Rita Idehai is the Founder of Ecobarter, building innovative systems to collect, tokenize and transform wastes into new products. She built West Africa’s first reverse vending machine – an ATM for plastics and cans. Their infrastructures enable individuals, households, and businesses to give their waste for recycling and earn points which they can redeem as cash, airtime, data and even buy electricity.

A social innovator who works at the nexus of waste, technology, social development and the economy, Rita is helping thousands of Nigerians use waste as a currency, supporting vulnerable people build back their lives. Her work is also instrumental in addressing climate adaptation, social inclusion and sustainable eco-system development.