African innovation took centre stage this week as four entrepreneurs from Orange Corners, a Dutch initiative supporting youth entrepreneurship across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, emerged among the top winners during the One Young World pre-programme pitching competition in Amsterdam.
Out of nine cheques awarded, four went to Orange Corners alumni in a closely contested field of emerging global innovators. The winners included Khiusha Uaila and Aurélio Costa from Mozambique, Sokayna Bellam from Morocco and Michael Akinsete from Nigeria, marking a powerful statement on Africa’s growing footprint in the global entrepreneurship ecosystem.
“Day 2 of our One Young World pre-programme with The Next Lab in Amsterdam was all about pitching! After a very intense pitch practice session came the real competition, and while everyone gave it their all, only 9 cheques were up for grabs,” Orange Corners announced.
“We’re incredibly proud to share that 4 of those 9 winners are Orange Corners alumni, claiming the top three spots!”
Khiusha Uaila is the founder of Xi Bassile, a Mozambican social enterprise pioneering an innovative nature-based solution for Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS). Her start-up develops adapted bioswales that recycle PET bottles and construction waste to manage stormwater, while also addressing urban waste challenges.
“What an incredible experience at the #EnterprisingFutures One Young World Pre-Summit!” said Uaila. “I’m so grateful for the learning, inspiring connections and generous feedback shared throughout the event. A special highlight was participating in the Pitch for Impact competition: I’m truly honoured that Xi Bassile was selected for funding to support our operations and advance our R&D in nature-based urban drainage solutions. This support means so much for our mission to make cities more resilient, sustainable and inclusive.”
Fellow Mozambican Aurélio Costa is the founder of Algumassa Energia, an enterprise that provides sustainable energy solutions designed to transform communities and accelerate a just energy transition in Mozambique. Algumassa Energia offers solar photovoltaic systems for homes and businesses, biogas systems from organic waste and clean cooking technologies that reduce reliance on firewood and charcoal improving health outcomes and protecting the environment.
From North Africa, Sokayna Bellam, Co-Founder of Jodoor, represented Morocco’s growing agritech and sustainability ecosystem. An Agronomy Engineer by training, Bellam’s company specialises in hydroponics and aquaponics, enabling farmers to cultivate crops using less water and space a critical innovation in regions affected by climate change and resource scarcity.
Nigeria’s Michael Akinsete, Co-Founder and Chief Marketing Officer at Ecotutu, completed the quartet of African winners. Ecotutu, a cleantech company, is revolutionising the agricultural and health value chains by providing affordable, solar-powered cold storage solutions. The innovation aims to reduce post-harvest losses, ensure the preservation of medicines and perishable goods, and expand access to reliable cold-chain infrastructure across Africa.
While not part of the Orange Corners alumni network, Dimma Muhammed Mawejje, Founder of Mawejje Creations in Uganda, also made headlines with his announcement that he will attend the One Young World Summit 2025 in Munich as a recipient of the Enterprising Futures Scholarship, supported by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Dutch Enterprise Agency (RVO).
Mawejje’s enterprise exemplifies circular innovation and sustainable fashion. Through Mawejje Creations, he transforms banana and textile waste into eco-friendly materials such as Commune Fabrics, creating jobs for youth and farmers while driving local economic empowerment. His mission extends beyond craftsmanship, it’s about redefining sustainability in Africa’s creative industries.
“I’m incredibly humbled and excited to be joining 2,000+ young leaders from 190+ countries to drive conversations on the circular economy,” Mawejje said. “This opportunity means advancing the transformative power of sustainable materials and building partnerships to scale our impact globally.”
At the Summit, Mawejje plans to advocate for the inclusion of natural fibres like banana fibre in Europe’s sustainable fashion markets, reinforcing the growing role of African innovation in shaping global sustainability conversations.
The competition, hosted in partnership with The Next Lab, followed a rigorous pitch practice session that tested participants’ creativity, resilience, and scalability of their ideas. The event served as a precursor to the One Young World Summit, the world’s largest gathering of young leaders, which will take place in Munich from November 3–6, 2025.
Orange Corners, an initiative of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, has been instrumental in fostering youth-led innovation by creating spaces, or “corners,” across Africa, where aspiring entrepreneurs receive training, mentorship and access to business networks. The programme operates in collaboration with a diverse ecosystem of partners, including government agencies, knowledge institutions, corporates and service providers, collectively working to build sustainable pathways for employment and economic growth.
In recent years, Orange Corners’ alumni have become emblematic of Africa’s entrepreneurial shift from small-scale community ventures to globally scalable enterprises. Their success in Amsterdam underscores a growing confidence in African business talent and the continent’s readiness to compete at a world-class level.
The One Young World Summit, renowned for connecting over 2,000 young leaders from 190+ countries, will tackle key global challenges under themes such as the Circular Economy, Responsible Technology, Peace and Security, Education, and Anti-Hate. Guided by world figures like Jane Goodall, Maria Ressa, Cher, and Justin Trudeau, participants will engage in high-level dialogues aimed at driving ESG-centred impact across sectors.
For African entrepreneurs, participation in such global platforms represents more than visibility, it signifies access. The Summit offers unparalleled networking opportunities, exposure to investors and policymakers and mentorship that transforms local ambition into global action.
By aligning with One Young World, Orange Corners continues to amplify African voices in conversations shaping the future of innovation and sustainability. Its approach goes beyond training, it builds ecosystems. From the streets of Maputo to the innovation hubs of Lagos and Casablanca, Orange Corners’ impact can be traced in the stories of startups that are not just surviving but redefining what it means to do business from Africa to the world.
