An exceptional young man named Jeremiah Thoronka is making waves in the world of clean energy, having won the Chegg.org global prize award and being named a United Nations Academic Impact Millennium Fellow. Thoronka, who is just 22 years old, hails from Sierra Leone and grew up in a slum camp with his single mother. The experience of poor electricity supply and having to rely on burning charcoal and wood for lighting and heating motivated him to find a solution.
His passion for finding a solution led him to receive a scholarship for secondary school, where he was exposed to a world with abundant electricity. This experience only fueled his determination to make a difference. He went on to study Global Challenges, Energy, and Environment at the African Leadership University in Rwanda, where he launched his start-up, Optim Energy, at the age of 17. The company transforms vibrations from vehicles and pedestrian footfall into an electric current, providing clean energy in a sustainable manner.
Thoronka graduated from the African Leadership University with a First-Class degree, and his exceptional achievements earned him the United Kingdom’s Commonwealth Shared Scholarship for a Master’s degree at Durham University. His invention has been recognized globally, and his recognition as a United Nations Academic Impact Millennium Fellow and winning the Chegg.org global prize award are testament to the impact he is making.
His journey from growing up in a slum camp to being a globally recognized innovator is truly inspiring. Thoronka’s passion and drive to find a solution to the challenges faced by his country serve as a reminder of the power of education and the impact one person can make in the world. His invention has the potential to make a significant impact on the global energy landscape and pave the way for a more sustainable future.
