Kenyan start-ups d.light, Keep IT Cool among 2024 Earthshot Prize finalists

Two Kenyan start-ups are among the 15 finalists competing for £1 million (Ksh.168 million) each in this year’s Earthshot Prize.

Solar home systems maker d.light and Keep IT Cool, a solar-powered refrigeration solutions company, will compete for the global environmental award founded by the Royal Foundation and the U.K.’s Prince William.

Ghana-based youth-led waste management group Gayo is the other African contender for the prize.

“These finalists are leading the way in solving some of the most urgent environmental challenges. Their ground-breaking work is inspiring hope and action as we work to create a sustainable future for generations to come,” said Prince William, who is the prize's president.

The prize seeks to discover, spotlight, and help scale innovative solutions "the world needs if it is to collectively achieve critical environmental goals."

This year’s finalists were selected from nearly 2,500 nominees.

Solutions selected align with the five ‘Earthshots’ – protect and restore nature; clean our air; revive our oceans; build a waste-free world; and fix our climate.

Five winners selected by Prince William and his fellow members of the prize’s council will get £1 million in each of these categories.

In addition to the prize money, each finalist will receive mentorship, resources and technical support to help accelerate the growth of their solution during the Earthshot Prize Fellowship Programme.

The winners will be announced on November 6 at an awards ceremony in Cape Town, South Africa.