Oritsegbubemi Omatseyin
Lagos — Three innovative Nigerian entrepreneurs have been awarded N24 million in the 2024 TotalEnergies Startupper of the Year Challenge.
Temitope Yakubu in the Innov’Up category was awarded for best entrepreneur with Interkool By Farmci. FarmCI’s InterKool Storage Pod is a portable, solar-powered solution for preserving and transporting farm produce, extending shelf life and reducing disease risk for small-scale farmers and retailers.
Jacob Abiodun in the Cycle’Up category was awarded for best circular economy project with Coconoto, transforming the coconut value chain for a greener, more sustainable future.
Also Emmanuel Abah in the Power’Up category was awarded for best sustainable and affordable project with Waste 2 Light Ltd. Waste2light Wind and Hydro Turbine is a pioneering initiative to produce electricity from wind and hydro sources, by converting plastic waste into 3D printed wind and hydro components. Waste 2 Light is championing to power Nigeria with clean electricity.
The three local winners of the Startupper of the Year Challenge each received N8 million to support their ventures.
Selected from over 1,500 applicants, they participated in a week-long boot camp to refine their business ideas. The local winners of this special edition organised on the occasion of the Company’s centenary were honoured during an official prize-giving ceremony that took place at Eko Hotel in Lagos.
Country Chair and Managing Director, TotalEnergies EP Nigeria Limited, Matthieu Bouyer, highlighted the significance of the programme in his remarks. “TotalEnergies has always been active in promoting entrepreneurship that not only has a link to our businesses but to the local socio-economic environment. This is our contribution to the communities that are working for us and Nigeria is a key country for TotalEnergies,” he stated, emphasising Nigeria’s importance to the company.
TotalEnergies emphasizes its commitment to fostering entrepreneurship and sustainable development in Nigeria, aligning with its centenary celebrations and the Sustainable Development Goals.
