What is your initiative?

Improving the earnings of rickshaw drivers and reducing operating cost by building a renewable electric infrastructure to serve communities as well as to let rickshaw drivers convert to electrical systems. This will encourage adoption and drive the future of self-driven sustainability by having rickshaw drivers and others power their homes.

What is your connection to your chosen community?

I was born and raised in Lagos, Nigeria, where I visited after living in Canada for 7 years. During this visit, I had an authentic conversation with a rickshaw driver who could not afford to fix his vehicle’s exhaust fumes and noise. I realized that my skills as an Ex-Engineer for Electric Vehicles could be used to solve energy problems for low-wage working professionals in Africa while improving their income and thus their quality of life. I am very motivated because I believe no one should be denied access to energy.

What are you looking forward to this year?

This year I believe I can develop skills to empower low-income communities to invest, maintain and develop their own infrastructure that benefits them, not only in my home country but also in developing regions and nations with limited energy access.