Abuja: Nigerias Smartgenix has been awarded the grand prize at the 15th Junior Achievement (JA) Africa Company of the Year (COY) Competition in Abuja, Nigeria.
According to African Press Organization, the event, which took place from December 3-5, 2025, brought together young entrepreneurs from across Africa to present business solutions focused on the theme “ACT! Action for Climate Transformation.” Participants competed in six innovation tracks, including Innovation and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Financial Technology, Digital Media and Creation, Renewable Energy, and Circular Economy and Sustainability.
Smartgenix emerged as the overall Company of the Year 2025, demonstrating strong innovation and execution skills with significant potential impact. Mauritius’ Plantura secured Second Place, while Uganda’s Renewablock captured Third Place, highlighting a focus on sustainability and inclusive development. As the continental champion, Smartgenix will represent Africa at the global finals of the De L
a Vega Global Entrepreneurship Award, vying for a grand prize of USD $15,000.
Additional awards were distributed to other participating teams, with sponsors such as FedEx, PMIEF, FirstBank Nigeria, Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, Kuda Microfinance Bank, Boeing, and Entrepreneurs Organization supporting the event.
Signature award winners included XeroLabs from Ghana, receiving the FedEx Global Possibilities Award, and Kwakhanya PlantIQ from Eswatini, earning the PMIEF Best Application of Project Management Award. Plantura from Mauritius was honored with the FirstBank Nigeria CEO Entrepreneurship Award.
Branded award winners saw Delta Air Lines Girls LEAD! Award going to 16 young women from various countries, the Bank of America Best Financial Performance Award to Uganda’s Renewablock, and the Kuda Young Entrepreneurs Award to Eswatini’s Kwakhanya PlantIQ. Ghana’s XeroLabs also won the Boeing Sustainable Innovation Award, and Ameydee Chocken, CEO of Plantura from Mauritius, was recognized with the Entrepre
neurs Organizations Rising Leader Award.
Reflecting on the event, Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO of JA Africa, emphasized the importance of entrepreneurship education in empowering young Africans to lead climate action and build resilient communities. The competition concluded with the JA Africa Stakeholder Convening on December 5 in Abuja, focusing on strategies to enhance entrepreneurship education and youth employment systems across Africa.
The JA Africa COY is part of the JA Company Program, which provides young people aged 14-17 with practical business experience. The program aims to address youth unemployment by equipping participants to become job creators and innovators within their communities. Alumni have gone on to establish businesses, secure international scholarships, and lead social and technology ventures.
The 15th edition of the JA Africa COY was supported by Headline Sponsors FedEx, PMIEF, and FirstBank Nigeria; Platinum Sponsors Delta Air Lines, Bank of America, and Kuda Microfinance Ba
nk; Gold Sponsors Boeing and Entrepreneurs Organization; and Media Partner What Media Group.