Nigerian, Ugandan Youths Deploy Solar Technology to Tackle Environmental Challenges
Funmi Ogundare A Nigerian and a Ugandan youth innovators are deploying solar technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to address environmental and economic challenges, including energy poverty, food waste and agricultural
Two young innovators, from Nigeria and Uganda respectively, are harnessing solar technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to tackle environmental and economic challenges. Funmi Ogundare, a 2025 Commonwealth Young Person of the Year, converted 600 kilogrammes of discarded plastic bottles into a community energy hub. The facility in Abuja serves internally displaced persons and provides renewable energy, lighting, and charging services for devices.
Meanwhile, Shifra Ainomugisha, the 2026 recipient, uses solar-powered cold storage, irrigation, and AI to help smallholder farmers in Uganda minimize post-harvest losses. Their initiatives highlight how youth-led innovations can foster environmental sustainability, boost food security, and generate economic opportunities. The Commonwealth offers platforms for young innovators to connect with partners, investors, and policymakers.
Anigbogu's Lighthouse for Peace project, built from 30,000 discarded plastic bottles, supplies energy, lighting, and charging services to a refugee camp, transforming waste into infrastructure. Ainomugisha's Solafam Uganda Limited employs solar-powered cold storage, solar irrigation, and LYN AI—a WhatsApp-based agricultural adviser—to preserve produce, maintain productivity, and enhance farmers' incomes.
Both initiatives showcase the potential of youth-led solutions to address environmental and economic challenges while improving livelihoods.
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