CAPE TOWN, South Africa (UGNEWSLINE) – High school students from Angola, Mozambique, Namibia and Nigeria have showcased innovative science and technology projects at the finals of the 2026 ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa Challenge during African Energy Week 2026 in Cape Town.
The finals, held on Monday, brought together 16 finalists who presented their science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)-based projects and prototypes to a panel of judges.
The finalists were selected from an initial pool of approximately 10,000 African high school students who competed through online STEM quizzes, in-person zonal competitions and National STEM Innovation Camps. The competitions challenged students to think creatively and develop solutions to real-world problems facing communities across the continent.
Since 2000, ExxonMobil and the ExxonMobil Foundation have collectively invested $1.6 billion in education in areas where the company operates around the world. The investment supports STEM education and helps develop the next generation of engineers and scientists.
Speaking at the event, ExxonMobil Foundation President Alvin Abraham emphasised the importance of partnerships in advancing STEM education across Africa.
“We cannot do this work without really strong implementing partners in each of our countries,” Abraham said, thanking the partners for their commitment to expanding STEM education in their respective countries, as well as ExxonMobil employees and volunteers who supported the students in developing their projects.
Innovative solutions to African challenges
The finalists presented solutions addressing some of the continent’s pressing challenges, including food security, electricity access, plastic waste and water scarcity.
Team Ixietu from Angola developed an artificial intelligence-powered soil analysis system designed to help farmers assess soil fertility and improve agricultural productivity.
The innovation uses a sampling stake inserted into the soil to collect data, which is then processed through an AI-powered application. The application generates customised technical recommendations for correcting soil deficiencies and improving soil quality.
The project seeks to address low soil fertility and limited access to soil analysis services while promoting precision agriculture, increasing agricultural productivity and strengthening food security.
From Nigeria, Team Nexora Nexus presented its Solar Hydro Smart Grid, a renewable energy solution designed to provide reliable, uninterrupted and affordable electricity to underserved communities.
The system combines solar power, water storage and battery storage to ensure electricity availability. A solar-powered pump moves water from a lower storage tank to an elevated tank, storing energy in the form of pumped water.
When electricity is needed, water is released from the elevated tank and flows through a turbine that drives a generator to produce power. The system also integrates artificial intelligence and a smart meter to detect when grid electricity goes off and when backup power is required.
The innovation aims to provide cleaner and more reliable electricity while reducing expenditure on fuel.
Team Mentes Brilhantes from Mozambique presented its Eco Carteiras project, which seeks to promote a circular economy by addressing the country’s high volume of uncollected plastic waste and shortage of school furniture.
The project proposes manufacturing environmentally friendly school desks and chairs using collected high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene plastic waste mixed with discarded sawdust.
The resulting furniture is designed to resist water and termites. The team selected the two types of plastic because they do not release toxic gases when heated, while using discarded sawdust reduces the need for additional wood.
The project aims to turn waste materials into useful school furniture while helping address environmental pollution and the shortage of classroom equipment.
Meanwhile, Team AquaVolt from Namibia presented a water-harvesting and purification technology designed to address water scarcity in communities affected by the country’s contrasting experiences of floods and drought.
The AquaVolt system seeks to harvest floodwater during the rainy season and preserve it for use during dry periods.
The process begins with the collection of floodwater through gravity-fed channels, followed by primary treatment before the water is stored in smart tanks equipped with sensors and a monitoring system.
Where necessary, the water undergoes secondary treatment to meet required quality standards before being distributed through communal water taps during the dry season.
The innovation aims to improve access to water in communities facing shortages by making better use of water collected during periods of heavy rainfall.
The four projects demonstrate how young African innovators are applying STEM knowledge to develop practical solutions to challenges affecting their communities.
The overall winner of the 2026 ExxonMobil Foundation STEM Africa Challenge will be announced at the African Energy Week Gala Dinner on October 13, 2026.
