Fela Buyi Akinse has gained international acclaim as the founder of Salubata, a clean technology company producing modular footwear from recycled plastic waste. The company's designs use ocean-derived PET plastic and feature replaceable parts to reduce long-term waste. Akinse, who holds a master's degree in Environmental Toxicology and Pollution Management from the University of Lagos, left a career in business analysis and environmental science to launch the venture. Salubata has secured funding from Techstars, Render Capital, LACI, and the Black Ambition Prize, expanding its presence to over forty countries.
One of Akinse's patented innovations involves shoe technology that converts carbon dioxide into oxygen through walking pressure. This invention, alongside his modular footwear patent, has positioned him as both an entrepreneur and inventor in the sustainability space. His work earned him the Forbes Fellowship in 2018 and wins at the UBER Lagos Innovates Pitch and UUBO Black Friday Pitch Competition, both in 2019. He was nominated for Business Person of the Year by The Entrepreneur Africa Awards that same year.
Recognition from UN-Habitat followed, naming Salubata one of the top 20 solutions turning waste into wealth. Further accolades include the IEEE Entrepreneurship Stars Virtual Competition and World Footwear Excellence Award in 2020, the Trane Technologies Sustainability Prize in 2021, and multiple 2022 honors such as the AU Youth Pavilion BIC Africa-AeTrade Challenge and the Orange Corners Incubation Pitch Award. In 2023, Akinse was selected for the Hoover Institution's 2026 Environmental Entrepreneur Fellowship at Stanford University. He has spoken at TEDx, COP28, and the Princeton Africa Summit, advocating African-led solutions in circular design and waste reduction.
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