A functioning wind turbine built from blue gum trees, bicycle parts, and materials salvaged from a local scrapyard brought William Kamkwamba national attention in 2001. Developed in Wimbe, Malawi, the device powered electrical appliances in his family home during a period of severe regional famine, marking the beginning of his trajectory as a recognized inventor and engineer.
Education and Early Innovation
Born in 1987 in Dowa, Kamkwamba grew up in a peasant family in Masitala. In 2001, he dropped out of Kanchokolo secondary school because his parents could not afford the annual tuition of 80 US dollars. Seeking to continue learning, he frequented a local library, where he read a book titled Using Energy. This discovery led him to experiment with electronics and successfully construct a wind turbine using a dynamo. Later, he gained access to the African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 2008 to 2010, before graduating with a bachelor's degree from Dartmouth College in 2014.
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Beyond his initial turbine, Kamkwamba designed a solar-powered water pump that provided his village with its first source of drinking water. He eventually built two additional wind turbines, including one in Lilongwe, the capital of Malawi. To formalize his efforts, he founded the non-profit Moving Windmills Project in 2008. The organization focuses on regional development in Kasungu and across Malawi by building low-cost wells, installing solar-powered pumps, and providing learning materials and facilities to local schools, aiming to mitigate the impacts of future food insecurity.
Global Recognition
In 2006, The Daily Times in Blantyre covered his inventions, leading to international exposure through the blogosphere. He participated in TEDGlobal 2007 in Arusha, Tanzania, and the 2009 Maker Faire Africa in Ghana. His life was documented in the film William and the Windmill, which secured the Grand Jury Prize at the 2013 South By Southwest festival. In 2019, his memoir, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, was adapted into a film directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor. Throughout his career, he has received the 2010 GO Ingenuity Award and the 2010 Corine Literature Prize.
Fast facts
- Born: 1987, Malawi
- Citizenship: Malawi
- Education: Dartmouth College, African Leadership Academy, African Bible Colleges
- Awards: GO Ingenuity Award (2010), Corine Literature Prize (2010)
- Languages: English, Spanish, Chewa
- Notable Organization: Moving Windmills Project
Questions readers ask
What inspired William Kamkwamba to build a wind turbine?
He was inspired by a book titled Using Energy which he discovered in a local school library while attempting to maintain his education during a famine.
What is the primary goal of the Moving Windmills Project?
The project aims to support sustainable farming, nutrition, community programs, and access to clean water and education to prevent future famines in Malawi.
Achievements
- Educated at Dartmouth College, African Bible Colleges and African Leadership Academy
- Worked as inventor, writer and electronician
