New York Times bestselling author, TED Fellow, IDEO.org Global Fellow, co-founder of Moving Windmills Project

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William Kamkwamba has a story that reaches back.

 
 

“William Kamkwamba’s achievements…should serve as a model of what one person, with an inspired idea, can do to tackle the crisis we face.”

-Al Gore, former US Vice President and Nobel Laureate

 
 

William’s inspiring story is told in his New York Times bestselling memoir The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind, co-authored with Bryan Mealer, and in the Netflix film adaptation, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, which was awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the 2019 Sundance Film festival. William’s autobiography has sold more than 1 million copies and been translated into nearly twenty languages worldwide.

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A Dartmouth College graduate, William is an entrepreneur, TED Fellow, and has worked with the design firm IDEO.org and the WiderNet Project. An adamant believer in the power of human-centered design and experienced farmer, William has consulted on projects developing agricultural technology in Myanmar, public sanitation solutions in India, and supporting victims of gender-based violence in Kenya.

William co-founded the Moving Windmills Project, which empowers Malawian youth to implement simple technologies that ease daily burdens.

Currently, William is designing an Innovation Center in Kasungu where young people can find the tools and mentorship to increase crop yields and lead more secure lives.

 

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An inspiring journey, now told through film

The Netflix film adaptation, directed by Chiwetel Ejiofor, was awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Prize at the Sundance Film festival. Filmed in William’s home village, the film co-stars Aïssa Maïga and Maxwell Simba in Ejiofor’s directorial debut.

 

Testimonials

  • “THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND is the inspiring story of a young man in Africa who used the only resources available to him to build a windmill and elevate the lives and spirits of those in his community. William Kamkwamba’s achievements with wind energy should serve as a model of what one person, with an inspired idea, can do to tackle the crisis we face. His book tells a moving and exciting story.”

    — Al Gore, former Vice President and Nobel Laureate

  • "This is an amazing, inspiring, and heartwarming story! It's about harnessing the power not just of the wind but of imagination and ingenuity. Those are the most important forces we have for saving the planet. William Kamkwamba is a hero for our age."

    — Walter Isaacson, author, Einstein: His Life and Universe

  • "In this book, the spirit, resilience and resourcefulness that are Africa's greatest strengths shine through. My heart was gripped by the tale of how William's family pulled through the famine, and it was lifted up by the tale of how his determination brought light to his home and hope to his village. THE BOY WHO HARNESSED THE WIND is a remarkable story about a remarkable young man and his inquisitive and inventive mind."

    —Amy Smith, Founder, D Lab, MIT

  • "If we can develop more innovative leaders like William, Africa will finally stand on its own two feet."

    —Fred Swaniker, Founder & CEO, African Leadership Academy

  • "This book is inspirational. What William did took nothing more than initiative and a little learning, yet he changed his village and his life. There's never been a better time to Do It Yourself, and I love how much we can learn from those who often have no other choice."

    —Chris Anderson, author, Free: The Future of a Radical Price and editor-in-chief of WIRED

  • "William met hundreds of students, signed hundreds of books, and managed to make every single student feel as if he had all the time in the world to speak with them. William has inspired a number of our students to become much more involved in their communities, working at the grass roots level to create more "green" power devices.

    —Janet Hardin, Pellissippi State Community College

  • "William Kamkwamba is easily the most compelling, inspiring, and genuine speaker that I've ever heard or worked with. His talk will move people to imagine a better and brighter future for themselves and others. "

    —John Cary, University of Minnesota College of Design

  • “William Kamkwamba is the most inspiring human being I have ever met. A calm and bright demeanor mask an almost unfathomable drive to achieve goals that others would write off as impossible. After hearing him talk, it is hard to see any obstacle as insurmountable.”

    —Dave Callahan, Sonos

 
 

Inspiring a generation of creative problem-solvers

William co-founded Moving Windmills Project in 2008 to work in partnership with young Malawian’s and co-create solutions that change lives.

Moving Windmills is founded on the principles of systemic transformation. Sustainable development happens where basic needs are met, and people are given the grace, freedom, and support to fail and try again.

Moving Windmills envisions a future where talented youth design and co- create solutions that respond to real needs, from Malawi to the world

Recent Media

  • Red Bull Amaphiko Academy

    William Kamkwamba is no longer 'just' a builder of windmills, he is passionate about supporting the next generation of African innovators

    Read

  • Dartmouth College Call to Lead

    “Nowadays the laughter you hear when William Kamkwamba speaks is joyful—the sound of people working together, getting things done. “We are creating an environment where everyone can speak and everyone can contribute. For me, I want to see more spaces in the world where this kind of collaboration happens organically.”

    Read

  • The TED Stage

    After reading about William on Mike McKay's blog Hactivate, TEDGlobal Conference Director Emeka Okafor spent several weeks tracking him down at his home in Wimbe, Kasungu and invited William to attend TEDGlobal on a fellowship. Onstage, Kamkwamba talked about his invention and shared his dreams

    Watch

  • The Man Behind the Netflix drama

    When Malawi was devastated by famine, William was just a schoolboy. His solution? To create power by inventing a windmill from scrap. Now his journey is told in a film

    Read

  • Trailblazers with Walter Isaacson

    Poverty is a challenge facing over one billion people across the globe so, as far as challenges go, this is a big one. All across the developing world, inspired trailblazers are finding innovative ways to use technology new and old to help lift people out of poverty.

    Listen

  • Malawi AgTech Challenge

    William and Moving Windmills partner in a nationwide search for innovative smallholder farmers. Young Malawians received hands-on mentoring on their designs for efficient groundnut harvesting.

    Read

  • World Bank Group Spring Meetings

    As part of the World Bank Group and International Monetary Fund’s Global Voices Interview Series, they interview William Kamkwamba, Malawian innovator and author, about his life story, and the book and film, “The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind”.

    Watch

  • Time Magazine's 30 Under 30

    30 Under 30 Changing the World

    The attention William’s work has garnered has inspired projects across Malawi and throughout the world.

    Read

A remarkable success story about the power of human ingenuity in the face of crippling odds

 

William’s journey will inspire anyone who doubts the power of one individual to change the world. His message of hope and resilience has captured the hearts and spirits of audiences across the globe