Joshua Ichor, a Nigerian social entrepreneur and founder of Geotek Water Solutions, has won the 2025 Global Citizen Waislitz Grand Prize Award (People’s Choice Award), which honours individuals advancing innovative solutions to end extreme poverty.
Joshua Ichor won the People’s Choice Award for his work building solar-powered water kiosks and monitoring systems in conflict-affected communities. His innovations have provided clean water to over 100,000 people.
Osei Boateng, Founder and Executive Director of Ghana’s OKB Hope Foundation, was named the Waislitz Grand Prize Winner.
Boateng, a healthcare entrepreneur motivated by personal loss, runs mobile health vans offering care to underserved rural communities.
Alex Waislitz, Chairman and Founder of the Waislitz Foundation stated:
“This year’s recipients…exemplify the extraordinary impact and innovation we set out to recognize and support.”
Maryanne Gichanga, Co-Founder and CEO of Kenya’s AgriTech Analytics, received the Disruptor Award for her AI-powered soil health and pest detection technology aimed at transforming yields for smallholder farmers.
“We’re proud to celebrate this year’s winners,” said Global Citizen CEO Hugh Evans. “Their work is a powerful reminder that meaningful progress most often comes from community-driven solutions.”
Each recipient received $100,000 to scale their work, with the awards totaling $300,000 annually.
Since 2014, the program has recognized 32 changemakers across 15 countries.
“This year’s recipients…are creating sustainable, transformative impact in their communities and beyond,” added Waislitz.
