Ms. Charlot Magayi

Ms. Charlot Magayi is a Kenyan social entrepreneur, climate innovator, and clean energy leader whose work is transforming lives across Africa. Born and raised in the Mukuru slums of Nairobi, she faced hardship early in life, becoming an orphan at age 10 and a young mother at 16. A personal tragedy involving her daughter and traditional charcoal stoves sparked her determination to innovate safer, healthier cooking solutions for low-income households.

In 2017, she founded Mukuru Clean Stoves, a social enterprise that designs and distributes affordable, low-emission cookstoves made from recycled materials, significantly reducing indoor air pollution and fuel costs for families.

Charlot’s innovation has earned global recognition, most notably the Earthshot Prize (Clean Our Air category) in 2022, one of the world’s most prestigious environmental awards, and she was dubbed the “Queen of Africa” by Prince William for her impact. Her work has improved health outcomes for millions, cutting harmful emissions and creating economic opportunities through women-led production and distribution networks.

As a changemaker, Charlot exemplifies resilience and purpose-driven leadership, inspiring African women to turn adversity into solutions that uplift families and communities.