Kenya - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Hamara Africa Energy is a last-mile distributor of cleaner, affordable, & efficient cooking energy (LPG) in communities located in rural and marginalized areas using a pay-as-you-go model with as littles as $5 per month

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

Hamara Africa Energy is a social enterprise for profit that focuses on the adoption of cleaner, affordable, efficient, and reliable clean cooking energy in rural and marginalized areas of Kenya. Our business focuses on communities in the last mile, where we ensure that they can acquire a clean cooking set that uses LPG, access refills, and is also able to contribute to carbon credits by saving more trees. , Our model is customer-dependent on customers as we allow a rent-to-own model where the customer pays in installments until they own the products. More so, we provide energy-efficient cooking appliances that, in combination, ensure that a customer saves up to 37% on clean cooking. We don't just transform kitchens; we transform lives too

01.02 What is the main problem you are trying to solve?

The problem Hamara Africa Energy is trying to solve is the lack of access to cleaner, affordable, and efficient cooking energy in rural and marginalized areas of Kenya by reducing the high initial cost of purchase and refill. Moreso, fuel stalking occurs in our homes. This lack of access leads to several issues, including: Health problems arise from the use of traditional cooking methods, such as burning wood or dung, that produce harmful smoke that contributes to respiratory illnesses. Environmental damage: traditional cooking methods do contribute to deforestation as people cut down trees for firewood. Economic hardship that will eliminate the high cost of traditional cooking fuels can strain household budgets. Hamara Africa Energy's solution is to provide clean cooking sets that use LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) to these communities. LPG is a cleaner burning fuel that produces less smoke and is more efficient than traditional methods. Hamara Africa Energy also makes these cooking se

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your startup provides (at least 3).

Traditional cooking methods do produce dangerous fumes, causing respiratory problems our clean cooking sets, fueled by LPG, burn significantly cleaner, reducing health risks and creating a safer, more pleasant cooking environment. Traditional methods often rely on firewood, leading to deforestation, soil erosion, and a decline in biodiversity. Our solution translates to less deforestation and a smaller environmental footprint. Plus, our rent-to-own model makes clean cooking affordable, freeing up your hard-earned money for other necessities. Accessibility of LPG and energy-efficient appliances can be a hurdle in rural and marginalized areas, our solutions ensures reliable, timely access and as close as to the customer as possible

01.04 Please describe who exactly your startup’s product/service is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our product and service are directed towards households in the rural areas. These households rely on firewood, coal, and fuel stalking depending on seasons and economic situations, Where there is money they use different fuel mode. These household can afford a minimum of $15 a month to afford both our products/ service and refill service for sustainability.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-03-21

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

Yes

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

2

01.08 Among the other owners, how many are female?

0

01.09 Please describe the profile of the other owners within your startup (skills, experience, etc.)

- Steve Andrews is a seasoned entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience leading businesses, ten of which were focused on last-mile distribution of clean energy products in rural Africa. He is passionate about clean and renewable energy and environmental sustainability. He is driven by a deep desire to create positive change in Africa through sustainable business practices

01.10 If you have a website, a social media page (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin…), or app, please provide the link(s) here:

https://hamara-africa.co.ke/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/hamara-africa-energy/

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

a) Energy (equipment, services, sustainable energy and fuel)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

3

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

02.03.01 My startup contributes to the Good health and well-being goal

2

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification for my startup

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

2

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification for my startup

02.05.01 My startup contributes to the Gender equality goal

2

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification for my startup

02.06.01 My startup contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

Transitioning households to cleaner cooking: Hamara Africa reduces dependence on polluting fuels, creating cleaner air, especially important for rural communities often shrouded in smoke. Last-mile distribution: We ensure accessibility by reaching remote areas typically lacking infrastructure for clean energy solutions. This expands access to clean cooking for those who wouldn't have it otherwise. Pay-as-you-go Model: The innovative payment plan removes upfront cost barriers, making clean energy solutions affordable for low-income households. This empowers them to adopt cleaner cooking methods. Overall, Hamara Africa's work directly addresses the core objectives of SDG #7 by promoting access to affordable and clean energy for rural Kenyans, contributing to a healthier environment and economic development.

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

2

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

2

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

2

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Hamara Africa's focus on clean and efficient cooking solutions aligns with SDG #12's goals of sustainable production and consumption by reducing reliance on unsustainable resources and promoting responsible use of energy.

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

02.15.01 My startup contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification for my startup

02.16.01 My startup contributes to the Peace Justice and Strong Institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace Justice and Strong Institutions- Justification for my startup

02.17.01 My startup contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification for my startup

06.01 There are a large number of customers who already use a product/service very similar to the product/service we envision creating.

4

06.02 The product/service represents an entirely new type of product/service.

3

06.03 The product/service could be described as a new technology.

3

06.04 The product/service is an improvement on an existing product or service.

3

06.05 The product/service could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

3

06.06 The product/service responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

3

06.07 The product/service is a new version of an old product/service.

4

06.08 Justification for my startup

THe products used have been in existence before at high cost. Our model is the innovative one that we have applied and helped lower upfront cost of adoption of clean cooking energy.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

In the market space there are key players especially cash sales, and recently M-gas. However these don't pose as huge competitors and Hamara focusses on rural and marginalized areas where there are no players. The challenge we face is more on adoption process due to heavy reliance of firewood and coal

11.05 Are you initiating actions within your community to promote the role of female entrepreneurs?

By ensuring we work with women, who are key stakeholders in the adoption of cleaner cooking in households and community. Our team of Agents (Over 50) are all women who have ensured the success of Hamara in transitioning communities to cleaner cooking energy.