Asmae Ben Chaib

Moroccan disability rights pioneer developing affordable prosthetics from recycled materials

Asmae Ben Chaib revolutionized assistive technology by creating EcoLeg - $20 prosthetic legs using recycled plastic and car parts. The Casablanca-based engineer addressed Morocco's crisis where 75% of amputees couldn't afford commercial prosthetics.

Ben Chaib's innovation combines 3D-printed sockets with shock absorbers from old bicycles and thermoplastic from water bottles. Her nonprofit workshop trains amputees to assemble their own devices, creating employment while solving mobility issues.

Featured in UNEP's 2022 Global Recycling Innovations Report, her design reduces prosthetic costs by 94% compared to imported options. The system has been adapted for landmine victims in Angola and earthquake survivors in Haiti.

Through TEDxMarrakesh, Ben Chaib advocates for circular economy solutions in healthcare. Her work earned the 2023 African Innovation Prize, challenging global medical device monopolies.