Green Economy minister Collins Nzovu has challenged youths in higher learning institutions to be innovative in creating ideas to deal with environmental challenges.
Speaking at the Pachipanda Innovation Challenge Pitch Day organised by WWF Zambia and MTN Zambia Foundation, Nzovu said youths should be innovative and find solutions to environmental challenges, thereby creating employment opportunities for themselves and others.
He said ideas are born from higher learning institutions for innovation in the country.
And Nzovu said the Pachipanda Innovation Challenge gave capacity building opportunities and an idea development platform.
Nzovu urged the youths that won the innovation challenge to utilise the funds to build their businesses and bring solutions to their communities.
Meanwhile Nzovu encouraged WWF Zambia to continue with innovations.
Nzovu added that there was need to look at other solutions to climate change such as alternative solutions to charcoal to reduce deforestation.
And WWF country director Nachilala Nkombo expressed happiness with the response from people around the country to participate in the innovation challenge.
Meanwhile, MTN Zambia chief executive officer Bart Hofker said MTN is committed to giving back to society, adding that the innovation challenge is a call to young and innovative Zambians to tackle environmental challenges that affect their country and communities.
Nkombo called for idea-stage solutions for climate challenge from Zambian youths passionate about inspiring the next generation for environmental protection which attracted 1,100 entries.
