"I'd love to walk a mile in the shoes of the team behind Africa’s first successful waste-to-energy project in Ethiopia."
What made you decide to start this project?
Across Africa, including Nigeria, challenges like energy poverty, climate change, limited electricity access, and the adverse effects of waste disposal persist impact the quest for a livable environment.
This project presents a comprehensive strategy to tackle these issues simultaneously. Essentially, it offers a reliable, baseload power supply through a sustainable, renewable energy source while effectively managing waste, reducing input volume by up to 95%.
The innovative waste-to-energy approach, widely employed in other global regions, is groundbreaking in Africa, particularly in West Africa. In fact, it is the first of its kind and scale in the region and only the second in all of Africa.
Where do you see yourself and your project in three years?
In three years, we anticipate the completion of our flagship waste-to-energy project in Nigeria. Its success will showcase the potential to address the region's energy deficit and waste management challenges, providing an opportunity to catalyze and unlock the untapped waste-to-energy sector through follow-on projects.
If you could step into someone else’s shoes for a day, who would it be, and what experiences or insights do you hope to gain during that time?
My choice is rather unconventional. Instead of picking a specific person, I'd love to walk a mile in the shoes of the team behind Africa’s first successful waste-to-energy project in Ethiopia. As early pioneers in a new sector on the continent with whom I feel a strong kindred spirit, I want to understand the challenges they faced and overcame to deliver that project. I would especially love to gain the insights and learnings from their experience and what, if anything, they would have done differently. It would be wonderful to delve into their rich knowledge and experience to consider the best ways to expand the sector across the continent.
Noble Ekajeh
Managing Director of Phoenix Edison, Nigeria