Our #OnePerson for September 2025 is Olugbenga Olubanjo
Growing up in Nigeria, Olugbenga Olubanjo knew the struggle of living with constant power cuts. Entire neighborhoods plunged into darkness, families forced to depend on noisy generators, and students studying by candlelight, these realities shaped his determination to find a better way. His vision led to the creation of Reeddi, an innovative solar-powered capsule battery system that allows people in underserved communities to access clean, affordable, and reliable electricity.
Reeddi works on a pay-per-use model. Instead of buying expensive generators or solar systems, users rent compact energy capsules for as little as #800 per day. The capsules are portable, easy to recharge, and powerful enough to run small appliances, charge phones, or keep lights on at night. This model not only makes energy more accessible but also creates opportunities for small business owners, students, and families to thrive without the burden of high electricity costs.
Olubanjo’s idea was born from firsthand experience, but it was sharpened by his training and global exposure. After studying Civil Engineering at the University of Lagos, he pursued a master’s degree in Engineering Design at the University of Toronto, where he began prototyping Reeddi. His design stood out for its practicality and impact, winning recognition on global stages. In 2021, Reeddi was named a finalist for the Prince of Wales’ Earthshot Prize, one of the most prestigious sustainability awards in the world. The innovation has also been featured by the World Economic Forum and the Royal Academy of Engineering, placing Olubanjo among Africa’s most promising changemakers.
What makes Reeddi remarkable is not just its technology, but its focus on community empowerment. By partnering with local vendors, the company has built a distribution network that ensures even remote communities can access the capsules. This grassroots model means Reeddi is not just selling energy, it is creating jobs, supporting micro-entrepreneurs, and fostering a circular system of economic growth.
Olubanjo’s story is also one of perseverance. Building hardware in Africa comes with immense challenges, funding, infrastructure, and market adoption are constant hurdles. Yet his resilience has kept Reeddi growing. The company has reached thousands of users in Nigeria and is steadily expanding, with ambitions to scale across other African countries and beyond.
Today, Olugbenga Olubanjo represents the new face of African innovation: grounded in local realities, designed for global relevance, and rooted in a desire to solve problems that matter. From dark nights in Nigeria to bright recognition on the world stage, his journey is proof that one idea, fueled by persistence, can illuminate entire communities.
Let us celebrate Olugbenga Olubanjo!