Three Nigerian institutions have emerged winners in the Schneider Electric Foundation’s Africa’s brightest battery innovators 2025 Energy Transition Battery Innovation Challenge.
They are Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University , Ahmadu Bello University, and the Kaduna Polytechnic.
” From Nigeria in first place is Joseph Sarwuan Tarka University (Energiv, €2000): Converting plastic waste into carbon nanotubes to enhance lithium-ion batteries; second place – Ahmadu Bello University (Cell Matrix, €1500): Machine learning-based smart battery management system to prevent overheating and extend lifespan; and third place – Kaduna Polytechnic (SmartVolt, €1000): Adaptive charging algorithm extending battery life through intelligent charge control,” said Elihle Obi, Marketing Communications & Corporate Citizenship Director, English-speaking Africa at Schneider Electric
Elihe Obi disclosed that apart from Nigeria, winners from other African countries South Africa- BioWatt from WITS University; and Kenya- Strathmore University with Afye cell; and Zimbabwe- University of Zimbabwe’s LithiumX project.
He said: ” “The Battery Innovation Challenge is proof that with the right support, students in our region can create scalable, sustainable solutions that accelerate today and tomorrow’s energy transition.
“We are proud to form part of this truly life changing initiative.”
He emphasised that the competition organised by Schneider Electric and Enactus, the international NGO dedicated to inspiring students through entrepreneurial action, has this year’s first-place winners exemplify the ingenuity and impact of youth-led innovation across the region.
