UAE honors Zayed Sustainability Prize winners

President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan honored winners of the 2025 Zayed Sustainability Prize on Tuesday, recognizing the achievements of 11 organizations and high schools from around the world.

1. Palki Motors (Bangladesh)

Winning in the energy category, Palki Motors is revolutionizing transportation in Bangladesh with its locally manufactured electric vehicles designed for commercial drivers. Priced at an affordable $4,990, these lightweight vehicles cater to the region's specific needs and are supported by a network of solar-powered battery swap stations, already benefiting over 23,000 people.

Palki Motors

Founder and CEO Mostafa Al Momin described the prize as a "Nobel Prize for sustainability," crediting it for providing not only financial support but also global recognition that allows small companies to expand their impact. He praised the UAE’s leadership in advancing sustainability and noted how the prize inspires small businesses to dream big.

2. NaFarm Foods (Nigeria)

In the food category, Nigeria’s NaFarm Foods was honored for its hybrid solar food dryers, which address food security by reducing post-harvest losses. These dryers not only lower food wastage but also reduce carbon emissions by 50,000 metric tonnes annually. Since its inception, NaFarm has distributed 80 dryers across six Nigerian states, benefiting over 65,000 farmers.

Nafarm Foods

3. SkyJuice Foundation (Australia)

Winning in the water category, Australia’s SkyJuice Foundation is transforming access to clean drinking water with its innovative SkyHydrant system. This gravity-powered filtration device delivers 15,000 liters of potable water per day without the need for chemicals or electricity.

SkyJuice Foundation

With over 9,000 installations in 74 countries, the system has brought clean water to more than three million people, particularly in underserved and remote communities. Founder Rhett Butler highlighted the profound impact of safe water on eradicating poverty and called the Prize a validation of their work.

SkyJuice plans to use the $1 million Prize fund to scale its efforts, including installations in schools, hospitals, and displacement camps.