Introducing Africa’s Best: Meet the 2014 Young Africans Committed to Excellence (YACE)

6. Wemimo Samson Abbey

Age: 22
Nationality: Nigerian
Education: New York University | MPA
Current Title: Founder, Clean Water for Everyone (CWFE)
Presentation Topic: Sustainable Water, Sanitation/Hygiene Development in Africa

Abbey Wemimo is the founder and CEO of Clean Water for Everyone (CWFE), an organization that provides access to clean and affordable water supply in developing nations by working with local people and organizations to achieve positive and measured social, economic, and environmental impacts. CWFE has provided access to clean water for more than 48,560 people in four countries. Abbey has a wealth of experience in marketing, consulting, project management, and market research. He is a fervent advocate of education and believes it should be the paramount investment in any child’s life as it empowers and expands the intellectual frame of reference. He envisions a prosperous future for Africa led by a new generation of educated, empowered, and ethical leaders.

Face2Face Africa: What impact has CWFE made so far and what is your vision for the organization?

Wemimo Samson Abbey: We have already provided access to clean water for over 48,560 people in Bolivia, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Ghana, Nigeria, and Nepal. We’ve also built/renovated 12 toilet facilities and awarded 51 scholarships (60 percent to girls). A recent project report can be found here.

I want to provide access to clean water and proper sanitation for every school that lacks access to this basic need around the world. We’re also operating on a new model to kill our previous charity approach. We offer small infrastructure loans to help finance or rehabilitate water and sanitation systems in schools. As they’re repaid, we re-deploy loans to other schools in need of water and sanitation systems. Given current interest, we are projecting a 90 percent profit margin in the next five years.

F2FA: What do you love about Africa? What would you change about the current state of Africa if you could and how are you currently working to bring about this change?

WA: For centuries, Africa was considered a dark interlude between the grandeur of Europe and the emerging markets of Asia, often associated with corruption, war, and injustice. However, the new era is rooted in a powerful truth: Africa’s most valuable resource is not its oil, diamonds, or copper, but the talent and creativity of its people. My top priorities are education, public service, and social justice. I refuse to perpetuate the conventional wisdom of Africa as a poster child of poverty and disease, but I envision a sustainable, more prosperous future for Africa led by a new generation of educated, empowered, and ethical leaders. I am determined to impact and drive change in Africa, especially in my country of Nigeria. In the near future, I will return to contribute to the revolution that is imminent in the landscape of Africa and my dear country, Nigeria. I want to play an active role in the political environment developing public policies and educational reforms to help improve the human capital of my people.