Packaging on the continent is being reinvented, made greener, smarter, and more sustainable by entrepreneurs who don’t just follow trends, but drive change.
These visionaries are rethinking materials and systems to cut waste, protect the planet, and still deliver products people rely on.
Here are the top 5 African entrepreneurs leading this shift:
— Bethelhem Dejene Abebe (Ethiopia): Founder & CEO of Zafree, Abebe transforms banana plant waste into paper-based packaging, including cartons, kraft paper, and molded pulp, building a circular solution that reduces deforestation and agricultural waste.
— Joseph Nguthiru (Kenya): Founder of HyaPak Ecotech, Nguthiru turns invasive water hyacinth into fully biodegradable packaging, making plastic alternatives from a problematic plant while restoring ecosystems.
— Derrick Sarfo (Ghana): Founder & CEO of DercolBags Packaging Ltd., Sarfo makes eco-friendly, biodegradable packaging to replace single-use plastic, while also providing reusable packaging services for food vendors.
— Lorna Rutto (Kenya): Founder of Ecopost, Rutto converts plastic waste into durable building products and packaging alternatives, enabling locally sourced, recycled-material packaging and construction solutions.
— Eferobosa Oguegbu (Nigeria): Co‑founder of The Paper Packaging Company, Oguegbu drives the production of compostable, eco‑friendly packaging solutions for businesses, helping reduce plastic use and build a sustainable packaging ecosystem.
These entrepreneurs show that packaging doesn’t have to cost the planet — innovation, purpose, and local materials can reshape how everyday products are boxed, wrapped, and shipped.
Listing is based on African entrepreneurs leading sustainable packaging innovations, focusing on those redesigning materials or systems for environmental impact.
Criteria included leadership, measurable ecological benefits, and active, verifiable work as of 2025.
Image Credit: New Food Magazine
