Youth Rapid-Fire Solutions — Scaling African Innovations for Energy Access, Productive Use and Clean Cooking

Four young Beninese innovators (under 30) each present a 3-minute pitch on an energy-access or clean-cooking solution. A panel of experts and the audience assess the pitches, with the winning innovator announced during the Closing Ceremony. The session also generates practical recommendations on the policy, financing, and partnership ecosystem needed to scale youth-led energy innovations across Africa. Hosted by the City of Cotonou.

Moderated by Mrs. Qetsia Houessou (ACED), with a keynote by Mr. Samaila Zubairu (President & CEO, Africa Finance Corporation) and an innovation jury including Mr. Sèdami Gatien Adjagboni (Deputy Mayor, City of Cotonou), Mr. Dine Mahma Saliou (Ministry of Energy, Water and Mines, Benin) and Mrs. Meseret Desta (AFLEX).

Objective: demonstrate that African youth are developing market-ready solutions for energy access, productive use, and clean cooking, while identifying the policy, financing, and ecosystem support needed to scale them. Expected outcomes: a Youth Innovation Action Note with five priority recommendations; high-potential youth-led innovations identified for follow-on investor and partner support; the winning innovation recognized via the People's Choice Innovation Award.