Kofi Boateng

Ghanaian engineer behind Africa's first community-owned solar grid project in off-grid regions

Kofi Boateng (b. 1992) pioneered the Solar Bush Grid initiative that has electrified 142 rural communities across West Africa since 2021. His decentralized solar microgrid model uses AI-powered energy management systems that reduce costs by 60% compared to traditional solutions. Recognized by Greenpeace as 2023's African Climate Innovator of the Year, his work addresses both energy poverty and climate change simultaneously.

Boateng's breakthrough came in 2022 with the launch of SolarShare, a blockchain-based platform allowing communities to trade excess energy. This system now operates in 7 countries including Nigeria and Kenya, creating $2.3M in new income streams for local farmers. His TED Talk explaining how solar tech can 'democratize energy' has been translated into 15 African languages.

In 2024, Boateng partnered with the African Development Bank to scale his model to 500 villages by 2026. His engineering firm GreenGrid Solutions employs 40% women in technical roles, challenging industry norms. The World Economic Forum named his approach a 'Top 10 Sustainable Energy Solution' in 2025. Boateng's innovations have prevented an estimated 800,000 tons of CO₂ emissions while improving healthcare through refrigeration and education via nighttime lighting.