An innovator presents a solar-powered solution designed to tackle South Africa’s ongoing energy crisis during the Youth Innovation Challenge at the University of Limpopo. Photos: Frans Nkhapele
By Caroline Khoza – ulpublications@ul.ac.za
University and college students, recent graduates, and aspiring entrepreneurs aged 18 to 35 were empowered at the University of Limpopo (UL), where they gained tools, mentorship, and strategic exposure to turn their business ideas into impactful ventures
This empowerment occurred during the Youth Innovation Challenge & Absa Youth Entrepreneurship Tour Financial Inclusion Symposium, a two-day event at the University.
The symposium provided a dynamic platform for emerging innovators to showcase their technology-driven, sustainable solutions inspired by Afrocentric values. It was part of the Young African Entrepreneurs Innovation (YAEI) programme and the Absa Youth Entrepreneurship Tour, both aimed at addressing Africa’s most pressing development challenges through youth-led innovation.
Winners of the Limpopo Youth Innovation Challenge 2025 celebrate their success and prepare to compete nationally for the ultimate prize.
About 35 participants pitched their ideas individually or in teams across various sectors, including sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, digital technology, and environmental innovation. A panel of judges evaluated each concept based on originality, feasibility, and potential for long-term impact.
From a competitive pool of 35 participants, ten finalists emerged and will advance to the national finals in Gauteng, where they will compete against over 300 other innovators. The ultimate winner will receive business sponsorship and mentorship to further develop and scale their idea.
Professor Tebogo Mothiba, Acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Research, Innovation and Partnerships at UL, praised the initiative and reaffirmed the university’s commitment to nurturing youth innovation.
“We are not merely participating in a movement; we are uniting one—a movement that empowers our youth to become the innovators of the future,” she stated. “The only difference between those who build legacies and those who don’t lies in the decisions made at every step.”
Lebogang Monama, Area Segment Manager for Small, Medium, and Micro Enterprises at Absa, echoed this sentiment, emphasising the importance of youth entrepreneurship.
“Step into your potential as entrepreneurs, innovators, and change agents,” he urged. “It’s a privilege to share this space with these visionaries—not just as an Absa representative, but as someone deeply invested in what this moment signifies.”
Among the standout finalists was Phuseletso Mohlafuno, a Master’s student in Water and Sanitation at UL, whose business, HydroHope, aims to improve water efficiency in agriculture through hydrogels. “What’s great about this innovation is that once applied, farmers no longer need to irrigate daily—watering once a week can suffice for up to three months,” she explained.
She commended the initiative for addressing youth unemployment and promoting entrepreneurial thinking. “The Absa initiative is essential—not only does it make young people aware of opportunities in the business space, but it also gives them a platform to actively shape that space,” she said.
Proudly showcasing their unique Moringa products
The event was made possible through the support of key partners, including Absa South Africa, the Activist Education Development Centre, the National Development Agency, and the Limpopo Department of Economic Development.
Through this forward-thinking initiative, UL continues to position itself as a hub for innovation, transformation, and sustainable development, placing young Africans at the forefront of shaping the continent’s future.