Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges in Africa prepare students to enter the workforce in high-demand, skilled jobs. However, some students dream not only of being employed, but of starting their own businesses and using their training to research and develop new technologies that meet needs in their communities. These entrepreneurial pathways require additional skills, including the ability to communicate the founder’s vision and persuade partners, investors, and customers to support their business. Aspiring entrepreneurs can hone these skills in pitch competitions, such as the StartUpAfrica Innovation Olympiad, where students receive mentoring and the opportunity to compete for cash prizes.

In September 2023, I had the opportunity to hear and engage with students from across Sub-Saharan Africa, including Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Zimbabwe, as they presented their innovative business ideas. As a judge, it was challenging to select a winner, as all the participants demonstrated winning attributes, including creativity, commitment, and excitement for their ideas. Students presented about different domains, including agro-processing, animal husbandry, communications, and electronics. Students were given 5 minutes to pitch their ideas to a panel, and then the judges could ask questions. Most judges questioned the teams to ensure students understood their business model, including what value the business would provide and to whom, and how this value could be used to generate revenue. I loved how the TVET students expressed their public speaking skills while pitching their ideas. One example of a business idea presented was a team from Kenya Keprel’s farm who are using a locally made plastic basin with a small solar panel as an egg incubator.