As lead‑acid battery recycling in Africa gains urgency for environmental protection and circular economy growth, African innovators are turning toxic battery waste into economic opportunity.
These African battery recycling entrepreneurs are formalizing used lead‑acid battery collection, safe processing, and material recovery, reducing pollution while strengthening local industry.
Here are the top 5 African innovators transforming the lead-acid battery recycling space in 2025:
— Olaniyi Babalola (Nigeria): CEO of Bablo Industries Nigeria and African Silesian Business Hub, Babalola recovers up to 95 % of lead, plastic, and acid from spent batteries, formalizing waste management and supporting local manufacturing.
— Reon Barnard (South Africa): Co‑founder of Tabono Investments, Barnard builds sustainable recycling infrastructure that processes lead‑acid batteries while promoting circular economy practices across Southern Africa.
— Liran Assness (South Africa): Tabono Investments co‑founder, Assness drives scalable lead‑acid battery recycling Africa solutions by embedding green infrastructure linking recycling with industrial value chains.
— Marly Diallo (Guinea‑linked/active in Africa): Founder of BRT Energy, Diallo champions lead‑acid battery regeneration and responsible reuse across West and East Africa, training local talent in battery maintenance and circular solutions.
— Tolulope Olukokun (Nigeria): Engineer and founder, Olukokun repurposes used lead‑acid battery components for sustainable applications such as telecom backup and solar systems, expanding formal recycling awareness across Nigeria.
Together, these leaders show how African-led innovation in lead-acid battery recycling is reducing e-waste, strengthening industries, and building a sustainable energy ecosystem for the continent.
Methodology: Selection focused on verified African founders active in lead-acid battery recycling with measurable impact as of 2024–2025.
Criteria included innovation, local operational scale, circular-economy relevance, and contributions to safe, sustainable battery waste management.
Image Credit: Freepik
