Kenechi Uzor

Nigerian innovator who revolutionized food preservation with solar-powered solutions

Kenechi Uzor is a Nigerian engineer and entrepreneur whose groundbreaking work in renewable energy and food security has made a transformative difference across West Africa. Born in 1989 in Lagos, Nigeria, Uzor's passion for solving real-world problems began during his studies at the University of Lagos, where he focused on mechanical engineering with a specialization in sustainable technologies.

In 2015, Uzor co-founded Solar Freeze, a company pioneering solar-powered cold storage solutions for smallholder farmers. His innovation directly addresses the 45% post-harvest food loss affecting African agriculture, which costs the continent $4 billion annually. The modular Solar Freeze units use photovoltaic panels to power refrigeration systems without relying on grid electricity, enabling farmers to store perishables like fruits, vegetables, and dairy products for up to two weeks.

Uzor's technology has been deployed in over 150 communities across Nigeria, Ghana, and Kenya, increasing farmer incomes by an average of 30% while reducing food waste. His work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 2 (Zero Hunger) and 7 (Affordable Energy), earning recognition including the 2018 Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation from the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Beyond technical innovation, Uzor has developed a community-centric business model where farmers pay via mobile money for storage access, with maintenance handled by locally trained technicians. This approach ensures long-term sustainability while creating new jobs in rural areas.

In 2019, Uzor expanded Solar Freeze's mission by launching the Green Innovation Hub, a training center providing renewable energy education to young Africans. Over 500 students have graduated from the program, many starting their own clean tech ventures inspired by Uzor's vision.

Uzor's impact extends globally through partnerships with organizations like UNICEF and the African Development Bank. His TED Talk "How solar power can end food waste in Africa" has been viewed over 2 million times, amplifying awareness about sustainable agriculture solutions.

Despite his success, Uzor remains committed to Nigeria's rural communities. He recently announced plans to deploy 1,000 additional units by 2025, potentially saving over $50 million in annual food losses. His work exemplifies how innovative engineering combined with social responsibility can create scalable solutions to global challenges.