East African Waste to Value Accelerator launched supporting six start-ups

In Kenya, based on the aspiration to support enterprises and build the waste sector in East Africa, Bestseller Foundation in collaboration with Intellecap Africa launched the Waste to Value Challenge in December 2019. The Challenge was launched across four countries; Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and Rwanda, and received over 400 applications out of which six enterprises were finally selected.

The enterprises will be part of Bestseller Foundation’s first of its kind Waste to Value Accelerator and thus receive technical and financial support of up to $100,000 in the form of convertible debt, as needed. Intellecap will manage the accelerator and provide technical assistance to the enterprises over a period of eight months between August 2020 and March 2021. Each enterprise will undergo a customized support program.

Three of the companies participating include:

Zijani, a Kenyan start-up that reclaims used vegetable oil from bulk cooking institutions (such as hotels and restaurants) and supplies the cooking oil as raw material to other larger manufacturers of soap and biofuel.

Yo-Waste, a Ugandan smart waste management start-up that connects households and businesses to the nearest garbage collectors at the touch of a button.

Gjenge Makers, a Kenyan start-up that produces eco-friendly paving systems made from recycled plastic waste and sand.

Additional enterprises will be announced soon and will along with Zijani, Yo-Waste and Gjenge be featured on several occasions over the coming months.