Earlier this January, Colorado College’s very own Paul-miki Akpablie, senior, was named a 2016 recipient of the Queen’s Young Leaders Award. The award, handed out by Queen Elizabeth II herself at the Buckingham Palace in June, recognizes the achievements of exceptional individuals between ages 18 and 29 working to transform the lives of others.
Akpablie, age 22, is a CC math and biochemistry major and developed Kadi Energy in Colorado College’s Big Idea Competition last year. Kadi Energy is a company that provides its consumers with top-of-the-line energy products, most specifically a long-lasting phone battery that uses solar power to charge cell phones.
Akpablie used the $50,000 he won in the Big Idea Competition to distribute the chargers to people in Ghana, after he found out that many individuals living in underdeveloped countries were spending a huge chunk of their income on the charging of mobile devices. Akpablie himself is from Ho, Ghana.
“I will recommend students to take part in the Big Idea Competition but mere participation does not guarantee that you will be successful at your venture,” said Akpablie. “What is more important is dedication and perseverance. You have to be willing to work hard and engage actively with people in your community.”
Akpablie has dedicated himself to Kadi Energy since 2013, and over the next few years, plans to provide energy to over seven million people.
Akpablie will be flown out to England in June, where he will spend a week meeting with corporate partners and participating in networking events—a great opportunity for both himself and Kadi Energy.
“The most exciting thing about the award is that we will be taking a year-long course with Cambridge University. This course is tailored to our needs as social entrepreneurs,” said Akpablie.
Akpablie knew Kadi Energy was doing great work, but also knew that the same could be said about the other 2000 commonwealth projects being considered for the award. It was a competitive process, and he is thrilled and grateful to have been selected as one of the 60 recipients.
Instead of the nervousness that most CC students would feel before meeting Queen Elizabeth II, Akpablie is nothing but excited.
“It is definitely a dream come true and I am happy that with this award, Kadi can make the commitment to provide energy to 7 million Ghanaians in the next few years,” said Akpablie.