The Global Solutions Initiative has unveiled its 2025 cohort of Young Global Changers, recognized for their exceptional innovative efforts.
The Young Global Changers program celebrates young leaders between 18 and 35 who develop solutions that foster what the initiative calls ‘recoupling’—connecting economic growth with social progress and environmental stewardship.
The finalists for 2025 exemplify this vision through a diverse range of initiatives tackling challenges in agriculture, financial inclusion, environmental restoration, social equity, and democratic engagement.
This year’s selection process was highly competitive, having over 600 applications from nearly 100 countries. From the 52 semi-finalists,15 have been selected as the finalists and are set to present their initiatives at the upcoming Global Solutions Summit in Berlin, to be held in May 2025.
“The Young Global Changers network is constantly growing and evolving, just as its members are – and we hope to achieve our goal of amplifying the important work that our YGCs are doing in different fields, from social & climate action to business and civic engagement,” commented The Global Solutions Initiative in a LinkedIn post unavailing the selected ventures.
Among these finalists, several dynamic projects from Africa stand out for their commitment to driving positive change across the continent.
They include;
 Farmer Lifeline Tech Ltd. – Kenya
Led by CEO Ester Kimani, Farmer Lifeline Tech Ltd. is revolutionizing agriculture with AI-driven, solar-powered devices that monitor crop health in real time. These devices help smallholder farmers detect pests and diseases early, significantly reducing yield losses. The company currently supports over 5,100 farms in Kenya, with 65% of its users being women. By equipping farmers with timely information, Farmer Lifeline Tech not only boosts food production but also combats poverty and food insecurity, contributing to climate change resilience across the region.
 myStash – Nigeria
In Nigeria, where over 90% of employment is informal, financial security remains elusive for many workers. myStash, co-founded by Christiana Okere, addresses this gap through a digital savings tool that enables informal workers to autosave a portion of their earnings. The platform also connects users to micro-pension schemes, helping them build safety nets for emergencies and retirement. Additionally, the app uses savings patterns to generate credit scores, granting users, particularly women who often lack traditional collateral, improved access to loans.
 Bees and Trees – Uganda
Stephen Bright, co-founder of Bees and Trees, is driving land restoration in Uganda by incentivizing farmers to plant trees. The initiative provides beehives and coffee seedlings to farmers who integrate trees into their fields, promoting agroforestry. This approach restores degraded lands, prevents landslides, and enhances biodiversity through pollination. Moreover, farmers benefit from increased income through honey and coffee sales, creating a win-win scenario for communities and the environment.
We Are Special – Nigeria
Shamsiyyah Umar, Executive Director of the Special Physically Challenged Care Foundation (“We Are Special”), leads efforts to foster the inclusion of people with disabilities in underserved communities. The foundation’s programs address social equity and climate resilience by offering vocational training and advocating for inclusive community development. Through these initiatives, “We Are Special” empowers individuals with disabilities to achieve economic independence and contribute to their communities.
Promise Tracker – Nigeria
In Nigeria, democratic participation often faces challenges related to transparency and accountability. Promise Tracker, led by Executive Director Abiora Durodola, uses technology to bridge this gap. The platform empowers citizens to monitor and assess the performance of elected officials, fostering greater civic engagement. To date, Promise Tracker has involved over 3,000 young people in its mission to strengthen democratic accountability through informed advocacy and active participation.
African Innovation for a Global Future
The selection of these outstanding initiatives underscores Africa’s growing role in addressing global challenges through local innovations. Their work not only benefits their immediate communities but also offers scalable solutions with potential for global impact.
The 2025 Global Solutions Summit in Berlin will provide a platform for these African changemakers to share their insights, connect with international stakeholders, and inspire further collaborative action toward a more inclusive and sustainable world.
About GSI
The Global Solutions Initiative proposes policy responses to major global problems, generated through a disciplined research program, elaborated in policy dialogues, and addressed by the G20, the G7 and other global governance fora.
