Schneider Electric, in partnership with Enactus, is reflecting on two years of successful collaboration across Sub-Saharan Africa, advancing youth entrepreneurship, sustainable energy innovation, and measurable community impact.
From 2024-25, the partnership engaged more than 32,000 students across South Africa, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, equipping young leaders with the skills, mentorship, and funding to design and scale practical solutions addressing Africa’s energy and sustainability challenges.
The collaboration spans three core initiatives:
- The Enactus Core Programme (funded by the Schneider Electric Foundation), including National Expositions in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, with national winners progressing to the Enactus World Championship.
- The Energy Transition Battery Innovation Challenge (funded by the Schneider Electric Foundation), delivered in Zimbabwe, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa.
- A Mentorship Programme in Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, connecting Enactus students with Schneider Electric technical and business experts.
Together, these initiatives bridged academia and industry, turning student ideas into commercially viable, socially impactful enterprises.
“Our collaboration with Enactus demonstrated the power of youth-driven innovation to deliver real, scalable impact, with a pipeline of future leaders shaping Africa’s sustainable energy landscape.” says Elihle Obi, Global Marketing Director, Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric
“Enactus students continue to prove what’s possible when purpose meets opportunity. Our partnership with Schneider Electric demonstrated how industry and education can work together to unlock lasting impact,” says Letitia de Wet, CEO of Enactus South Africa.
From concept to commercial reality
The success of the Schneider Electric and Enactus’ partnership is reflected in the continued growth of its 2024 Battery Innovation winning teams:
- Zimbabwe: Bindura University of Science Education’s project evolved from CaLIX into VoltStep, a micro-battery solution harvesting kinetic energy through piezoelectric technology. Within one year, VoltStep sold over 8,000 pairs of energy-generating shoes, generated USD 104,910 in revenue, delivered lighting access to 892 rural students, and reduced household lighting costs by up to 65%. The team also secured second place at the 2025 Enactus World Cup.
- Kenya: Afterlife, the national winning team, repurposes and recycles end-of-life batteries for second-life energy applications. The venture is now a registered company, has received international design recognition, and is contributing to national dialogue on circular economy innovation.
- Nigeria: Originally launched as Repo, the solution has since scaled into Ecovolt, a clean energy system built from recycled e-waste. Ecovolt has created 20 youth jobs, sold 40 units, and currently has 55 additional units on order, supporting households and small businesses.
- South Africa: Airnergy & Tech Solutions, a third-place winner, has successfully commercialised ElectroBoost300, a 300W portable lithium-based power station now available on Takealot, expanding reliable energy access for homes, students, and small enterprises.
