Mbabane – Ekukhanyeni High School has lifted the national flag with pride after its student company, Kwakhanya PlantIQ, delivered an exceptional exhibition at the JA Africa Company of the Year Competition.
The team travelled to this year’s continental stage after securing the JA Eswatini 2025 championship title and went on to compete against eight countries.
The young innovators presented their Smart Irrigation IQ, a solution designed to improve water efficiency in agriculture. Their concept earned wide acclaim for its relevance, creativity and potential impact. Judges noted the team’s confidence and clarity throughout the competition.
Ekukhanyeni did not return empty handed. The students collected the Best Project Management Award and the Kuda Award, a continental honour that recognises emerging founders who demonstrate a blend of creativity, resilience, financial discipline and early stage business growth.
The award positions the team among Africa’s next generation of startup trailblazers.
In a further mark of excellence, the three young women behind the project have been selected for the Girl LEAD Bootcamp taking place in Accra, Ghana in March 2026.
The initiative aims to build leadership and entrepreneurial capacity among promising young women across the continent.
JA Eswatini congratulated the students for their commitment to excellence and expressed appreciation to Standard Bank Eswatini for supporting the team’s journey. The organisation also encouraged schools across the country to join the JA programme in order to unlock exposure, practical experience and access to future opportunities for Eswatini’s learners.
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