Cameroon - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Muyang Corner (MC) is an e-commerce website that facilitates the sales of locally produced eco-friendly building materials, secondary transform Agric-products in Cameroon and promotes circular economy through e-waste collection, assembly and upcycling.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Muyang Corner is an e-commerce platform that aims to promote local production and the circular economy in Cameroon. It provides an online marketplace for small to medium businesses to sell eco-friendly building materials like recycled cement blocks produce with melted plastics & sand, bamboo structures, and charcoal briquettes made from agricultural/home waste. The platform also operates physical collection centers where e-waste is gathered, disassembled, and upcycled into new products for sale. Profits support skills training to create green jobs. By providing an outlet for locally-produced green building materials and recycled products, Muyang Corner supports industrialization while fostering entrepreneurship and empowering communities through sustainable waste management.

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

The main problem Muyang Corner seeks to address is Cameroon's lack of an organized circular economy system for e-waste and construction materials. Some key challenges include: Improper disposal of e-waste is contaminating environments and harming communities due to the absence of regulated collection/processing centers. Much of this waste are dumped in landfills thus polluting soil & water. The felling of forest wood for construction, contributing to deforestation and high material costs. There are fewer options for green, locally-produced alternatives. Small businesses lack avenues to sell eco-friendly products and compete in the building supply sector. While startups are developing green materials, it remains difficult to market and distribute them at scale. By establishing a sustainable platform for e-waste recovery/upcycling, promoting locally-made green building materials, and giving entrepreneurs useful tools to succeed, MC will attain it's objectives.

01.03 Tell us the major benefits and/or advantages of using the product/service that your project intends to provide (at least 3).

Muyang Corner provides important environmental and economic advantages for Cameroon. Through establishing waste collection and upcycling centers, the platform will protect communities and landscapes by sustainably diverting e-waste and other recyclables from landfills and illegal dumping. This prevents harmful pollution that contaminates soil and water sources. By finding new life for discarded materials, Muyang Corner supports the circular economy and reduces reliance on raw material extraction. Economically, channeling investment into locally-produced goods retains more value within Cameroon rather than exports. Sales of eco-construction supplies and agricultural products through the e-commerce marketplace strengthen domestic industries and jobs. Profits will fund skills training programs, further growing the workforce as small businesses learning recycling techniques or production help transition society toward environmentally-conscious operations.

01.04 Please describe who exactly your project is aimed at serving. Who are the targeted beneficiaries?

Our goal is to serve all of Cameroon society through a circular e-commerce model that spurs inclusive economic development and better environmental stewardship from the ground up. Thus our platform and services primarily benefit three key groups in Cameroon: Agric-transformation businesses, Eco-friendly Construction Advocates, and Communities. We aim to support the first two with an online marketplace which will permit them to market and sell agricultural products and green building materials to a national customer base. Lastly, at a grassroots level, we'll empower local communities through e-waste collection centers that create green jobs while keeping water and soil uncontaminated.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-01-21

01.06 How many other partners are associated with your business venture?

2

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

1

01.08 Please describe the profile of each of the other partners (skills, experience, etc.)

JATO DIVINE NJESHU (COO): With 3+ years experience managing supply chains and local distribution for electronic shops in Cameroon, JATO brings extensive logistics expertise to serve as COO. He has a Bachelor's degree in Computer Engineering from the University of Bamenda. His technical skills and in-depth local industry knowledge ensure efficient operations critical to Muyang Corner's eco-friendly marketplace. FRANCHETTE EBOT (Enviro Advisor): As a Senior Environmental Analyst with a Ph.D. in Environmental Science, Franchette is a subject matter expert guiding Muyang Corner's sustainability strategy. She has consulted globally on circular economy initiatives and pioneered community recycling programs across Africa. Franchette's research on eco-industrial systems and behavioral interventions inspires innovative solutions. Her role maximizes positive social and environmental impact. As an award-winning social entrepreneur, she is a role model for inspiring green entrepreneurship.

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

https://muyangcorner.com/management-of-non-biodegradable-waste

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

b) Materials (agriculture, fishing, chemical products, construction materials, containers and packaging, metals and mining, paper and forest products)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Through its e-commerce platform, Muyang Corner directly addresses poverty in Cameroon by connecting smallholder farmers and green entrepreneurs to a larger customer base. This larger market access allows these small businesses involved in agricultural transformation and eco-construction materials to grow their income levels on a sustainable basis. By empowering agricultural SMEs to add more value to their produce through processing and packaging for online sales nationwide, Muyang Corner helps improve livelihoods and lift vulnerable communities out of poverty.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

6

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

By facilitating online sales of agricultural goods produced through sustainable practices, Muyang Corner directly promotes food security in Cameroon. The profits generated for partner small businesses will be reinvested into skills training programs that teach farmers modern, eco-friendly cultivation techniques focused on optimizing annual yields. This training ensures agricultural outputs keep pace with nutrition needs. Additionally, the platform provides training on secondary processing of farm produce into value-added products through affordable post-harvest solutions. Such agricultural transformation extends the shelf-life of outputs and prevents waste, thus supporting SDG 12 on responsible production and consumption while helping to end hunger.

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

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

By establishing e-waste collection and recycling centers, Muyang Corner directly addresses environmental health issues facing Cameroonian communities. Large-scale dumping of discarded electronics leaches harmful chemicals like mercury and lead into water sources and soil used for agriculture. These toxins ultimately enter the human food chain and can cause serious illnesses. Our approach diverting e-waste from landfills and waterways into regulated dismantling and material recovery processes protects health by preventing contamination of resources. Recycling wounded parts prevents further chemical leaching and ensures public spaces remain free from hazardous materials. This safeguards people's access to safe drinking water and organic produce essential for nourishment and wellness.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Muyang Corner directly impacts quality education through skills training programs that teach agricultural entrepreneurs, farmers, and local communities important techniques focused on sustainability. By offering informal, affordably-priced workshops on modern organic cultivation practices, efficient post-harvest handling methods, and value addition processes for agro-based goods, Muyang Corner is improving livelihoods through locally relevant vocational education. The career-oriented skills gained help establish green small businesses, thus increasing standards of living. Our platform also trains youth in e-waste dismantling skills and recycling center operations, fostering technical expertise to establish sustainable local industries in line with Cameroon's economic goals.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

By establishing responsible e-waste disposal infrastructure, Muyang Corner directly tackles water pollution issues in Cameroon. Unregulated dumping of electronics like mobile phones and circuit boards introduces toxic chemicals such as lead and mercury into waterways through runoff. Left unchecked, this contaminationcompromises access to safe drinking water sources and endangers public health. By collecting e-waste through our recycling centers, dismantling materials through trained technicians, and reintroducing separated components back into the economy, our approach prevents harmful leakage into soil and rivers. This protects communities who rely on natural water sources for daily needs. Our sustainable solution safeguards access to clean water and proper sanitation for all.

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Through our e-waste recycling program, Muyang Corner directly supports access to reliable renewable energy sources. Lithium-ion batteries extracted from old electronic devices will be reused to assemble affordable, portable power banks run on clean energy. These will be marketed in off-grid rural areas lacking a connection to Cameroon's national electricity system. By giving farmers, entrepreneurs and families a sustainable power solution, we improve energy independence and productivity for those most vulnerable. Our social business model ensures a cleaner energy alternative to toxic fuels currently used in remote communities. This approach promotes energy self-sufficiency through recycled materials while advancing SDG 7 of affordable and clean energy for all.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

Muyang Corner enables sustainable economic activity and job creation across Cameroon. Farmers, manufacturers and retailers leveraging our e-commerce platform to reach new customers will see increased profits and revenue. This affords partner businesses opportunities to scale production and operations, thereby generating more full-time or part-time employment from improved cash flows. By facilitating national market access for agricultural SMEs and eco-construction entrepreneurs, our model institutionally supports higher incomes and improved livelihoods on a local scale. This grassroots economic empowerment spurs horizontal business expansion and job multiplication over the long term, directly advancing decent work standards and inclusive growth at the national level in line with SDG 8.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

By establishing e-waste recycling centers, Muyang Corner directly supports new sustainable industries and innovation in Cameroon. No large-scale e-waste processing currently exists nationally, so our social enterprise model introduces much needed circular infrastructure through collection points and facilities. By advancing techniques to dismantle electronics and reintroduce separated materials back into local manufacturing, we speed technical progress. Our simultaneous efforts promoting eco-construction materials as an affordable modern option also fosters innovation across Cameroon's infrastructure landscape. Connecting ethically-minded artisans to new clients further drives creativity in building practices. Overall, Muyang Corner advances SDG 9 by laying foundations for future industrial development through pioneering logistics in recycling and encouragement of greener building supplies.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

By providing convenient e-waste collection across Cameroon, Muyang Corner works to clean public spaces and keep urban environments free from hazardous electronic dumpsites. This enhances public well-being. Through educating builders and consumers on sustainably-sourced eco-materials, our circular marketplace model advocates infrastructure development practices protecting local biodiversity and watersheds. By diverting waste like plastic and metals from landfills, we make cities more resilient by closing loops in their material flows. These grassroots efforts simultaneously promote inclusive green economic activity within communities. Overall, Muyang Corner's social mission tackles SDG 11 by supporting healthier, safer, and greener urban solutions through responsible consumption solutions and partnership with artisanal suppliers.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

Muyang Corner directly supports more sustainable production and consumption patterns nationally. Through skills workshops teaching modern processing techniques, we aim to curb the high post-harvest losses troubled smallholders face by extending shelf-lives of perishable goods. Less wastage means increased incomes and food security over the long term. Our model simultaneously promotes responsible consumption by connecting ethically-minded buyers with locally-made green alternatives to imported options. This encourages demand for sustainable production practices up and down environmentally progressive supply chains. Overall, Muyang Corner advances SDG 12 through tackling inefficiency and cultivating circular supply chains respectful of natural resource limits.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

By fostering environmentally friendly production through our social enterprise, Muyang Corner directly works to limit climate change impacts in Cameroon. Promoting sustainable agriculture helps strengthen ecosystem resilience against temperature and weather variability. Our promotion of greener building techniques using eco-friendly local materials supports low-carbon development across infrastructure. Moreover, establishing e-waste recycling removes hazardous chemicals from leaching into soil and water, decreasing emissions of toxins driving global warming. Overall, through sustainable business solutions, skills training and enabling green consumption, we institutionally mainstream climate awareness and empower communities on the frontlines of climate change to participate in carbon neutral economic opportunities.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

4

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

4

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

02.16.01 My project contributes to the Peace justice and strong institutions goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Muyang Corner was designed as an impactful, collaborative social project from the start. To make sustainable, systemic change across Cameroon's economy and communities, forging strategic alliances is crucial. We actively partner with grassroots organizations supporting farmers and artisans, sharing resources and knowledge. Local government buy-in through MOUs facilitates uptake of our green programs. Cross-sector integration involving regulators and industry peers optimizes our recycling infrastructure. Importantly, the people directly participating in our e-commerce marketplace and training initiatives become valued implementation partners every step of the way. This multi-stakeholder approach exemplifies SDG 17 by ensuring accountability, ownership and coordination amplifies outcomes through united efforts towards environmental and social progress.

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

3

05.02 The product/service we envision creating represents an entirely new type of product/service.

5

05.03 The product/service we envision creating could be described as a new technology.

3

05.04 The product/service we envision creating is an improvement on an existing product or service.

6

05.05 The product/service we envision creating could be described as an extension of a range of products or services.

5

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

7 - Strongly Agree

05.07 The product/service we envision creating is a new version of an old product/service.

4

05.08 Justification

While certain components parallel existing models, Muyang Corner's integrated regional approach pioneers several meaningful innovations. Its hyperlocal stakeholder collaboration reimagines top-down development by empowering communities as co-creators from ideation onward. This grounded design ensures interactive solutions authentically addressing needs overlooked elsewhere. Networking complementary roles into a cooperative ecosystem optimized for shared societal/environmental impact also innovates on standard industry compartmentalization that limits scope. Muyang Corner qualitatively improves circumstances by synergizing these interwoven parts into a sophisticated mutual-gain whole. Ongoing regionalization further innovates over static models, as contextualization identifies nuanced applications unlocking ever-greater community multiplier effects. This future-focused refinement culture positions Muyang Corner to iteratively solve problems in a changing world through community-led resi

05.09 Who are your main potential competitors and what makes you stand out from them?

Kacafoo - An e-commerce marketplace connecting Cameroonian artisans with local and international markets. While they have an online presence, Muyang Corner distinguishes itself through its hands-on community development model and focus on circular local economies. Renewell: A large waste recycling nonprofit in Cameroon operating nationally. While they have scale, MC stands out through its localized grassroots design allowing deeper community connections and rural outreach. Wecyclers - A waste management social enterprise operating in major Cameroonian cities. Muyang Corner expands access to rural stakeholders by empowering neighborhood-level circular solutions from grassroots collection to training in reuse applications.

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

Yes, I have been actively promoting the role of female entrepreneurs within my community here in Cameroon. Some of the actions I've taken include: Partnering with local organizations like the Cameroon Women's Fund to hold workshops educating women on entrepreneurship opportunities. We covered topics like business planning, leadership skills, and accessing financing. Reaching out to universities to invite successful alumna entrepreneurs to speak to female students about their journeys. This helped spark interest and provided role models. Leveraging my network of clients and partners to identify and submit 27 high-potential women-led startups from Cameroon to the current WE4A accelerator program. If accepted, this could help scale their businesses. Lastly, on the MC project I have successfully trained all employees (with more focus on women) to transition to "INTRAPRENEURS"