JA Africa Breaks Barriers with 2023 Company of the Year Competition
December 8, 2023
JA Africa held its annual regional Company of the Year (COY) competition this week in Kigali, Rwanda. The three-day event brought together students from ten African nations to demonstrate their entrepreneurial skills and business acumen in Africa’s premiere event for young entrepreneurs. This year’s theme, “Breaking Barriers,” encapsulates young Africans’ spirit of innovation, as they strive to overcome obstacles on the path to success.
The JA Africa COY kicked off on December 6 with an opening ceremony that included Rwandan cultural presentations, welcome speeches, and on-stage introductions of each of the ten teams.
Each JA student company earns its place in the regional final through a series of JA Company Program competitions at local and national levels. Companies are evaluated by a panel of judges who make their selection based on the on-stage pitch, trade fair presentation, personal board-room interviews, and results driven by the student entrepreneurs.
In addition to the opening ceremony on Day 1, students heard from a panel of speakers from around the JA network, including JA Worldwide CEO Asheesh Advani, JA Africa CEO Simi Nwogugu, JA Ghana Executive Director Abeiku Greene, JA Rwanda Steering Committee Chairman Emery Rubagenga, and JA Nigeria student Bello Fauzyhat Onoopemipo, as well as PMIEF Grant Specialist Tim Swain and FedEx Express Regional Sales Manager Ruth Kaboco.
On Day 2, JA students attended a round of seminars from Delta Air Lines, FedEx, Project Management Institute Education Foundation (PMIEF), and Johnson & Johnson, all of which sponsor signature awards for the event. Day 2 also included the on-stage presentations and trade fair.
On Day 3, students participated in board interviews with the judges and were able to relax a bit before the grand finale, the awards gala, on Friday night.
Meet the Teams
Côte d’Ivoire: N’ZRAAMA from Sainte Marie de Cocody High School developed an app that empowers Ivorian adolescents and young people to live healthy and promote their mental well-being.
Eswatini: Robird Technologies from Vulamasango High School robotic birds that detect home intrusions, revolutionizing how people can protect their homes.
Ghana: AID Electronics Company from Adonten Senior High School produces Portable Electronic Lunch Bags (PELB) that can warm food on the go.
Mauritius: Exprime Co. from Ebène State Secondary School (Boys) aims to build an inclusive society through Mauritian Sign Language (MSL). They sell hoodies to help the Mauritian community learn MSL and pass it from generation to generation.
Nigeria: Sustainable Future Advocates from Kosofe Secondary School, Lagos, are champions of achieving zero waste, promoting environmental sustainability, and educating people on sustainable practices for a greener tomorrow.
Rwanda: Wizzards of Tech from Green Hills Academy develop products that reduce water wastage on farms, contributing to a sustainable future.
South Africa: Unwind from Fairmount High School produces dynamic cable protectors using PLA filament for durability and affordability.
Uganda: Big Minds from St. Henry's College Kitovu provides online mental health services with timely access to therapists and counselors, thereby breaking barriers to mental healthcare.
Zambia: Dambo Dynamics from Dambo Combined School, built a digital platform called SkillGrit to revolutionize the landscape of skill acquisition and task offerings for local artisans.
Zimbabwe: Mobile Intelligence Tech from Ndarama High School is a software engineering social enterprise established to solve emerging global challenges through cutting-edge technology.
Awards
The Delta Air Lines Social Impact Award honors the team with the best Corporate Social Responsibility and impact.
Winner: Sustainable Future Advocates, JA Nigeria
The Johnson & Johnson Innovation Award recognizes the student company that has incorporated innovative science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) strategies and practices to create positive community impact.
Winner: Wizzards of Tech, JA Company Program Rwanda
The FedEx Global Possibilities Award recognizes a student-run business that best exhibits the principles of global connectivity: Driven by Innovation, Connecting to New Markets, Fueling Community Development, and Sustainable and Social Responsibility. FedEx sponsors regional student events in all six JA regions and has since 2007.
Winner: Mobile Intelligence Technologies, Zimbabwe
Citi Client Focus Award: AID Electronics Company, JA Ghana
PMIEF Best Application of Project Management Award: Mobile Intelligence Technologies, Zimbabwe
Nascon Allied Industries Award for Entrepreneurial Excellence: Exprime Co., JA Mascareignes (Mauritius)
MTN Future Tech Award: Robird Technologies, JA Eswatini
Public Choice Award: Sustainable Future Advocates, JA Nigeria
Company of the Year Awards
Second place: Unwind, JA South Africa
First Place, JA Africa Company of the Year: AID Electronics Company, JA Ghana
Congratulations to all student participants!
What’s next?
As JA Africa Company of the Year, AID Electronics Company will join JA Americas Company the Year Manik, JA Europe Company of the Year Isometricks, Junior Achievement USA champion Youthful Thinkers, JA Asia Pacific Company of the Year SIEVASCO, and the top student companies from INJAZ Al-Arab JA MENA to compete for the De La Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award in early 2024.