Surafel Belay

In the arid landscape of the Afar Region, an invasive plant called Prosopis (locally known as woyane) has long been a challenge for farmers and pastoralists. Surafel, a young innovator, saw opportunity where others saw a problem. Using his intellect and determination, he developed a process to convert Prosopis into durable building bricks creating a low-cost, eco-friendly construction material while helping to control the spread of the invasive species.

After completing the Green Future Africa training, Justicia Media and the British Embassy provided Surafel with a designing laptop to help him refine his brick models, create technical drawings, and promote his innovation to potential buyers and construction companies. Today, Surafel’s bricks are gaining attention as a sustainable alternative for housing and infrastructure.