Abu Dhabi, UAE – Two organisations and a high school from Africa have emerged as winners at the prestigious Zayed Sustainability Prize 2025, celebrated for their transformative contributions to addressing global challenges. The awards were presented by UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan during the ceremony at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, a leading platform for advancing sustainable development.
The Zayed Sustainability Prize, created to honor the legacy of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, awards outstanding initiatives across six categories: Health, Food, Energy, Water, Climate Action, and Global High Schools. This year, the Prize distributed $5.9 million among eleven winners from around the world, including India, Bangladesh, and Australia, furthering its impact on over 407 million lives since its inception in 2009.
Nigeria’s NaFarm Foods claimed the top prize in the Food category for its innovative hybrid solar-powered dryers, which combat post-harvest losses and improve food security. Benefiting 65,000 farmers across six states, the dryers have reduced annual carbon emissions by 50,000 metric tons. The initiative has also empowered 18,000 women and young people with skills to boost incomes and build resilient communities.
Tanzania’s Open Map Development Tanzania (OMDTZ) won in the Climate Action category for its groundbreaking flood risk mapping solution. By integrating drone technology and Geographic Information Systems (GIS), OMDTZ has helped local governments in Dar es Salaam protect 140,000 residents from floods. With support from the Prize, the organization plans to extend its efforts to other flood-prone areas like Morogoro City and the Pwani Region.
In the Global High Schools category, Ghana’s Sakafia Islamic Senior High School was recognized for its aquaponics project, a sustainable system combining aquaculture and hydroponics. The initiative has trained 50 students and provided fresh produce and workshops to over 1,000 community members, addressing food insecurity in the region.
President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan praised the winners, stating, “By nurturing these efforts, we are not only creating a more sustainable future for all but also honoring the legacy of Sheikh Zayed.”
Beyond Africa, winners included India’s Periwinkle Technologies (Health), Australia’s SkyJuice Foundation (Water), and Bangladesh’s Palki Motors (Energy). Six schools worldwide were also celebrated in the Global High Schools category.
This year’s success underscores Africa’s growing role as a hub of innovation, demonstrating the continent’s potential to lead in addressing global sustainability challenges and shaping solutions for a greener, more equitable future.