Meck Khalfan, CEO and co-founder of Puku, a revolutionary charger which can be used with mobile phones and similar USB electronic devices, sat down to speak with AFKInsider about product development. Conceptualized after coming across a similar product during New York City’s Hurricane Sandy, the charger was named after a species of Antelope known to survive in versatile conditions. In part one of the interview, Khalfan talks about finding partners to create the product and introducing it to African markets.

“We know that the biggest issue in Africa right now is power. Given Africa is moving to a mobile economy, where they use their phones to do so many financial transactions, whether it’s paying bills or sending money to their family and friends; they need to be charged,” Khalfan said about PUKU’s potential success on the continent. “They need their phones to be up for them to really get ahead.”