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Nigeria’s Heat Crisis Is Fueling a New Wave of Startups

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LAGOS, Nigeria, 29 April 2026 -/African Media Agency(AMA)/ – As heat intensifies across Nigeria, a new cohort of ventures is developing solutions to protect crops, reduce food spoilage and livestock losses, and equip hospitals and outdoor workers to anticipate and withstand extreme conditions.

BFA Global, FSD Africa, ClimateWorks Foundation, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Nigeria have selected 10 early-stage ventures to join the inaugural cohort of the TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW) program focused on accelerating solutions to extreme heat.

The 10 selected ventures are:

  • Ofemini Global Limited provides a heat-resilient logistics platform that helps farmers transport perishable goods efficiently, reducing spoilage caused by extreme temperatures through optimized routing and heat monitoring.
  • Agiletech Operations Consulting Limited provides a hyperlocal early-warning system that delivers climate and heat alerts through accessible channels, enabling farmers and micro-entrepreneurs to anticipate risks and take preventive action.
  • Emplaris develops a predictive energy and heat-risk intelligence system for healthcare facilities, helping hospitals anticipate outages and manage equipment stress during extreme heat events.
  • Doorcas Africa delivers an AI-powered livestock health and co-ownership platform that enables early disease detection and prevention, helping farmers reduce heat-related livestock mortality and improve productivity.
  • Farmxic offers an AI-driven soil and crop diagnostics platform that helps farmers adapt to heat-induced soil degradation and crop stress through real-time insights and personalized recommendations.
  • Farm Fresh Grocery Ltd. builds a climate-resilient agricultural system combining heat-adaptive beekeeping, herb production, and consumer products to stabilize yields and supply under rising temperatures.
  • Farmslate Technologies Limited provides a climate intelligence platform that translates satellite and weather data into actionable insights, enabling farmers and financial institutions to manage heat-related risks and improve decision-making.
  • Let-It-Cold offers a solar-powered, portable cooling solution that helps small businesses and households preserve perishable goods during extreme heat and power outages.
  • Pod develops a climate-resilient sanitation system that prevents failure and contamination in heat- and flood-prone environments through on-site treatment and water reuse.
  • TheHyWing Ltd provides a climate-smart digital health platform that combines heat alerts, AI diagnostics, and telemedicine to prevent heat-related health risks among outdoor workers and vulnerable populations.

Together, the ventures address some of the most immediate and under-addressed impacts of extreme heat across Nigeria, including food spoilage and cold chain gaps, heat-induced soil degradation and crop stress, livestock disease and productivity loss, health risks for outdoor workers, and system failures in energy, healthcare, and sanitation infrastructure. They range from early-stage concepts to minimum viable products, reflecting both the urgency of the problem and the early development of solutions in this emerging space.

The cohort reflects a growing innovation ecosystem across Nigeria, with ventures operating in multiple regions. The companies are based in Lagos, Kaduna, and Edo States. This geographic spread underscores the breadth of climate innovation emerging across the country and reinforces TECA’s commitment to supporting founders building locally relevant solutions nationwide.

Selected from a competitive pool, the ventures will each receive $56,000 in funding along with hands-on venture-acceleration support, including user validation, product development, business model design, and investor readiness. Each team will work with embedded venture builders and technical experts to accelerate their path to scale. Six of the ten selected ventures have a female co-founder.

“Extreme heat is rapidly becoming one of the biggest operational risks facing African economies, yet it remains dramatically underinvested,” said Tyler Ferdinand, TECA Director at BFA Global. “Through TECA’s Heat Action Wave, we’re backing entrepreneurs building the tools, services, and financial products that will allow people, businesses, and cities to function in a hotter world. Our goal is not only to support these ventures but to prove that climate adaptation can become a powerful new investment frontier.”

Juliet Munro, Director, Early Stage Finance, at FSD Africa, said: “If climate adaptation finance is going to scale in Africa, it has to be grounded in real, investable solutions. This group of innovators tackling extreme heat is important because it shows what those solutions look like in practice, and that’s what gives markets the confidence to follow. At FSD Africa, our role is to help turn early innovation like this into something markets can actually back.”

“The cost of inaction on climate change is growing, as over 70% of workers around the world are at risk from deadly extreme heat. At the same time, momentum for adaptation is growing, as we see both more funding and more innovation. These new business ventures are strong, community-led solutions that can accelerate resilience in Nigeria and more broadly in the West African region,” said Jessica Brown, Senior Director of Adaptation and Resilience at ClimateWorks Foundation.

“Responding to climate change is central to Nigeria’s future growth and resilience. The UK is excited to support this cohort of ambitious Nigerian businesses developing transformative solutions to extreme heat. TECA’s Heat Action Wave is part of a broader UK partnership with Nigeria that backs private sector–led innovation, creates jobs, and drives shared prosperity for both our countries as we transition to a greener economy,” said Temi Akinrinade, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, Nigeria.

The program will run through 2026, culminating in demo days and investor engagement opportunities, with follow-on support available for top-performing ventures.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of BFA Global

About BFA Global
BFA Global is an impact innovation firm that combines research, advisory, venture building, and investment expertise to build a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for underserved people and the planet. We partner with leading public, private and philanthropic organisations, global and local, to catalyse innovation ecosystems for impact across emerging markets. Since 2006, we have completed 646 projects completed in over 107 countries, supported 250+ ventures in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, who have collectively raised $1B+ in follow-on funding, and have a survival rate above 80% (global average is ~20%), and built a network of 100+ global and African investors, innovators, and funders. Learn more at https://bfaglobal.com/.

About FSD Africa
FSD Africa is a specialist development agency funded through UK Development operating in more than 30 countries working to help make finance work for Africa’s future. Based in Nairobi, FSD Africa’s team of financial sector experts work alongside governments, business leaders, regulators, and policymakers to achieve policy and regulatory reform, capacity strengthening, and improving financial infrastructure, to address systemic challenges in Africa’s financial markets. Since 2017, the organisation’s strategy has evolved to prioritise solutions to Africa’s most critical challenges: economic, social, and environmental. The organisation has worked to promote investment into the continent’s green economy, as well as its rates of financial inclusion and gender equality. FSD Africa – previously known as Financial Sector Deepening Africa – was founded in 2012 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. For more information, please visit:https://www.fsdafrica.org

About ClimateWorks Foundation
ClimateWorks Foundation is a catalyst for accelerating climate progress, driving bold solutions that benefit people and the planet. We connect funders and implementing organizations worldwide to create and scale transformative solutions across sectors and geographies, achieving faster, greater impact together. Since 2008, ClimateWorks has granted over $2 billion to more than 850 grantees across 50 countries, working alongside 80 funders.

The post Nigeria’s Heat Crisis Is Fueling a New Wave of Startups appeared first on African Media Agency.

Entertainment

King Charles Shares Christmas Speech on ‘Division’ Amid Cancer, Family Drama

Maravi Post Reporter

King Charles III reflected on the importance of prioritizing values amid division in his annual Christmas Day speech.

The British monarch, 77, delivered the message on Thursday, December 25, continuing the annual tradition started by his late great-grandfather King George V in 1932 and carried on by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, for seven decades during her reign. Charles took over the custom in 2022, just months after the queen’s death at age 96.

Charles started by recalling the “historic moment of spiritual unity” when he prayed with Pope Leo at the Vatican during his October visit with Queen Camilla. He also mentioned the 80th anniversary of VJ Day while honoring the “courage and sacrifice” of veterans and the “way communities came together in the face of such great challenge.”

“These are the values which have shaped our country and the Commonwealth,” he noted. “As we hear of division, both at home and abroad, they are the values of which we must never lose sight.”

Inside the Royal Family’s Annual Christmas Celebrations and Traditions

Charles continued to share his wisdom with the public, adding, “Journeying is a constant theme of the Christmas story. The Holy Family made a journey to Bethlehem and arrived homeless without proper shelter. The wise men made a pilgrimage from the east to worship at the cradle of Christ; and the shepherds journeyed from field to town in search of Jesus, the savior of the world. In each case, they journeyed with others; and relied on the companionship and kindness of others.”

Charles’ Christmas address comes amid a difficult time for the sovereign. After being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in 2024, he is still undergoing treatment. Aside from Charles’ health issues, the strain within the royal family is perhaps more evident than ever, given the king’s ongoing rift with son Prince Harry and his decision to strip his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of his titles and evict him from his royal estate due to his ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The British Royal Family
Jordan Peck/Getty Images

Earlier this month, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that the royals’ holiday season “may carry a wistful tone” this year, but “they all want to make the most of their time together.”

The chances of Harry, 41, and wife Meghan Markle receiving a Christmas invitation from Charles were always “slim,” a second insider told Us at the time, but new concerns arose over “whether or not trust can be rebuilt” after the couple were spotted at Kris Jenner’s star-studded 70th birthday party in November.

“If they are going to go out and look like Hollywood players, it’s at odds with what the palace and royal family members would do,” the source said of Harry and Meghan, 44.

Meanwhile, Andrew, 65, was not invited to the Christmas festivities, with the first insider noting, “The family wants to put the negativity behind them.”

Despite the drama within his family, Charles hoped to celebrate a memorable holiday with his loved ones.

Look Back at the Royal Family’s Christmas Cards Over the Years

“Charles prioritizes duty, but he’s also a family man who knows his time is precious,” the first source told Us. “He wants a special last Christmas in case it’s his last.”

“Charles wants to have a traditional holiday with all the royals,” the source added. “Every family Christmas is precious, but it’s especially so for him this year.”

Although Charles’ health hasn’t been “the best” as of late, the second insider emphasized, “They’re taking it day by day.”

As for the king’s Christmas Day speech, the first source told Us, “Nothing would stop Charles from doing that,” insisting that he stands by his late mother’s motto that one “has to be seen to be believed.”

Regardless of the personal challenges Charles is facing, the source insisted, “He will do everything expected of him and more.”

Entertainment

King Charles Shares Christmas Speech on ‘Division’ Amid Cancer, Family Drama

Maravi Post Reporter

King Charles III reflected on the importance of prioritizing values amid division in his annual Christmas Day speech.

The British monarch, 77, delivered the message on Thursday, December 25, continuing the annual tradition started by his late great-grandfather King George V in 1932 and carried on by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, for seven decades during her reign. Charles took over the custom in 2022, just months after the queen’s death at age 96.

Charles started by recalling the “historic moment of spiritual unity” when he prayed with Pope Leo at the Vatican during his October visit with Queen Camilla. He also mentioned the 80th anniversary of VJ Day while honoring the “courage and sacrifice” of veterans and the “way communities came together in the face of such great challenge.”

“These are the values which have shaped our country and the Commonwealth,” he noted. “As we hear of division, both at home and abroad, they are the values of which we must never lose sight.”

Inside the Royal Family’s Annual Christmas Celebrations and Traditions

Charles continued to share his wisdom with the public, adding, “Journeying is a constant theme of the Christmas story. The Holy Family made a journey to Bethlehem and arrived homeless without proper shelter. The wise men made a pilgrimage from the east to worship at the cradle of Christ; and the shepherds journeyed from field to town in search of Jesus, the savior of the world. In each case, they journeyed with others; and relied on the companionship and kindness of others.”

Charles’ Christmas address comes amid a difficult time for the sovereign. After being diagnosed with an undisclosed form of cancer in 2024, he is still undergoing treatment. Aside from Charles’ health issues, the strain within the royal family is perhaps more evident than ever, given the king’s ongoing rift with son Prince Harry and his decision to strip his brother Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor of his titles and evict him from his royal estate due to his ties to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

The British Royal Family
Jordan Peck/Getty Images

Earlier this month, a source exclusively told Us Weekly that the royals’ holiday season “may carry a wistful tone” this year, but “they all want to make the most of their time together.”

The chances of Harry, 41, and wife Meghan Markle receiving a Christmas invitation from Charles were always “slim,” a second insider told Us at the time, but new concerns arose over “whether or not trust can be rebuilt” after the couple were spotted at Kris Jenner’s star-studded 70th birthday party in November.

“If they are going to go out and look like Hollywood players, it’s at odds with what the palace and royal family members would do,” the source said of Harry and Meghan, 44.

Meanwhile, Andrew, 65, was not invited to the Christmas festivities, with the first insider noting, “The family wants to put the negativity behind them.”

Despite the drama within his family, Charles hoped to celebrate a memorable holiday with his loved ones.

Look Back at the Royal Family’s Christmas Cards Over the Years

“Charles prioritizes duty, but he’s also a family man who knows his time is precious,” the first source told Us. “He wants a special last Christmas in case it’s his last.”

“Charles wants to have a traditional holiday with all the royals,” the source added. “Every family Christmas is precious, but it’s especially so for him this year.”

Although Charles’ health hasn’t been “the best” as of late, the second insider emphasized, “They’re taking it day by day.”

As for the king’s Christmas Day speech, the first source told Us, “Nothing would stop Charles from doing that,” insisting that he stands by his late mother’s motto that one “has to be seen to be believed.”

Regardless of the personal challenges Charles is facing, the source insisted, “He will do everything expected of him and more.”

AMA

TECA Heat Action Wave Launches in Nigeria to Tackle Growing Threat from Extreme Heat

MaraviPost

The new TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW) will back 12 early-stage ventures in Nigeria with capital and venture-building support to protect heat-vulnerable communities.

NAIROBI, Kenya, 27th August 2025-/African Media Agency (AMA)/-TECA Heat Action Wave (THAW), a new initiative to address Nigeria’s escalating extreme heat crisis, was launched today by BFA Global, FSD Africa, ClimateWorks Foundation, and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) Nigeria. Together, the coalition has committed $1.1 million to support 12 early-stage ventures developing innovative solutions to protect climate-vulnerable communities from the growing impacts of extreme and chronic heat.

Extreme heat events are now at least ten times more likely in West Africa due to human-caused global warming. In Nigeria, millions of jobs and livelihoods are already at risk, with more than 60% of the population regularly exposed to dangerous heatwaves. Urban settlements like Lagos, Kano, and Abuja now experience heat indices above 50°C during peak months.

“Extreme heat represents perhaps the most overlooked consequence of climate change affecting Africa today,” said Juliet Munro, Early-Stage Finance Director at FSD Africa. “It’s not only a public health emergency, but a threat to livelihoods, productivity, and long-term economic resilience. Through this initiative, we’re making a strategic investment in African-led innovation, supporting scalable, context-specific solutions that deliver real impact where it’s needed most.”

THAW will support 12 early-stage ventures developing market-driven early warning tools, innovative financial instruments such as parametric heat insurance, emergency-centric finance tech, and ecosystem enablers and builders — tools and services that help individuals and small businesses operate more safely and efficiently in rising heat, preferably integrating early warning systems or fintech solutions.

Selected entrepreneurs will receive seed capital, venture-building support, and expert-led sprints on user research, product design, business modeling, and fundraising. Each startup will be matched with an embedded venture builder who will join their team to accelerate execution and strategy. Entrepreneurs will also gain access to a suite of technical specialists, female-focused mentorship, and local consultants to support prototyping and market testing. 

“Addressing the impacts of extreme heat requires bold, market-led innovation, and that’s exactly what this initiative delivers. By supporting local entrepreneurs to develop viable, scalable solutions, we’re strengthening the role of the private sector in driving climate resilience. FCDO is proud to back this partnership, which puts Nigerian-led innovation at the centre of solving one of the region’s most pressing climate adaptation challenges,” said Temi Akinrinade, Private Sector Development Advisor at FCDO Nigeria.

“Extreme heat is silently eroding lives, productivity, and economic opportunity,” said Tyler Ferdinand, TECA Director at BFA Global. “Through TECA, we’re not only funding ventures, we’re embedding the strategic support, networks, and capital they need to transform survival into resilience.”

“The world is racing against a closing window of time for investing in the ability of communities to withstand and recover from climate shocks. Adaptation is not only a response, but also a strategy for economic security, market stability, and shared prosperity in a warming world,” said Jessica Brown, Senior Director of Adaptation and Resilience at ClimateWorks Foundation.

The program will run through mid-2026, culminating in demo days and investor events. High-performing ventures may qualify for reinvestment and tailored follow-on support through 2027.

Implemented by BFA Global in partnership with FSD Africa, TECA is a venture-building program designed to spark exponential climate action by sourcing and accelerating bold, locally grounded solutions to emerging climate threats. This new heat-focused initiative reinforces TECA’s commitment to inclusive entrepreneurship, gender-intentional design, and transformational funding, positioning Nigeria as a hub for scalable, investable climate innovations. Entrepreneurs are invited to apply to join the Heat Action Wave.

Distributed by African Media Agency (AMA) on behalf of BFA Global

About BFA Global

BFA Global is an impact innovation firm that combines research, advisory, venture building, and investment expertise to build a more inclusive, equitable, and resilient future for underserved people and the planet. We partner with leading public, private and philanthropic organizations, global and local, to catalyze innovation ecosystems for impact across emerging markets. Since 2006, we have completed 646 projects completed in over 104 countries, supported 118+ ventures in Africa, Latin America, and Asia, who have collectively raised $815M+ in follow-on funding, and have a survival rate above 80% (global average is ~20%), and built a network of 100+ global and African investors, innovators, and funders focused on climate resilience. Learn more at https://bfaglobal.com/ 

About FSD Africa 

FSD Africa is a specialist development agency funded through UK Development operating in more than 30 countries working to help make finance work for Africa’s future. Based in Nairobi, FSD Africa’s team of financial sector experts work alongside governments, business leaders, regulators, and policymakers to achieve policy and regulatory reform, capacity strengthening, and improving financial infrastructure, to address systemic challenges in Africa’s financial markets. Since 2017, the organisation’s strategy has evolved to prioritise solutions to Africa’s most critical challenges: economic, social, and environmental. The organisation has worked to promote investment into the continent’s green economy, as well as its rates of financial inclusion and gender equality. FSD Africa – previously known as Financial Sector Deepening Africa – was founded in 2012 and is based in Nairobi, Kenya. For more information, please visit: https://www.fsdafrica.org  

About ClimateWorks Foundation 

ClimateWorks Foundation is a catalyst for accelerating climate progress, driving bold solutions that benefit people and the planet. We connect funders and implementing partners worldwide to co-create and scale transformative solutions across sectors and geographies, achieving faster, greater impact together. Since 2008, ClimateWorks has granted over $2 billion to 850+ partners in more than 50 countries and in collaboration with 80+ funders.

Media Contact:

Carmen Merab cmerab@bfaglobal.com

The post TECA Heat Action Wave Launches in Nigeria to Tackle Growing Threat from Extreme Heat appeared first on African Media Agency.

Lifestyle

South Africa: former Springboks rugby player Cornal Hendricks dead at 37

Maravi Post Reporter

Cornal Hendricks, a South African rugby player who made 12 appearances for the Springboks and was a star for his country at sevens, has died. He was 37.

Hendricks died on Wednesday after a heart attack, SA Rugby said on Thursday. He was diagnosed with a heart condition in 2015 and retired from professional rugby on medical advice, before making a comeback in 2019.

Mark Alexander, president of SA Rugby, said he was “deeply saddened” by the sudden death of Hendricks, who he described as a “remarkable athlete who represented his country in sevens and fifteen-man rugby with distinction.” The Bulls, where he played the final years of his career, remembered Hendricks’ “zeal for life” and for him being a “gentleman on and off the field.”

Hendricks played 12 tests as a winger for the Boks in 2014 and ’15 — scoring five tries — and represented South Africa sevens from 2011-14, winning a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2014.

He played at the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2013, the same year he was voted as South Africa’s player of the year in the format. In a 17-year club career, during which he also played at center, Hendricks represented the Cheetahs and the Bulls in Super Rugby and the United Rugby Championship.

“Cornal was one of those players who loved the game and he worked extremely hard, but he always did so with a smile on his face, treating all people with respect,” Alexander said.

“His energy and love of life, on and off the field, lifted his teammates and those around him.”

Gayton McKenzie, South Africa’s sports minister, posted a photo of Hendricks on X with the words: “Rest in perfect peace Cornal Hendricks, you have made your mark by inspiring many.”

The Bulls, where he played from 2019-24, allowed Hendricks to make “a remarkable use of his second lease in professional rugby,” its director of rugby, Jake White, said.

“We all witnessed him leave no stone unturned as he inspired his teammates and the South African community through his story of hope and courage,” White said, before adding: “It was a privilege and honor to have been his coach, a fantastic role model for the next generation and his appetite for life was infectious. Rugby has lost one of the good ones today.”

Source: Africanews

https://video.euronews.com/mp4/ED/15/04/35/08/ED_PYR_1504358_20250516041935.mp4
Health

Covid-19: Commonwealth ministers call for global co-operation on vaccines

Maravi Post Reporter

– –

Commonwealth Law Ministers have called for increased international co-operation to enable equal access to Covid-19 vaccinations.

A special virtual meeting of Law Ministers was convened on 18 February to discuss legal implications of the pandemic – in particular on access to justice, upholding the rule of law, and equitable access to essential medicines and equipment.

Commonwealth countries have recorded more than 19 million Covid-19 cases and 370,000 deaths.

During their meeting, Law Ministers shared their views and experiences of legal challenges which have arisen amid the pandemic.

Ministers stressed how lockdowns, social distancing, and other emergency measures affected courts and the administration of justice.

– –

It was noted that the pandemic has accelerated the digitalisation and modernisation of judicial services, with technology such as video-conferencing being widely used in courts in many Commonwealth jurisdictions.

Ministers agreed on a range of outcomes from the meeting, including a commitment to work collaboratively to support timely and equal access to vaccines for the Commonwealth and all other countries.

They also issued a plea to Governments to provide adequate resources to ensure the realisation of equal access to justice for all in the Commonwealth.

Opening the Law Ministers meeting, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said: “Most countries in the Commonwealth are yet to receive vaccines. There is a real need for increased international co-operation to ensure that no one is left behind.

– –

“We are all in this together. No one country is safe until we are all safe. The pandemic knows no territorial boundaries.”

The Secretary-General spoke of the pandemic’s “untold damage” to justice systems and the increase in barriers to equal access to justice, especially for women and girls. Cybercrime, including online child sexual abuse, and domestic violence have risen.

Backlogs in civil and criminal cases have also increased; which has exacerbated long-standing justice challenges such as high costs, delays, and complexities associated with dispute resolution.

She added: “I know that the strength of the Commonwealth family will help us all to pull through, and build back better, leaving no one behind. Improving justice will be the pillar and foundation of our new normal.”

Hon Ali Sabry, Minister of Justice for Sri Lanka, who chaired the meeting, said afterwards: “In these challenging times, it is a source of strength to have global partners working together.

In bringing together its members to share their experiences, expertise, and solutions, the Commonwealth family has united us all in our resolve and is a beacon of hope in moving forward to find answers to an issue of unprecedented magnitude.”

Hon Ronald Lamola, South Africa’s Minister of Justice, echoed the call for international co-operation to ensure equitable access to vaccines.

He said “no part of the world will be safe from Covid until all parts of the world are safe” and stressed the need to work together as Commonwealth nations and the broader international community in the fight against the virus.

Minister of Justice and Attorney-General of Canada, Hon David Lametti, said: “As countries around the world deal with the challenges the pandemic poses to their legal systems, promoting access to justice and ensuring the rule of law are key priorities for Ministers of Law.

“It was great to connect with Commonwealth Law Ministers to support and learn from each other as we continue our work to advance equal access to justice for all during the pandemic.”

Four special envoys and champions announced by Commonwealth

Source

Regional

The 20 finalists for Commonwealth Youth Awards 2021

Maravi Post Reporter

– –

Twenty extraordinary young individuals including inventors, activists and entrepreneurs from 18 countries have been announced as finalists for this year’s Commonwealth Youth Awards.

The awards recognise outstanding Commonwealth young people whose projects are transforming lives in their communities and helping to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

More than 1,000 entries from 43 Commonwealth countries were received last year. The finalists were selected across each of the award’s regional categories following a rigorous judging process.

This year, the awards have expanded to include five regional categories: Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe and Canada, and the Pacific.

The top finalist from each region will be announced as the regional winner at the official awards ceremony on 10 March 2021. The ceremony will be held virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

– –

Of these five regional winners, one outstanding young person will become the Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2021.

All 20 finalists will each receive a trophy, certificate and £1,000 to expand the impact of their projects. Each regional winner will receive £3,000 and the overall pan-Commonwealth winner will take home a total of £5,000.

Speaking ahead of the announcement, the Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said “Every day, in all parts of the Commonwealth, young people are delivering a vast range of impressive innovations. Much of what they do may go unnoticed or be taken for granted.

“Yet, often it is what young people do which makes all the difference, especially now at a time of unimaginable human suffering inflicted by the pandemic and economic crisis.

– –

“The finalists remind us that there is no lack of ideas or talent, but of support mechanisms necessary for young innovators.

“So, our initiatives such as the Youth Awards put a spotlight on outstanding young people who are bringing innovative ideas and creative solutions to support, lead and deliver a future of peace, prosperity and progress.”

The call for nominations was announced on International Youth Day on 12 August 2020. The judging panel included high commissioners, development experts and youth leaders from across the Commonwealth.

This year’s ceremony will also recognise a select number of young people who have successfully addressed the challenges posed by the pandemic in their communities.

The 2021 finalists, in alphabetical order by region and individual surname, are:

Africa

Abdulrehman Alwy (Kenya)

Focus: SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being

Abdulrehman is a co-founder of ‘RedSplash Kenya’; an initiative creating awareness on the importance of voluntary blood donations and working to tackle misinformation around donating. The organisation hosts educational blood drives and operates an online app for donors to register and to send out appeals. The initiative has helped serve over 5000 patients in need, and recruited hundreds of volunteers to support their campaigns.

Wadi Ben-Hirki (Nigeria)

Focus: SDG 5 – Gender Equality

Wadi is the founder of the ‘Wadi Ben-Hirki Foundation’; an organisation which champions for the empowerment of marginalised groups in Nigeria. The foundation’s initiatives include donating food and education materials to Boko Haram victims, campaigns against child marriage and sexual violence and providing safe spaces for vulnerable girls and women. These projects have collectively impacted the lives of thousands across Nigeria.

Jeremiah Thoronka (Sierra Leone)

Focus: SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy

Jeremiah is the founder of ‘Optim Energy’; a company that harnesses solar energy through innovative technology to create affordable, accessible and clear power for communities in Sierra Leone. The project has helped power over 150 households and 15 schools in Sierra Leone at minimal cost, which has benefitted over 10,000 people, and provides best practice training on energy efficiency and conservation to the younger generation.

Nawa Joe Silishebo (Zambia)

Focus: SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

Nawa is a co-founder of ‘The Young Emerging Farmers Initiative’; which promotes and empowers young people in agribusiness and climate change action through skills training, fundraising and outreach programmes. The initiative has reached over 500,000 young people across 10 Zambian provinces in rural and urban areas and helped train 5000 youths in agribusiness, including connecting over 100 ‘agri-preneurs’ to financial support and markets.

Asia

Alina Alam (India)

Focus: SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

Alina is the founder of ‘Mitti Café’; which trains and employs persons with intellectual, physical and/or psychiatric disabilities to work in inclusive kitchens and cafes in India. The organisation’s outreach initiative also helps create awareness about inclusion and disability rights. Mitti Café has trained over 700 persons with disabilities and served over 1 million meals to vulnerable communities and homeless groups.

Syed Ommer Amer (Pakistan)

Focus: SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Syed is the founder of Daastan; a modern book publishing company and go-to platform for global authors. The company uses a social enterprise model to support authors to monetize their time, content and skills through online training and workshops. Daastan has supported 10,000 authors from 17 countries and helped publish over 300 titles.

Faysal Islam (Bangladesh)

Focus: SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-Being

Faysal is a co-founder of ‘Safewheel’; an organisation that provides affordable emergency medical services through mini three-wheeled ambulances and trained medical staff onboard. The company’s current 10 ambulances have served over 1000 people in rural populations in Bangladesh at 1/10th of the cost and three times faster on average than convention ambulances.

Mogesh Sababathy (Malaysia)

Focus: SDG 4 – Life Below Water

Mogesh is a co-founder of ‘Project Ocean Hope’, a youth-led group that aims to raise the visibility of ocean issues and environmental conservation through campaigns and youth leadership training. The group has also run educational community projects to reduce littering and unsustainable fishing practices, and an ocean literacy webinar series on waste management, reaching over 10,000 individuals across 15 countries.

Caribbean

Taahir Bulbulia (Barbados)

Focus: SDG 4 – Quality Education

Taahir is the founder of the ‘Sports Science Society’; a student-based organisation that promotes the holistic benefits of sport and provides mentorship to at-risk youth on mental health, sports law and drug prevention. The programme has trained 30 volunteers across 10 organisations and reached 500 young people in the region, particularly helping to tackle bullying and mental health issues.

Bevon Chadel Charles (Grenada)

Focus: SDG 2 – Zero Hunger

Bevon is the founder of ‘Akata Farms’; an organisation that aims to create sustainable farms and livelihoods across the Caribbean through climate-smart agriculture. The farms operate across 100 acres providing fresh, quality goods in-person and online, and the organisation provides peer-to-peer mentorship to young people, particularly women, looking to start businesses in agriculture.

Dawsher Charles (Trinidad and Tobago)

Focus: SDG 4 – Quality Education

Dawsher is the founder of ‘Survival Scholars’; a project that promotes self-care, good mental health and well-being to at-risk and disadvantaged youths through social and emotional learning skills, the arts and storytelling. The project has reached over 6000 young people and parents and equipped youths with stressor coping mechanisms for school and life, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jubilanté Cutting (Guyana)

Focus: SDG 9 – Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Jubilanté is the founder of the ‘Guyana Animation Network’, which raises awareness and advocates for youth opportunities and skills training in digital media, animation and the STEM subjects. The programme includes Digital Summer Camps, a ‘Girls in ICT’ initiative and mentorship support. The programme has trained over 300 young people in ICT and entrepreneurship, and supported critical online training in business marketing and digital skills.

Europe and Canada

Diego Armando Aparicio (Cyprus)

Focus: SDG 16 – Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Diego is the founder of ‘QueerWave’; the first LGBTQ+ film festival in Cyprus designed to tackle stigma and promote a more inclusive society through art and cinema. The 2020 festival’s online screening consisted of 25 films and was attended by over 1000 individuals. Queerwave has helped connect new audiences and raise important issues around social inequalities in order to foster inclusivity and peacebuilding.

Siena Castellon (United Kingdom)

Focus: SDG 4 – Quality Education

Siena is the founder of ‘Neurodiversity Celebration Week’; an initiative designed to encourage schools and colleges to change the way they perceive autistic students and students with learning differences.

In addition to providing practical advice on overcoming challenges at school, the programme provides free resources to help teachers better support neurodiverse students. The 2020 programme reached over 850 schools and more than 500,000 students across the world, and the online mentoring programme currently has over 1000 global subscribers.

Bradley Heslop (United Kingdom)

Focus: SDG 1 – No Poverty

Bradley is the co-founder of WSV Global; an organisation that develops community business solutions to social needs affecting communities living on less than $5 a day. These solutions, packaged as franchises, work to provide a range of vital products and services including addressing menstrual hygiene challenges, access to solar-energy and recycling waste into fertiliser. WSV Global has helped support over 10,000 vulnerable people and helped over 200 entrepreneurs scale their work and income.

Ellenor McIntosh (United Kingdom)

Focus: SDG 6 – Clean Water and Sanitation

Ellenor is the co-founder and inventor of ‘Twipes’; a flushable, biodegradable wet wipe made of wood pulp. Through the production and sales of Twipes, the company aims to reduce the environmental damage caused by traditional wet wipes. The product has been sold to restaurants, gyms and hotel chains across the UK and a percentage of the business profits are donated to creating clean water systems in Uganda.

Pacific

Catherine Geluwa (Papua New Guinea)

Focus: SDG 5 – Gender Equality

Catherine is an executive member of ‘Queenpads Products’; an organisation which provides alternative reusable menstrual cloth pads to women and girls in PNG and provides training on good menstrual health practices and de-stigmatisation. The organisation has distributed over 1800 cloth pads to multiple districts across PNG and have helped educate over 2000 people across schools, churches and safe houses.

Olive Natalie Mafi (Tonga)

Focus: SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth

Olive is the Programme and Events Co-ordinator for GO GREEN!; a youth-led community initiative creating employment opportunities through entrepreneurship and mentorship support. The programme also provides affordable, sustainable fashion choices as well as encouraging fashion and design talent and ethical recycling within the youth community. The programme has engaged over 1000 people, offering basic work skills to over 200 volunteers and has helped repurpose over 1000 pieces of clothing.

Shanal Sivan (Fiji)

Focus: SDG 5 – Gender Equality

Shanal is the founder and producer of ‘Jazbaat’; Fiji’s biggest digital storytelling platform for women, creating an online space to discuss issues affecting them. The platform has reached over 300,000 women and helped tackle sensitive and important issues including domestic violence, supporting children with special needs and facing barriers to education and employment.

Tim Lo Surdo (Australia)

Focus: SDG 10 – Reduced Inequalities

Tim is the founder of ‘Democracy in Colour’; a racial and economic justice organisation created to tackle structural racism and address critical civic issues facing people of colour in Australia.

The programme has grown a membership of over 57,000 people and engaged over 85,000 people in advocacy and capacity-building leadership training including young people, women, and persons with disabilities.

Four special envoys and champions announced by Commonwealth

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Regional

Nominations open for young people to join Commonwealth Youth Council

Maravi Post Reporter

Nominations are open for young leaders to apply to stand for positions on the Commonwealth Youth Council, the body which represents the Commonwealth’s 1.4 billion young people.

The council, one of the world’s most diverse youth-led bodies, is seeking candidates for its nine executive positions to serve from 2021 to 2023.

The elected candidates will develop and run the council, organise workshops and advisory panels, give recommendations for youth development, and attend high-level, policy-shaping forums across the world.

Speaking ahead of the announcement,

Speaking ahead of the announcement, Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said:

“At a time of unprecedented crises rooted in disease, discrimination and disaster, young people are at a greater risk of challenges such as poverty, unemployment and learning losses than other age groups. However, they remain positive, engaged and vocal on the challenges and opportunities.

“Now more than ever, we must harness their exceptional vitality, impressive talent and unique perspective in our recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“The Commonwealth Youth Council is one such platform, which gives young leaders, who best understand the challenges of their peers, a seat at tables to influence decisions affecting their lives and future.”

The call for nominations was first announced last year, however, the entire process was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. All interested candidates, including those who applied last year, must resubmit their nominations.

Commonwealth citizens, aged 15-27, can apply for the following positions from 15 January 2021 until 21 February 2021:

  1. Chairperson (open only to applicants from the Pacific region, as per the rotation policy)
  2. Vice-Chairperson – Inclusion and Engagement
  3. Vice-Chairperson – Partnerships and Resources
  4. Vice-Chairperson – Policy and Advocacy
  5. Regional Representative – Africa and Europe
  6. Regional Representative – Asia Regional
  7. Representative – Caribbean and Americas
  8. Regional Representative – Pacific
  9. Representative Special Interest Groups (any region)

Candidates must have at least three years of experience working with a national youth council or a youth-led organisation.

After nominations and clearance, shortlisted candidates will campaign online from 29 March 2021 to 5 May 2021. The elections will take place online on 7 and 8 May 2021, while the results will be announced on 10 May 2021.

Set up in 2013, the Commonwealth Youth Council aims to advance the youth development agenda across the 54 member countries and boost young people’s participation at all levels of decision-making.

Apply now to join the Commonwealth Youth Council

Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said:

“At a time of unprecedented crises rooted in disease, discrimination and disaster, young people are at a greater risk of challenges such as poverty, unemployment and learning losses than other age groups. However, they remain positive, engaged and vocal on the challenges and opportunities.

“Now more than ever, we must harness their exceptional vitality, impressive talent and unique perspective in our recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“The Commonwealth Youth Council is one such platform, which gives young leaders, who best understand the challenges of their peers, a seat at tables to influence decisions affecting their lives and future.”

The call for nominations was first announced last year, however, the entire process was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic. All interested candidates, including those who applied last year, must resubmit their nominations.

Commonwealth citizens, aged 15-27, can apply for the following positions from 15 January 2021 until 21 February 2021:

  1. Chairperson (open only to applicants from the Pacific region, as per the rotation policy)
  2. Vice-Chairperson – Inclusion and Engagement
  3. Vice-Chairperson – Partnerships and Resources
  4. Vice-Chairperson – Policy and Advocacy
  5. Regional Representative – Africa and Europe
  6. Regional Representative – Asia Regional
  7. Representative – Caribbean and Americas
  8. Regional Representative – Pacific
  9. Representative Special Interest Groups (any region)

Candidates must have at least three years of experience working with a national youth council or a youth-led organisation.

After nominations and clearance, shortlisted candidates will campaign online from 29 March 2021 to 5 May 2021. The elections will take place online on 7 and 8 May 2021, while the results will be announced on 10 May 2021.

Set up in 2013, the Commonwealth Youth Council aims to advance the youth development agenda across the 54 member countries and boost young people’s participation at all levels of decision-making.

Apply now to join the Commonwealth Youth Council

Source

Regional

Four special envoys and champions announced by Commonwealth

Maravi Post Reporter

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The Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland has today announced the names of four special envoys and champions who will promote the Commonwealth’s values and principles around the world.

The four roles will be responsible for portfolio areas covering key issues designed to support and assist the Commonwealth’s 54 countries and 2.5 billion people. The four individuals taking on these new roles are:

Former director of The Prince of Wales’s International Sustainability Unit, Justin Munday, as the Special Envoy on Climate Change, Environment and Socio-Economic Affairs.

He will support the Commonwealth’s climate strategy with a focus on preparing for next year’s COP 26 in Glasgow and mobilising resources to help achieve Paris Agreement ambitions and relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in member states.

The Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Health and Education is Rwandan medical doctor, diplomat and politician, Richard Sezibera. He will focus on the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) relating to health and well-being (SDG3) and quality education (SDG4).

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Prof Praja Trevedi, former economic adviser to the Government of India, has been named the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for SDG Implementation. His focus will be on implementing the UN Agenda 2030 and its 17 Sustainable development goals; including combatting poverty and reducing inequalities.

Finally, the Secretary-General’s Champion for Equality in Sports is British Paralympic athlete, Anne Wafula Strike. Her role involves connecting sporting initiatives and supporting the implementation of SDGs relating to sport, peace and development and improving equality in sport.

Speaking on the announcements, the Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said “I am deeply honoured that these Special Envoys and Champions of such exceptional talent, quality and experience have generously agreed to help us promote the values and principles of the Commonwealth so that we can better deliver the Sustainable Development Goals and assist the 2.5 billion people in the Commonwealth in need of our support.”

Child Online Protection Guidelines launched in Africa

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Politics, Top News

Zimbabwe applies to rejoin Commonwealth

Maravi Post Reporter

President Mnangagwa has repeatedly said he wants to rebuild international ties hence application to rejoin the Commonwealth – 15 years after they left the group.

Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland said she was delighted to receive a letter from Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa, dated 15 May.

However, she added they would only return “when the conditions are right”.

President Mnangagwa, who came to power in November after long-time leader Robert Mugabe was ousted, has said repeatedly he wants to rebuild international ties.

In a statement released on the Commonwealth’s website, Baroness Scotland said:

“I whole-heartedly echo the sentiments of heads of government who have said twice, in 2009 and subsequently in 2011, that they very much look forward to Zimbabwe’s return when the conditions are right.

Zimbabwe’s eventual return to the Commonwealth, following a successful membership application, would be a momentous occasion, given our shared rich history.”

Zimbabwe withdrew from the 53 country-strong Commonwealth in 2003, having initially joined in 1980, after its membership was suspended amid reports of election rigging.

President Mugabe rejected previous attempts to bring the country back into the group.

The Commonwealth statement said the country would have to comply with “the fundamental values set out in the Commonwealth Charter, including democracy and rule of law plus protection of human rights such as freedom of expression” before being allowed to rejoin.

Commonwealth observers have been invited to attend this year’s elections in Zimbabwe – a process which will now form part of the informal assessment which will be carried out as part of the application.

The other member countries will also be consulted, the statement added.