By Grace Ademulegun
Replast Engineering was founded in Lagos, Nigeria, in 2021 by Kelvin Steve and Jennifer Johnson.
Initially starting as a plastic-for-cash project that recycled over 50 tons of waste plastics, the enterprise transformed to clean-tech solutions. This pivot was deeply inspired by Kelvin Steve’s personal experience with his mother’s business challenges due to erratic electricity supply.
Determined to create a solution, Kelvin focused on renewable energy to empower women-led small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across Nigeria.
The core focus of Replast engineering is to provide affordable solar energy solutions tailored to women-led businesses.
The company offers custom solar installations designed for SMEs to provide reliable electricity that reduces reliance on diesel generators, flexible financing models which Includes pay-as-you-go options, making renewable energy more accessible to low-income entrepreneurs.
Alongside these, it also organises training programs focused on equipping women with skills to maintain and operate solar systems, fostering employment in clean energy.
Some of the many impacts Replast Engineering has had over the few years it started include:
Economic Empowerment: Replast has supported over 200 women-led SMEs, enabling many to extend business hours, reduce operational costs, and increase revenue.
Environmental Benefits: by shifting businesses away from diesel generators, the company has significantly reduced greenhouse gas emissions.
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As much as the initiative is making impacts, it experiences a few challenges to which many solutions have been proffered.
One of the major issues faced is the high costs of renewable energy which is being addressed through partnerships with financial institutions to provide accessible credit schemes.
Team building is another area to which Kelvin emphasizes on hiring individuals who share Replast’s vision of “people over profits.”
In Nigeria, inflation and economic pressures constitute majority of the issue faced by businesses. Replast, however, has been able to mitigate the effects of these by maintaining customer-centric feedback loops and exploring scalable models.
Replast Engineering’s mission transcends clean energy provision, focusing on cultivating a new wave of female solar engineers and renewable energy financiers.
Co-founder, Jennifer Johnson, highlighted the enterprise’s core philosophy, stating, “Our approach integrates gender inclusivity with energy accessibility, empowering female entrepreneurs to harness solar solutions for business success. It’s a holistic vision to align environmental sustainability with social and economic advancements.”
In the near future, Replast Engineering aims to scale up its operations across West Africa. The company envisions a future where renewable energy solutions are the norm for businesses of all sizes, promoting environmental sustainability and economic development.
This commitment reflects Replast’s broader goal of achieving equitable progress while addressing energy challenges in Africa.
This initiative showcases how social entrepreneurship can bridge gender, energy, and sustainability gaps, making Replast a model for innovative eco-businesses in Africa
