A Nigerian start-up, Salubata Technologies, has been awarded a cash prize of $10,000 (about N4.2 million) after winning the Green Innovation Guru Award category of the Kigali Startup Festival 2022 at the Commonwealth Youth Forum (CYF) in Kigali, Rwanda.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Youth Forum took place ahead of the 26th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) with the theme, ‘Delivering a Common Future: Connecting, Innovating, Transforming’.
Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Salubata Technologies Yewande Adebowale said her company seeks to curb the proliferation of plastic wastes in the environment by transforming them into customised shoes.
‘‘We wanted to do something that impacts on everyday part of our lives. We’ve always seen plastic waste around us and have always looked for ways to help the environment.
“We believe these customizable shoes from Salubata could help stamp out plastic wastes in its entirety,” Adebowale said.
Nigerian High Commissioner to Rwanda Aishatu Musa congratulated the Nigerian youth delegation to CHOGM 2022 for representing the country well and hosted them at the Chancery in Kigali.
Musa also noted that the innovation of Salubata Technologies is one that will address some of the environmental challenges facing the Commonwealth countries.
“It is great to see young people from Nigeria doing great things. Nigeria is blessed with lots of talents and the youth are the country’s pride, so I urge you to be passionate about your dreams and aspirations and continue to push them to make the world a better place,” the Nigerian High Commissioner said.
At least 400 entries were received for the startup awards in four categories – green innovation, inter-trade, agricultural innovation and digital geeks – with one winner emerging for each of the categories.
This year’s forum addressed thematic areas such as governance and the rule of law, technology, skills, innovation, sustainability, health, COVID-19 and trade.
After days of deliberations, the Commonwealth Youth Forum presented a six-point action plan (The Youth Declaration) on youth development.