The Global Cleantech Innovation Programme Nigeria has honoured outstanding startups advancing the country’s green economy and energy transition at its 2025 National Forum and Award Ceremony, held at the Providence Hotel, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos.
Allgreen Ivy Limited, a female-led cleantech enterprise that produces biodegradable sanitary pads from agricultural waste, emerged as the national winner, receiving a total of $15,000 in prize money: $10,000 as the overall winner and an additional $5,000 as the Best Female-Led Startup.
One Grid Energies clinched the First Runner-Up and Best Climate Mitigation Startup awards, earning a combined $12,500, while Rekool Access Technology took the Second Runner-Up position with $5,000.
Head of the Startup Support Division at Co-Creation Hub Africa, Akinwande Akinsulire, explained that the programme is a United Nations Industrial Development Organisation-backed initiative funded by the Global Environment Facility and implemented in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, the Rural Electrification Agency, and CcHUB.
“Over the last three years, we have supported 25 entrepreneurs annually,” Akinsulire said. “After a year-long acceleration programme, we hold this national competition to recognise and reward the most outstanding startups. Today, we are not only celebrating the winners but also the ecosystem of partners from government agencies to private sector collaborators who have worked with us to grow the cleantech sector in Nigeria.”
He added that GCIP Nigeria seeks to expand the cleantech sector through technical training, mentorship, and business model refinement, noting that the 2025 edition received nearly 300 applications, of which 25 startups were selected for a one-year acceleration programme.
Project Manager of GCIP Nigeria at the Rural Electrification Agency, Amin Lukeman, described the initiative as an all-encompassing approach to advancing Nigeria’s clean energy transition.
“The world is moving towards net-zero emissions, and cleantech is the future,” he said. “Our role at REA is to design financial mechanisms that help these enterprises scale up their technologies. We want to replace generators and other carbon-emitting systems with cleaner, sustainable alternatives.”
Lukeman added that the programme continues to attract interest from development partners and government agencies keen on supporting cleantech innovations across energy, transport, and manufacturing sectors.
National Programme Officer at UNIDO Nigeria, Dr Reuben Bamidele, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to promoting inclusive and sustainable industrial development.
“UNIDO operates in 173 countries, and our mission in Nigeria is to enhance the capacity of small and medium enterprises working in renewable and sustainable energy,” he said.
“Our work supports startups, strengthens policy frameworks, and promotes coordination across the cleantech ecosystem.”
Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Innovation, Science and Technology, Mrs N.A. Esuabana, described the GCIP as a milestone in Nigeria’s journey toward a sustainable, technology-driven future.
“The success of GCIP Nigeria is a testament to the power of partnership,” she said. “We appreciate UNIDO, GEF, REA, and CcHUB for their roles in making this programme possible. The ministry remains committed to creating policies that support clean technologies and empower women innovators.”
Chief Executive Officer of Allgreen Ivy Limited, Mrs Lydia Ekpong Thompson, said the funding would help the company automate production and reduce costs.
“We currently produce about 250 sanitary pads daily, but with automation, we can increase to at least 3,500 pads per day with the same labour,” she said.
Thompson noted that Allgreen Ivy’s biodegradable sanitary pads, made from banana fibre and other agricultural by-products, are designed to promote women’s health while protecting the environment.
