Waste to Wealth: How African Innovation is Transforming Trash into Technology | Dr. Ben Festus

What if the waste we throw away every day could build industries, create jobs, and power Africa’s future?In this powerful episode of Discovering Africa Thru Technology, we are joined by Dr. Ben Festus a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Nanoengineering and Advanced Materials (CeNAM), University of Johannesburg; Acting Director of Research and Development at Federal Polytechnic Ede, Nigeria; and Convener of the Centre for Advanced Materials and Development.This episode dives deep into waste to wealth innovation, sustainable engineering, and the circular economy in Africa revealing how everyday waste can be transformed into high value materials, industrial products, and scalable business opportunities.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why waste is not useless but untapped wealthHow agro-waste (like coconut husks) can become durable industrial materialsWhy Africa must shift from importing goods to building local industriesHow e-waste recycling can produce battery materials and lab-grade resourcesScalable solutions for SMEs, startups, and local manufacturingThe innovation behind CoolTech a smart vaccine cooling carrierHow local techniques + modern science can drive climate smart industrialisationWhy this is more than research but a movement for Africa’s economic transformation This episode is perfect for:Engineers | Entrepreneurs | Startups | Policymakers | Sustainability professionals | Students | Anyone interested in African innovation, green technology, and climate solutionsKey topics covered:Waste to wealth | Circular economy | Sustainable engineering | Green technology | Agro-waste recycling | E-waste innovation | African industrialisation | Clean technology | Materials science | Local manufacturing | Climate change solutions Tune in to discover how Africa can turn waste into opportunity and lead the future of sustainable innovation.