneur. Driven by her Pan-African mindset, she has founded an association of young female leaders, Maluwa Africa, with some 100 members in 20 African countries.

Jocelyne Landry Tsonang LinkedIn

Radhia Mtonga smiles at the camera

Radhia Mtonga (Strand 1, 2 & 3)

Social Enterprise Learning and Development Co-Ordinator – BongoHive

She is a Zambian social entrepreneur whose driving passions are social entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability and the circular economy.

Radhia Mtonga LinkedIn

Edward Mungai faces the camera

Edward Mungai (Strand 1)

Chief Executive Officer, Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC)

Edward headed the regional office for the Danish International Investment Funds in Copenhagen and Africa. He has developed financing mechanisms for SMEs in agribusiness, energy and more.

Edward Mungai LinkedIn

Ida Nganga smiles at the camera

Ida Nganga (Strand 1, 2 & 3)

Regional Head, Anglophone Countries for UNESCO Emerging Technologies

Ida leads the award-winning Regional Consortium for Development, whose experts use technology and engineering as an enabler for achieving Sustainable Development Goals.

Ida Nganga LinkedIn

Oliver Nudds faces the camera

Oliver Nudds (Strand 2)

Managing Director, Ocean Plastics Technologies

Oliver has successfully established distribution channels and sales solutions for multiple international brands and manufacturers over the past 30 years..

Oliver Nudds

Partners

  • Canadian government logo in English and French
  • Challenge Works - a Nesta enterprise
  • Proportion logo
  • Enviu logo
  • Africa Communications Media Group logo
  • Seven logo
  • Blue Globe Innovation logo
  • AfriLabs logo
  • Sustainable Seas Trust logo
  • E4 Impact logo
  • Circle Innovation logo
  • africa.com logo
Read more of our blogs here