The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) faces a significant challenge: only 19% of its population has access to electricity. However green energy activists, Chinelo Adi and Benedict Owanga are working to help change this, with Owanga Solar, their innovative social enterprise.
Leveraging their research, personal experiences and drive for sustainability, Adi and Owanga co-founded Owanga Solar with a clear mission: provide affordable and eco-friendly energy solutions to underserved communities in the DRC.
At the heart of their initiative lies the Chisun battery pack, a portable solar-powered device built using recycled laptop batteries. This ingenious solution offers electricity for just $2 a day, empowering communities not just with power but also with the ability to thrive despite energy scarcity.
Beyond the DRC, Chinelo and Benedict envision scaling their operations across Africa, revolutionizing their energy landscape. Their long-term goals include providing solar panels for customers to charge the Chisun battery packs and fostering sustainable energy practices at the grassroots level.
The impact of Owanga Solar transcends economic boundaries, with their innovative solutions empowering communities, promoting resilience, and fostering a sustainable future for all. As we learn about their journey, we witness the transformative power of sustainable entrepreneurship, exemplifying the spirit of changemakers whose actions resonate far beyond business endeavours.
Credo CEO Awele Okigbo stated, “Africa can be energized with clean energy, but only with an enabling environment for private sector participation.”
Listen to the full episode on Spotify. To learn more about Owaga Solar, visit owangasolar.com and follow on LinkedIn (Owanga Solar, Chinelo Adi and Benedict Owanga).
New episodes of Credo Voices are released monthly on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube as part of Credo Advisory’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and fostering a global community of change-makers.
