Tonye Irims

Tonye Irims (born December 2, 1970) is a Nigerian entrepreneur author[1] and the founder and CEO of WiSolar, a South Africa-based clean energy company specializing in prepaid solar electricity solutions.[2][3] He is recognized for pioneering the "Solar-as-a-Service" model in Africa, providing affordable and scalable solar energy access to underserved communities.[4][5]

In 2024, he was featured in Forbes Africa's "Small Giants" list, highlighting his contributions to clean energy in Africa.[6][7]

Early Life and Education

Irims was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Nigeria, to Captain B.T. Irimagha, a master mariner, and Mrs. Muriel Irimagha, a businesswoman of royal Bonny Kingdom descent as the first of six children.[8][9]

He attended Corona Nursery & Primary School in Apapa and Imola Day Primary School in Alasia, Lagos. He completed his secondary education at Command Secondary School in Jos and later earned a degree in marketing from the University of Port Harcourt.[10] In pursuit of his interest in clean energy, he studied Clean Power at Imperial College London and also completed a Blockchain specialization at INSEAD.[11]

Career

Early career

At the age of 23, Irims moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, where he undertook various menial jobs before securing a sales position at a houseware company. He later ventured into commercial modeling and met Nigerian businessman Dr. Mike Adenuga, under whom he volunteered, gaining valuable business insights and expanding his network.[12]

Entrepreneurial Ventures

In 2006, Irims founded Wikiglobal in Johannesburg, introducing the first dual SIM semi-feature phones with the nucleus O.S. Despite initial challenges, the venture laid the groundwork for his future entrepreneurial endeavors.[13] In 2011, he attempted to launch a social payment app, FriendsChip, in the United States, but the project did not succeed.[14]

WiSolar

In 2016, Irims founded WiSolar, a company focused on providing prepaid solar electricity solutions. The company offers a "Solar-as-a-Service" model, allowing users to purchase solar energy per kilowatt-hour through mobile apps or recharge vouchers, making solar energy more accessible and affordable.[15]

Under his leadership, WiSolar has expanded its reach across Africa, partnering with organizations like Ooba Home Loans and LG to enhance its offerings. The company has been recognized for its innovation in clean energy and was awarded the 2020 MEA Business Award for Most Innovative Clean Energy Company in Africa.[16]

References

  1. ↑ Michael, Chisom (2026-03-26). "Tonye Irims book explains prepaid architecture, reducing risk, barriers". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  2. ↑ "Small Giants: Nigerian Entrepreneur On The Power Of Solar And Staying Innovative". www.forbesafrica.com. 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  3. ↑ "African Tech Journal - Spotlighting Africa's Tech Stories". www.africantechjournal.com. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  4. ↑ Michael, Chisom (2024-09-07). "How Nigeria's Tonye Irims turned off WiMobile to power Africa with WiSolar". BusinessDay. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  5. ↑ Benson, Emmanuel Abara (2022-02-02). "EXCLUSIVE: After two failed ventures, Tonye Irims is now positioning his cleantech startup WiSolar as a Pan-African green digital utility for electricity". Business Insider Africa. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  6. ↑ "Small Giants: Nigerian Entrepreneur On The Power Of Solar And Staying Innovative". www.forbesafrica.com. 2024-06-25. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  7. ↑ Adesanya, Adedapo (2025-05-01). "Tonye Irims Positions WiSolar at Centre of Africa's Clean Energy Drive". Business Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2026-06-10.
  8. ↑ Okwumbu-Imafidon, Ruth (2022-01-02). "Tonye Irims: Growing WiSolar into a multi-million dollar business after almost selling it for peanuts". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  9. ↑ A, Olumide (2022-01-12). "Tonye Irims' biography: What to know about the Nigerian behind WiSolar - Kemi Filani News". Kemi Filani. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  10. ↑ Okwumbu-Imafidon, Ruth (2022-01-02). "Tonye Irims: Growing WiSolar into a multi-million dollar business after almost selling it for peanuts". Nairametrics. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  11. ↑ "Nigerian Businessman Attacked In South Africa Offers Reward For Capture Of Assailants | Sahara Reporters". saharareporters.com. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  12. ↑ Fernandez, Michael (2021-04-09). "How Tonye Irims - Entrepreneur Overcame The Odds in South Africa". Daily Scan. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  13. ↑ Modise, Ephraim (2023-05-26). "Inside WiSolar's plans to alleviate SA's power troubles". TechCabal. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  14. ↑ Adesanya, Adedapo (2025-05-01). "Tonye Irims Positions WiSolar at Centre of Africa's Clean Energy Drive". Business Post. Lagos, Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  15. ↑ Okogba, Emmanuel (2024-12-27). "How Tonye Irims is turning solar into Africa's next big tech platform". Vanguard News. Retrieved 2025-05-14.
  16. ↑ Ameen, Wale. "Meet Tonye Irims, the CEO Who Rejected $1.5M to Protect the Climate". Business Elites Africa.
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