Uganda - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Revolutionizing construction with our innovative Eco-friendly building material. Mixing cement with agricultural waste reduces carbon emissions and lowers construction costs, creating sustainable and affordable solutions for the building industry.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Uganda, a young and rapidly developing country, faces significant challenges in affordable construction due to high costs. Additionally, environmental degradation and deforestation are rampant due to traditional building practices. Our project, Wadda Eco, addresses these issues by revolutionizing the construction industry with innovative, eco-friendly building materials. We utilize agricultural waste, converting it into biochar through controlled burning processes. Biochar, a powerful carbon sequencer, is then mixed with cement to neutralize carbon emissions. This results in the creation of eco-friendly bricks that are both sustainable and cost-effective. These bricks eliminate the need for deforestation and land degradation, offering superior water retention, insulation properties, and lighter weight compared to conventional bricks. Furthermore, our approach benefits farmers with an additional income stream. By sourcing crop waste from farmers, we prevent this waste from polluting

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

we are tackling the global challenge of climate change through innovative construction practices. Buildings are being constructed at an unprecedented rate, contributing significantly to carbon emissions and environmental degradation. With trees take years to regrow while buildings go up in weeks. Our solution leverages agricultural waste, converting it into biochar, a powerful carbon sequencer, mixed with cement to create eco-friendly bricks that neutralize carbon emissions, making construction a game changer in the fight against climate change. we reduce construction costs, high costs have been a barrier to development, and by providing a cheaper alternative, we enable more people to construct homes and buildings without compromising quality or sustainability. We boost the income of rural farmers by sourcing agricultural waste, which is often a disposal problem. By addressing climate change, reducing construction costs and farmers' incomes, we create a holistic solution for society

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

Wadda Eco addresses climate change by revolutionizing construction with eco-friendly materials. Our innovative bricks, made from agricultural waste and biochar, offer three key benefits: Carbon Sequestration: Our bricks neutralize greenhouse gases, mitigating climate change by significantly reducing carbon emissions. Weather Resilience: With superior water retention and insulating properties, our bricks are adaptable to all weather conditions, enhancing building durability and efficiency. Affordability: By lowering construction costs, we make building affordable for everyone in Uganda, fostering inclusive development. Wadda Eco creates a sustainable, cost-effective, and climate-friendly construction solution.

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

Our target audience includes environmentally conscious individuals, the construction industry, the oil and gas sector, and low-income earners in Uganda and globally. Wadda Eco provides a sustainable, cost-effective, and climate-friendly construction solution, appealing to those dedicated to environmental preservation and economic accessibility.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-02-01

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

3

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.)

1. Nabukenya Sandra Co-founder Procurement and Logistics Front desk manager at Africa Renewal ministries. Good with organizational structure and Finance management. 2. Ignatius Bulega Co-founder Environmental Journalist and researcher. Head of production at Dee media 4. Steven Karanja A producer with Outsource television Marketing/ Grant seeker

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

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

k) Property (real estate)

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

We are to employ over 5 young people for the start but we hope to employ more and offer them skills, and over 200 farmers with more focus on women cause women are the backbone of families in this era

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

When we create jobs for farmers and young people they will be in a position to support their families. and also we shall provide them with knowledge of inter cropping as well as vertical farming and also provide fertilizers for them from our Biochar. so with all these initiatives we won't leave anyone behind

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

We plan to Agree with all our stakeholders in this to have a fee we deduct from farmers and workers and we open up an insurance cover for all of them. But also we shall try rebuild them houses out of our product which will help them have a healthy environment causes of its carbon sequencing and among others

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The income streams will help people in the area to take their children to schools and also we shall give scholarships to the less previllaged

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Our major focus is on Women and girls, So those to work with us will be given priority and those supplying women and girls will be encouraged more.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

We shall dig a borehole for the community to provide safe and clean water for the families and we are also looking at partnering with different organizations to make safe water available for the communities

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

4

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

We shall buy raw materials from farmers for them to earn a living so that they support their families with basic needs and also we intend to employ young people in the community to lift their standards of living.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Our innovation is resilient and strong and it's fostering innovation in the construction sector which will be used by anyone without discrimination of colour or gender

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Yes we shall employ or support everyone from supplying raw materials to community outreaches and projects which will be for everyone in the community

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

4

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

This projects goal is to mitigate climate change through revolutionizing construction

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

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

We are advocates for the environment and our innovation helps as an alternative to remove pressure for the forests hence combating desertification

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

4

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

4

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

05.08 Justification

Our core innovation lies in the integrative use of agricultural waste to produce eco-friendly building materials. Instead of relying on traditional materials that contribute to environmental degradation, we repurpose agricultural by-products, transforming them into biochar. This biochar is then mixed with cement to create durable, sustainable bricks. This process not only reduces waste but also repurposes it into valuable construction materials, addressing both waste management and construction needs simultaneously. One of the most innovative aspects of our product is its ability to sequester carbon. Biochar, produced from agricultural waste, acts as a powerful carbon sink. When integrated into our bricks, it helps neutralize greenhouse gas emissions, significantly mitigating climate change. This dual benefit of waste repurposing and carbon sequestration makes our bricks a unique solution in the construction industry. Affordability is a cornerstone of our innovation.

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

My competitors are the interlocking blocks which are made out of soil and cement. So I stand out in different ways I don't need to degrade land to make my brick but only waste from gardens like leaves maize combs and grass among others. So that makes me a solution to the environment compared to my competitor.

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

yes