Amina Abdul Kader

A Nigerian social entrepreneur who pioneered affordable water purification technology for rural communities

Amina Abdul Kader (b. 1975) is a Nigerian innovator whose work in environmental engineering has transformed access to clean water in sub-Saharan Africa. In 1998, while studying chemical engineering at the University of Ibadan, she developed the Solar-Powered Filtration Unit, a low-cost system using locally sourced materials to purify contaminated water. This breakthrough technology reduced waterborne disease rates by 67% in pilot communities according to a 2002 WHO study. By 2005, her nonprofit Water for Tomorrow Initiative had deployed over 500 units across 12 African countries through partnerships with UNICEF and local governments. Amina's approach combines engineering innovation with community training programs, ensuring sustainability. Her TED Talk "Engineering Solutions with Heart" has been viewed over 2 million times. In 2000, she co-founded the African Women in Engineering Network, which now supports 3,000+ female engineers across the continent. Amina's impact extends beyond technology - her Sustainable Water Charter framework is now adopted by 15 national governments for water policy development. Recent projects include solar-powered desalination systems for coastal communities and AI-driven water quality monitoring networks.