Kaduna’s Al’amin Idris wins 2025 NextGen Innovation Challenge in London with Interface Africa, earning £1.5m investment for clean energy platform

LONDON/KADUNA — Al’amin Muhammed Idris, CEO of Interface Africa and indigene of Kaduna State, has emerged overall winner of the 2025 NextGen Innovation Challenge in London, defeating over 3,000 participants from across the globe.

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The global competition, jointly organised by the National Board for Technology Incubation and UKALD Management Consultancy, spotlighted breakthrough solutions in clean energy, fintech, agriculture, and social impact.

Al’amin’s innovation — a clean-energy platform connecting solar providers, financiers, and users — earned him the top prize and a £1.5 million investment from UK-based firm Pure Climate Solutions, to help scale operations across Africa.

Through its flagship solutions GreenPay and NasPoints, Interface Africa has already powered thousands of homes and supported small businesses, helping reduce carbon emissions across several African nations.

The win, announced at the competition’s grand finale in London, is a milestone for Kaduna’s growing innovation scene.

Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, hailed Al’amin’s triumph as “a monumental achievement and a source of pride for Kaduna and Nigeria.”

“This victory reaffirms the creative strength and global potential of Kaduna’s youth. From classrooms to global stages, Kaduna’s young people are shaping Africa’s innovation future,” the governor said during a congratulatory address in Kaduna on Wednesday.

Governor Sani underscored his administration’s commitment to innovation-driven development, highlighting key initiatives such as:

•  The Kaduna Innovation and Technology Council
• Smart Schools and Digital Learning Programmes
• STEM scholarships for top-performing students

Three Vocational and Skills Development Institutes in Rigachikun, Soba, and Samaru Kataf

“These are deliberate actions to prepare our young people for a tech-driven future,” he added.

Another Kaduna-born innovator, Shamsuddeen Jibril, also earned global acclaim with his AgroDrone Crop Doctor, designed for automated crop spraying and monitoring.

The innovation attracted partnerships with Teesside University in the UK and UKALD Management Consultancy, reinforcing Kaduna’s emergence as a powerhouse of tech talent.

Speaking after his win, Al’amin dedicated the award to young African innovators:

“This award belongs to every young African who believes that technology can solve our toughest challenges. I’m deeply grateful to Governor Uba Sani for creating an environment where innovation thrives.”

He pledged to use the funding to accelerate clean energy adoption and bridge Africa’s power gap, stating, “Interface Africa is not just a platform — it’s a movement.”

The NextGen Innovation Challenge is a prestigious international competition aimed at identifying scalable, impactful, and sustainable innovations from African entrepreneurs and start-ups.

Judging criteria include:

1.  Social and environmental impact
2.  Innovation depth
3.  Scalability
4.  Sustainability

Only 105 innovators made it to the finals in London out of over 3,000 Nigerian participants.

The Director-General of the Kaduna State Schools Quality Assurance Authority, Prof. Usman Abubakar Zaria, who led the state’s delegation to London, praised the success as “proof of visionary leadership”.

“Governor Uba Sani has consistently demonstrated his commitment to empowering youth and fostering innovation. What we witnessed in London is the result of policies that turn vision into reality,” Zaria stated.

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With rising international recognition and targeted government support, Kaduna State is fast becoming one of Nigeria’s leading tech hubs — a position the Uba Sani administration is determined to consolidate.

Kaduna innovator wins 2025 NextGen Innovation Challenge

Kaduna innovator wins 2025 NextGen Innovation Challenge