NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / March 25, 2026 / The landscape of African innovation was dramatically showcased in December during the Junior Achievement (JA) Africa’sCompany of the Year (COY) competition held in Abuja, Nigeria. This anticipated event highlighted the creative prowess of students across the continent, culminating in the prestigious presentation of the FedEx Global Possibilities Award. This award targeted youth-led enterprises aiming for real-world impact through innovative ideas.
This year’s FedEx Global Possibilities Award was proudly awarded to Xero Labs, an enterprising student group whose innovative solution addresses one of the most pressing global challenges: climate change. Aligned with the competition theme, “ACT! Action for Climate Transformation,” Xero Labs exemplified how innovation, sustainability, and impact can merge to catalyze meaningful change.
The inception of Xero Labs stemmed from a groundbreaking query: Can air pollution be transformed into a valuable product? Their response was a revolutionary device designed to capture harmful soot emitted from vehicle exhausts, converting it into reusable materials such as ink. This concept not only started out small but has the potential to evolve into a scalable solution enhancing air quality while generating economic benefits locally and beyond.
The COY is the foremost youth business pitch competition in Africa, uniting innovative high school entrepreneurs from eight different countries. The FedEx Global Possibilities Award, judged by FedEx representatives, acknowledges student-led enterprises that embrace global connectivity through essential pillars such as innovation, access to new markets, sustainability, and community impact.
Nelson Teixeira, Managing Director of Operations for Sub-Saharan Africa, stated, “Supporting the next generation of African innovators is central to how we see the future of trade and economic growth on the continent. The winners demonstrated a clear passion for creating solutions that can thrive and connect on a global scale.”
For the Xero Labs team, this recognition serves as both validation and motivation. “What started as a small idea targeting air pollution has expanded into a project with significant purpose and potential,” they expressed. “Receiving acknowledgment on a global platform has bolstered our confidence, highlighting that young people can deliver substantial solutions to worldwide issues.”
JA Africa echoes this sentiment, with President and CEO Simi Nwogugu sharing, “Africa’s most vital resource is its youth’s creativity and brilliance. Climate action should be recognized not merely as an environmental concern but as a crucial developmental necessity.”
FedEx has a longstanding partnership with Junior Achievement Worldwide, spanning over 45 years, dedicated to empowering young individuals shaping the future of trade, innovation, and sustainable growth. Through initiatives like the FedEx Global Possibilities Award, the company aims to connect people, ideas, and opportunities, helping to turn possibilities into tangible progress.
To discover more about FedEx Cares, their comprehensive global community engagement initiative, click here.
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SOURCE: FedEx
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