The Africa Energy Technology Centre (AETC) has taken another significant step towards translating youth innovation into tangible career pathways through a courtesy visit to Pecan Energies. The engagement was convened to facilitate internship arrangements for beneficiaries of the AETC NextGen Innovation Pitch Challenge, a flagship competition held during the Africa Energy Technology Conference (AETC) 2026 under the Centre’s Youth Energy Entrepreneurship and Incubation Programme (YEEIP).
The AETC NextGen Innovation Pitch Challenge provides a platform for young innovators across the continent to showcase transformative solutions to pressing energy, climate and sustainable development challenges. Beyond recognising innovative ideas, the initiative is designed to create meaningful opportunities for young innovators by connecting them with leading industry partners who provide mentorship, practical experience and professional development to support their growth.
Welcoming the AETC delegation, the Pecan Energies team, led by Ms. Nicole Manu, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to supporting the initiative through structured internship opportunities that provide meaningful industry exposure while strengthening the technical and professional capabilities of participants. The engagement underscored the shared commitment of both organisations to investing in Africa’s emerging talent and equipping young innovators with the practical experience required to thrive within the continent’s evolving energy sector.
The visit also provided an opportunity for beneficiaries of the AETC NextGen Innovation Pitch Challenge to present their award-winning innovations.
Casper Songwae Gyaang, Winner of the AETC NextGen Innovation Pitch Challenge, presented FloodSense Ghana, an Artificial Intelligence-powered flood prediction and community early warning system designed to strengthen disaster preparedness and climate resilience in vulnerable communities. Ines Noella Twishime, Second Runner-Up, also showcased KilimoChills Solution, a solar-powered pay-per-use cold storage system developed to reduce post-harvest losses among informal market vendors. Their presentations reflected the ingenuity, creativity and practical solutions emerging from Africa’s next generation of innovators while highlighting the transformative role innovation can play in addressing the continent’s development challenges.
Speaking during the engagement, Founder and President of the Africa Energy Technology Centre, Ms. Emelia Akumah, expressed appreciation to Pecan Energies for partnering with the Centre to nurture Africa’s next generation of innovators. She noted that strategic partnerships between industry and innovation platforms are essential to translating the creativity and technical ingenuity demonstrated by young innovators into tangible career pathways and sustainable enterprises.
She further emphasised that the NextGen Innovation Pitch Challenge, as a flagship component of YEEIP, was established not only to celebrate innovative ideas but also to provide young entrepreneurs with access to mentorship, industry networks and practical opportunities that enable them to refine their innovations and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s sustainable energy future.
The partnership between the Africa Energy Technology Centre and Pecan Energies reflects a shared commitment to advancing youth development through collaboration, innovation and capacity building. By connecting emerging innovators with industry leaders, both organisations are helping to cultivate the next generation of entrepreneurs and professionals who will contribute to advancing Africa’s energy transition and sustainable development agenda.
As the Africa Energy Technology Centre continues to expand its network of strategic partnerships, initiatives such as the NextGen Innovation Pitch Challenge reaffirm its commitment to creating opportunities that extend beyond the Conference itself. Through sustained collaboration with governments, academia, development partners and the private sector, the Centre remains dedicated to building an ecosystem where innovation is nurtured, talent is developed and young Africans are empowered to shape the future of Africa’s energy landscape.
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