Beti Andem

Nigerian environmental entrepreneur leading plastic waste innovation

Beti Andem is a Nigerian environmentalist and entrepreneur whose work in plastic waste management has made significant impacts across West Africa. In 2016 she founded Releaf Africa, a social enterprise that transforms discarded plastics into construction materials through a patented process. By 2023, her company had recycled over 5 million kg of plastic waste and created 1,200 jobs in underserved communities.

Andem's breakthrough came in 2020 when she secured $2.5 million in funding from the African Development Bank to scale operations. Her invention of 'Plastic Brick' technology allows construction of affordable housing using 90% recycled materials, addressing both environmental and housing crises. This innovation earned her the 2021 UN Young Champions of the Earth Award and inclusion in Forbes Africa's 30 Under 30 list.

Her work has inspired regional partnerships with governments in Ghana and Kenya to implement waste-to-wealth programs. In 2023, she launched an educational platform teaching youth circular economy principles through Plastic Revolution Academy. Andem's vision combines environmental stewardship with economic empowerment, creating sustainable solutions to Africa's plastic pollution challenges while fostering green jobs growth.