Innovator Spotlight: Adejoke Lasisi — Pioneering Sustainability in Africa’s Startup Scene
Let’s talk about Adejoke Lasisi — the inspiring founder and creative director of Planet 3R. Adejoke’s story is one of passion, innovation, and turning challenges into opportunities.
Born into a traditional weaving family in Ibadan, Nigeria, Adejoke started weaving aso-òfì at just nine years old. Fast forward a few decades, and she’s taking on one of the biggest environmental problems in her city: discarded nylon water sachets. Instead of just complaining about the litter, she decided to transform them into vibrant, eye-catching bags, slippers, and even school bags — one of which uses thousands of recycled sachets!
Planet 3R, founded during the COVID-19 pandemic, was born out of Adejoke’s passion for the environment and a drive to find solutions amid crisis. Since then, she’s empowered over 1,000 unemployed youths, trained 4,300 students in recycling, and created 50 eco-friendly products. Adejoke’s dedication even earned her the 2021 National MSME Award, presented by Mrs. Dolapo Osinbajo.
So, how did Adejoke navigate Africa’s tough startup landscape? Here’s how she did it:
- Leaned on what she knew — Her family’s weaving background helped her innovate with recycled materials.
- Turned Problems into Opportunities — COVID-19 slowed traditional weaving, but it sparked the idea for Planet 3R.
- Engaged her Community — Adejoke got locals involved in collecting and recycling waste, building a movement around her mission.
- Never Stopped Learning — She formed partnerships and trained others to spread her impact even further.
- Grew with Purpose — Beyond profit, she focused on creating jobs and inspiring other young people to get involved.
Adejoke Lasisi’s journey shows that even the toughest challenges can lead to positive change. Her story is a reminder that with passion, creativity, and community, you can turn waste into wonder — and dreams into reality.
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