Nairobi, Kenya | 4 June 2025 — APA Insurance, a member of the Apollo Group, has joined the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) as a strategic partner for the 3rd edition of the Cleantech Innovation Competition, reaffirming its commitment to sustainable development, environmental innovation, and youth empowerment.
The partnership was officially announced during a stakeholder event at Apollo Centre in Nairobi, attended by Joseph Murabula, CEO of KCIC; Ashok Shah, Group CEO of APA Apollo Group; and Dr. Steve Tharakan, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya.
“We are proud to support the Cleantech Innovation Competition 2025,” said Ashok Shah, Group CEO of APA Apollo Group. “At APA, we believe that investing in youth-led innovation is crucial for building a greener, more resilient future. These students represent the next generation of change makers who will lead the way in climate solutions across Africa.”
APA Insurance’s support will go toward enhancing key components of the competition, including mentorship, business training, and incubation support, thereby enabling student teams to refine and scale their solutions.
The Cleantech Innovation Competition is a joint initiative by KCIC, the Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya, SICPA, and Strathmore University. Now in its third year, the competition is designed to identify and support early-stage businesses in the cleantech sector that are tackling pressing environmental problems.
Demographically, the competition targets university and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students in Kenya to present innovative ideas and technologies that address local environmental issues. KCIC will be placing a call for applications in July to enroll high-potential cleantech innovations into the competition.
The program aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and focuses on key thematic areas: Renewable Energy Solutions, Waste Management and Recycling, Sustainable Agriculture, Water Purification and Conservation, Green Transportation, Eco-Friendly Construction Practices, and Nature-Based Solutions.
By addressing the structural and capacity-related challenges that hinder early-stage cleantech innovations, the competition serves as a springboard for promising young entrepreneurs to access the tools, mentorship, and networks needed to advance their ideas and attract investment.
One of the notable ventures nurtured from the cleantech competition is EcoBana, an enterprise that is working towards ending period poverty by providing organic, cost-effective and eco-friendly sanitary pads. The proprietor, Lennox Omondi, was the inaugural winner of the cleantech competition.
“Through this competition and strategic partnerships like the one with APA Insurance, we are cultivating a new generation of cleantech innovators who are ready to lead Kenya’s green transition,” said Joseph Murabula, CEO of KCIC.
“This partnership will expand the reach and impact of the program, while providing critical resources to innovators working at the intersection of technology and sustainability.”
About Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC)
Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) is a Pan-African organization operating in the climate space, with a mission of catalyzing climate entrepreneurship across the continent. Through technical support, access to finance, policy initiatives, market system strengthening, and community empowerment, KCIC is leading the charge in accelerating Africa’s green transition. The organization is driven by the belief that a future of climate resilience and economic prosperity is a dream within reach.
Website: www.kenyacic.org
Twitter: @KenyaCIC |LinkedIn: Kenya Climate Innovation Center
About APA Insurance
APA Insurance is part of the Apollo Group, a leading insurance provider in East Africa offering a wide range of products including Motor, Health, Agriculture, Property, as well as a unique range of micro-insurance products. Its other primary insurance business units include APA Life Insurance, APA Insurance in Uganda; an asset management company, Apollo Asset Management; and a property company, Gordon Court Limited. The Apollo Associate in Tanzania is Reliance Insurance Company.
Website: www.apainsurance.org
