Namibian teen innovator places third in global entrepreneurial competition

AT 17 years old, Agnes Lusiano from Concordia College placed third in the Africa regional category of the Blue Ocean Student Entrepreneur Competition.

The contest, which drew over 12 000 pupils from 163 countries and territories, is the world’s largest virtual entrepreneurship competition for high school pupils.

Her project, Story Seed Cards, is a storytelling toolkit designed to boost literacy and creativity in children, especially those in low-income and rural communities.

Made from recycled materials and free from any digital requirements, the cards provide story prompts to inspire imagination, build comprehension, and strengthen speaking and listening skills through group engagement.

“It feels unreal. I’m extremely proud of myself for placing third, and I’m so grateful for the opportunity to represent Namibia on such a big platform. It means a lot to know that I can be a role model for other high school pupils as well,” Lusiano says.

She says the idea stemmed from her research into real-world problems, with literacy challenges standing out the most. Inspired by existing storytelling cards, Lusiano reimagined them to be more eco-friendly and accessible for children who might not have access to books or technology.

With limited resources during the holidays in northern Namibia, she crafted a prototype, scripted and edited a video submission, and ultimately, submitted a winning concept.

Despite the challenges, Lusiano found the process exciting. She says editing her video submission was the most memorable part of the experience as it allowed her to bring her research and vision to life.

Beyond the achievement, she says she sees her success as an opportunity to encourage other youth to think creatively and pursue their passions fearlessly.

“Even if your ideas sound silly to others or don’t make sense right away, don’t let that stop you. With hard work, dedication, and proper research, your idea can succeed. Be confident in the vision you have,” she advises.

Now, Lusiano is planning to further develop Story Seed Cards, explore more competitions, and seek funding and mentorship to launch the project on a small scale.

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