By Synthia Lateu
A Cameroonian waste recycling startup has won a $1 million global innovation prize approximately 558 million CFA francs , for using artificial intelligence to transform waste into high-value industrial materials.
BleagLee, a Cameroon-based company specializing in AI-powered waste recycling, received the Milken-Motsepe Prize in AI and Manufacturing during the recent 2026 Milken Institute Global Conference in Los Angeles. The competition, backed by the foundation of South African businessman and Confederation of African Football President Patrice Motsepe, recognizes innovations driving Africa’s industrial development.
The startup emerged victorious after competing against thousands of entries from around the world.
According to the jury, BleagLee was recognized for its AI-assisted waste collection technology, which transforms plastic, agricultural, and electronic waste into premium recycled products.
Led by founder Juveline Ngum Ngwa, the company uses patented AI software to detect, collect, and process waste within communities. The recovered materials are then converted into engineered recycled polymers, 3D-printing filaments, and bio-based carbon materials.
The funding will help the startup scale its operations, expand processing capacity, and further develop its recycling technologies, with the aim of creating jobs and reducing environmental pollution.
Speaking after the award announcement, co founder of the Motsepe Foundation Precious Moloi-Motsepe said Africa is producing world-class AI and technology innovations capable of addressing global challenges. She added that investing in locally grounded but globally minded ideas could generate limitless impact.
The Milken Institute also noted that BleagLee is helping to revolutionize waste management in Cameroon by combining advanced technology with community-driven solutions. The organization said the startup aims to reduce 300 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions by 2030 while turning an environmental crisis into an economic opportunity.
The recognition comes at a time when Cameroon continues to face mounting waste management challenges. According to Cameroon’s Ministry of Environment, Protection of Nature and Sustainable Development (MINEPDED), the country generates an estimated six million tonnes of waste annually. Officials say only about a quarter of this waste is collected and treated by HYSACAM, while nearly half is managed outside existing regulations. The remaining waste is reportedly left untreated in open environments, raising concerns over pollution and public health risks
