Organisers of the Girls Accelerating Sustainable Action (GASA) competition for young African women, popularly known as ‘I AM GASA’, have announced the winners of the contest.

The facilitating organisations — STEMi Makers of Africa and ThriveBold Consulting — while announcing the winners, noted that the competition aimed to celebrate African women who champion the ideals of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The competition, which was recently held virtually, was designed to spotlight and empower young women leading transformative projects across Africa.

Hosted by Ruth Chigbo, founder of ThriveBold Consulting, and Amanda Obidike, founder and executive director of STEMi Makers of Africa, I AM GASA is a youth-driven platform that empowers young women aged 15–32 to showcase their solutions for environmental sustainability, community development, and gender equality — all aligned with the SDGs.

The hosts added that the initiative provides participants with mentorship, visibility, and funding to scale their work and impact.

According to the partners, with over 355 applications, more than 160 attendees, and representation from all regions of Africa, “the 2025 edition confirmed that African girls are not just talking sustainability — they are building it.”.

This year’s edition of the competition received entries in the form of two-minute video pitches, where participants presented real-world, scalable SDG-aligned solutions addressing some of Africa’s most pressing challenges.

Projects ranged from circular economy start-ups and solar-powered sanitation systems to community health campaigns and agro-tech innovations.

Ruth Chigbo, co-host of the contest, while commending the winners for their feats, stated that I AM GASA was born from a belief that young African women are not waiting to be empowered, that rather, they are already leading.

“This competition is not just about awarding ideas, it is also about celebrating action and amplifying the voices of those driving change where it is needed most,” Chigbo said.

Amanda Obidike, who co-led the programme’s implementation, emphasised the importance of investing in Africa’s next generation of sustainability leaders.

“Through platforms like GASA, we nurture women who transform their communities through data, innovation, and leadership,” Obidike added.

15 finalists were invited to pitch live to a panel of judges comprising sustainability experts, entrepreneurs, and development professionals. After thorough deliberation and public engagement, four winners were selected and awarded over $1,000 in total cash prizes, along with mentorship and publication opportunities.

Mercy Iyangbe Eloebhose of Livestock Waste Initiative came first, winning $400, a one-on-one mentorship, and publication features for her innovative project of converting livestock waste into valuable resources.

“I am thrilled to be recognised for my work in sustainability. This award will help me scale my project and make a greater impact,” Eloebhose said.

Edesiri Ovuodeyoren of Nature Treasure Initiative came second, winning $300 and a one-on-one mentorship for her environmental sustainability project of redefining food feeding as climate action.

“I am honoured to be part of this community that is driving change. This recognition will motivate me to continue pushing boundaries,” Ovuodeyore stated.

Oluwadamipe Princes Adedeji of Echo Waste Collection came third, winning $200 and a one-on-one mentorship for her waste collection project.

“This award is a testament to the power of young people who are driving change. I am grateful for the opportunity to amplify my work,” Adedeji added.

Favour Jegbefumhen of Plastic Recycle UNIBEN came fourth, winning $100 and a recognition certificate for her project aimed at reducing plastic waste at the University of Benin.

“I am proud to be part of the solution to plastic pollution. This recognition encourages me to continue innovating,” Jegbefumhen said.

The organisers noted that all the participants of the competition received certificates of participation and access to exclusive networking sessions with sustainability leaders.

The organisers further noted that, beyond the competition, the I AM GASA movement is growing into a full-fledged ecosystem. They added that plans are underway to launch a network of African mentors and professional circles supporting young women in sustainability.

According to Chigbo, as part of this expansion, they are set to release a digital illustrated book titled: ‘Beyond Me: I Thought… The Story of a Girl Who Lost Everything and Found Strength in a Greener Tomorrow.’

The ThriveBold Consulting boss said that the book “tells the emotional story of a young girl navigating climate displacement, loss, and hope. Aimed at young African girls, the book blends storytelling with environmental education and empowerment.”
She added that the book is expected to be launched later in 2025 as an educational and inspirational tool for schools, youth centres, and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

“This book is for every girl who has struggled, adapted, and found strength in a greener tomorrow. It is a reminder that sustainability is not just a goal — it is personal, powerful, and starts with us,” Chigbo concluded.