By GIDEON NYENDWA
WASTEMAT Zambia Limited a company that makes reusable sanitary pads has won K750, 000 in the Zanaco green innovation challenge.
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Zanaco green innovation challenge is an innovation that was powered by Water for Water (WfW) where Zambian business is designed to support sustainability focus on boosting their innovative solutions that resolve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) number three, six , 12 and responsible consumption and production, and SDG 13 Climate Action.
The challenge was launched in August 4, 2023 and from over 80 applicants, the top 10 finalists joined in the second stage the Zanaco green innovation challenge boot camp.
On Monday, they had a final pitch day saw the culmination of learning received during the boot camp, with the top five finalists presenting their final pitches to a team of judges.
The final pitch day saw Mwinji Nakamba of Wastemat Zambia Limited walk away with the first prize which was K750, 000, Joseph Mwansa of Global Empowers, a company providing clean water solutions scooped the second prize and walked away with K500, 000 and Andrew Mphashi of Twalima Agro scooped the third prize of K250, 000.
And Zanaco Chief Executive Officer, Mukwandi Chibesakunda, in a speech read for her by Zanaco Chief Credit Risk Officer, Kalengo Simukoko, said the innovation is not just about coming up with new ideas, it’s also about taking the ideas and turning them into reality which the winners of the challenged did.
“You have shown that you have the creativity, drive, and determination to make things happen. You have taken time off, pushed boundaries, and challenged the status quo. You have shown that you are not afraid to fail, and that is what sets you apart from others,” she said.
Ms. Chibesakunda said the ideas have the potential to change the world, they can make a difference in people’s lives, improve the environment, and create new opportunities for growth and development.
Meanwhile WfW manager, service partnerships and innovation, Sekayi Fundafunda, said the Zanaco challenge aligns seamlessly with the company’s overarching goal of advocating for global transition to sustainable water resource use.
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