Shell Egypt showcased its commitment to youth empowerment and sustainable innovation at EGYPES 2025, highlighting its NXplorers Awards Ceremony and the Shell Intilaaqah Egypt programme. These social investment programmes aim to develop future energy leaders and entrepreneurs, providing them with essential skills and platforms to create positive change.
The NXplorers Awards Ceremony at EGYPES 2025 recognised young innovators tackling real-world sustainability challenges. From over 160 applicants, six teams were selected as finalists. ECO Safe, the winning team, presented an innovative approach to reduce the harmful effects of plastic waste on public health in Manshea Nasser, Cairo, by 50-70% by 2028.
ECO Safe’s plan involves establishing modern research centres for recycling technologies and collaborating with private sector companies and informal garbage collectors to amend legislation combating illegal plastic processing workshops. Their vision is to transform a polluted area into a sustainable oasis and mitigate the harm of plastic waste.
“The NXplorers programme is about empowering young people with the tools to think critically, collaborate, and take action, in order to be able to tangibly innovate,” said Heba El Karrar, Communications & Social Investment Lead at Shell Egypt. “The solutions presented this year show that Egypt’s youth are ready to lead the way in sustainability and energy transition. At Shell, we are committed to fostering these talents and ensuring they have the support to turn their ideas into real-world impact.”
Launched in 2017, the NXplorers programme has engaged thousands of Egyptian students, helping them develop solutions aligned with Egypt’s Vision 2030 and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Shell also showcased six high-potential startups from its Shell Intilaaqah Egypt programme at its EGYPES 2025 booth. These startups, representing sectors like renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, healthcare, and e-mobility, presented their innovative businesses to industry leaders, investors, and policymakers.
“Entrepreneurship is a powerful force for economic resilience and innovation,” said Ahmed Gabry, Social Performance Manager at Shell Egypt. “Through Intilaaqah, we are equipping Egypt’s young entrepreneurs with the resources and mentorship needed to build scalable, impactful businesses. Seeing these startups take centre stage at EGYPES 2025 is a testament to their potential and the importance of investing in local talent.”
The featured startups included Solar Edge (self-cleaning device for solar panels), Hybridly (platform connecting renewable energy stakeholders), and Qatfa (agri-tech solution reducing food waste). Also showcased were Banana Med (surgical sutures from banana fibres), Seaats (e-mobility platform for last-mile delivery), and Croptimus (enhancing agricultural efficiency through biochar and bio-oil technology).
NXplorers and Shell Intilaaqah Egypt are part of Shell Egypt’s broader social investment strategy focused on education, skills development, and entrepreneurship, key pillars of its Powering Progress strategy. Shell Egypt remains dedicated to nurturing talent, empowering youth, and investing in a future driven by innovation and sustainability.
