Meet Nzambi Matee, a 29-year-old Kenyan engineer who is revolutionizing the construction industry.

A former engineer in the oil and gas industry, Nzambi gave up her lucrative career after she discovered a flood of plastic bags and bottles in the crystal blue waters of the Indian Ocean during a trip to the port of Mombasa. This experience inspired Nzambi to find a solution to her country's plastic problem by transforming waste into sustainable materials. She started the new business in her mother's backyard, where she began combining recycled plastic with sand to make paving bricks. Nzambi's company, Gjenge Makers, produces a lightweight, inexpensive and durable building material that is stronger than concrete. The company currently makes about 500 to 1000 bricks per day and recycles nearly 500 kilograms of plastic waste every day.

Nzambi was named a “Young Champion of the Earth” by the United Nations in 2020 and is part of a new generation of young environmentalists tackling global challenges.