Nigeria to host 15th edition of JA Africa’s COY competition

Junior Achievement (JA) Africa has revealed that the opening of the 15th edition of the JA Africa Company of the Year (COY) Competition, is scheduled to take place from December 3–5, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria. The annual flagship event is Africa’s premier business pitch competition for high school-aged youth (ages 14–17) who have completed the […]

Junior Achievement (JA) Africa has revealed that the opening of the 15th edition of the JA Africa Company of the Year (COY) Competition, is scheduled to take place from December 3–5, 2025, in Abuja, Nigeria.

The annual flagship event is Africa’s premier business pitch competition for high school-aged youth (ages 14–17) who have completed the JA Company Program.

As one of Africa’s largest organizations dedicated to youth economic empowerment, JA Africa reaches over 1.5 million young people annually across 23 countries, equipping them with the skillset and mindset to thrive in the global economy.

COY serves as a platform to showcase the entrepreneurial talent, creativity, and resilience of Africa’s next generation of innovators.

This year’s competition is guided by the theme: “ACT! Action for Climate Transformation.” The theme emphasizes the urgent need to leverage sustainable innovations in tackling the continent’s most pressing climate and development challenges, underscoring JA Africa’s commitment to positioning youth entrepreneurship as a driving force for climate solutions and a sustainable future.

Student companies from Eswatini, Ghana, Mauritius, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Uganda, and Zambia will compete for the chance to represent Africa at the Ralph de la Vega Global Entrepreneurship Competition.

The 2025 edition challenges participants to innovate across six cutting-edge tracks: Innovation & Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Financial Technology (FinTech), Digital Media & Creation, Renewable Energy, and Circular Economy & Sustainability.

“At JA Africa, we believe Africa’s greatest resource is the brilliance and creativity of its young people. Climate action is not just an environmental issue; it’s a development imperative. Across Africa, rising temperatures, food insecurity, and extreme weather threaten livelihoods and economies, but they also present opportunities for innovation and resilience.

COY gives young people a platform to transform ideas into action, showing the world that Africa’s youth are not only the leaders of tomorrow but the changemakers of today. With this year’s theme, Action for Climate Transformation (ACT!), we are proud to see students harnessing sustainable innovation to tackle the defining challenge of our time.

Their ingenuity and passion remind us that when youth are empowered to lead, they don’t just adapt to the future, they create it. And in doing so, they light the path toward a greener, more resilient, and prosperous Africa.”— Simi Nwogugu, President and CEO, JA Africa

“COY in Africa has a unique energy — year after year, students present extraordinary ideas. To succeed as an entrepreneur, you must first believe in yourself. JA builds that self-efficacy, and awards help strengthen that belief.”— Asheesh Advani, President & CEO, JA Worldwide

The competition will culminate with the JA Africa Stakeholder Convening on December 5, 2025, also in Abuja. Themed “Unlocking Africa’s Youth Dividend: Radical Pathways for Inclusive Skills, Entrepreneurship, and Employment Systems,” the high-level convening will bring together policymakers, educators, private sector leaders, philanthropists, and civil society organizations to foster strategic partnerships and advance entrepreneurship education across Africa.

Through the COY and Stakeholder Convening, JA Africa reaffirms its commitment to positioning entrepreneurship education at the heart of Africa’s development agenda.

The 15th edition of the JA Africa COY is made possible through the generous support of: Headline sponsors: FedEx and PMIEF

“Creating amazing products is great, but scaling beyond your immediate environment is where true impact begins. FedEx makes these possibilities real.” — Ruth Kabogo, Regional Sales Manager, FedEx.

“Project management brings out the discipline to solve problems — and that’s exactly what PMIEF’s support seeks to nurture.” — Deji Ishmael,
Member of the board of trustees, PMI Nigeria Chapter