Cameroon - Startup under 3 years old

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Peniang is a waste management system that enables users to report full trash bins for immediate collection or schedule recurring or one-time pickups. it connects all stakeholders in the waste value chain, fostering a profitable circular economy.

01.01 Describe your startup in more detail

AI Technologies for Africa (AITECAF) is a company specializing in developing innovative AI solutions that drive progress and efficiency in various sectors, empower communities, and solve complex challenges across the African continent. AITECAF Spearheads sustainable innovation with Peniang, Cameroon's first digital circular economy platform, revolutionizing waste management by seamlessly connecting individuals, collectors, and recyclers to tackle pollution, promote environmental stewardship, facilitate real-time reporting of full trash cans and waste accumulation, and enable efficient collection, and processing. As the world confronts the escalating challenge of waste accumulation and its harmful environmental consequences, AI Technologies for Africa (AITECAF) is at the forefront of transforming waste management practices. Our innovative solution, Peniang, is a comprehensive multi-platform application designed to streamline and enhance waste management processes.

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

In Cameroon, waste pollution has become an escalating crisis, leading to environmental degradation, health risks, and economic burdens. Inadequate waste management systems result in uncontrolled dumping, pollution, and a lack of sustainable practices. This demands an urgent and innovative solution that transforms waste management practices and address the following observations (source UN-Habitat) - 2 billion tons of municipal solid waste (MSW) yearly - 8 million tonnes of plastic find its way into the world’s oceans - Between 400,000 and 1 million people die each year in developing countries due to diseases related to unmanaged waste - 8-10% of global GHG emissions by 2025 In Cameroon, we face the following issue when it comes to waste management: Traditional waste management practices suffer from: 1. Inefficiencies: lack real-time monitoring, real-time alert 2. Lac of road map based on factors like: the volume of waste, high population, water condition, risk of water pollution

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

- Get rid of your waste in one click - Opt for bio-degradable solutions and take part in actions for climate change. - Pay as you Throw - Get rewarded for your climate change action and your eco-profile

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

- Waste Producers (#~3,198,020): These are the individuals or organizations that generate plastic waste. They could be households, businesses, or institutions. - Waste Collectors(#): These are the individuals or companies that collect plastic waste from the waste producers. They could be informal waste pickers or formal waste management companies. - Recycling Companies: These are the companies that process the plastic waste into new products. They could specialize in different types of plastic, such as PET or HDPE, and may have different processing capabilities. - Municipalities: Responsible for regulating waste management activities in a specific locality.

01.05 When was your company established?

2022-06-20

01.06 Are you already selling your product/service?

No

01.07 How many other owners are there within your startup?

1

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.)

Alex Bruno Kenfack Anafack stands at the forefront of technological innovation as the Founder and CEO of AI Technologies for Africa, where he spearheads initiatives to harness Artificial Intelligence for sustainable development. With over five years of professional experience in IT, Alex's expertise in Python and advanced frameworks has been pivotal in creating solutions that address real-world problems. His work extends beyond commercial success, focusing on projects that have a lasting impact on society, such as Peniang (https://peniang.com) the first digital platform for waste management in Cameroon. His entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to technological advancement were further acknowledged when he was a finalist in the Afri-Plastics Challenge and the recipient of the Fonds Proto 2021 Technology Innovation prize, awarded by the Cameroonian government. Alex's active participation in the AUDA-NEPAD / GIZ support program for MSMEs and the Google startup for sustainable development

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

https://aitecaf.com

01.11 Which industry best describes your project?

h) IT (digital services, equipment and software)

02.01.01 My startup contributes to the No poverty goal

4

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification for my startup

02.02.01 My startup contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification for my startup

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

Reduce the number of deaths in Cameroon due to diseases related to unmanaged waste.

02.04.01 My startup contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification for my startup

02.07.01 My startup contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification for my startup

02.08.01 My startup contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

7 - Strongly Agree

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification for my startup

Job creation Give economic value to waste Circular economy

02.09.01 My startup contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification for my startup

02.10.01 My startup contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification for my startup

02.11.01 My startup contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification for my startup

Collect about 10.69% of municipal solid waste the first year, 26.73% the second year, and 37.42% the third year with the monthly collection of 49,000 tones, 122,500 tones, and 171,500 tones respectively. Reduce the amount of plastic waste into the world’s oceans Reduce the global GHG emissions

02.12.01 My startup contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

4

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification for my startup

02.13.01 My startup contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification for my startup

Collect about 10.69% of municipal solid waste the first year, 26.73% the second year, and 37.42% the third year with the monthly collection of 49,000 tones, 122,500 tones, and 171,500 tones respectively. Reduce the amount of plastic waste into the world’s oceans Reduce the global GHG emissions

02.14.01 My startup contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification for my startup

Reduce the amount of plastic waste into the world’s oceans

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

5

06.08 Justification for my startup

Peniang is an innovative waste management system that revolutionizes the industry by integrating advanced AI technology and fostering a circular economy. Our platform enables users to report full trash bins for immediate collection or schedule pickups, connecting all stakeholders in the waste value chain. Key innovative features include: New Technology: AI-driven predictions for waste volume, type, and full bin alerts optimize the collection process, enhancing efficiency and responsiveness. Improvement on Existing Services: Peniang's predictive capabilities and real-time monitoring significantly improve traditional waste management methods. Unmet Demand: Our system addresses the need for more efficient, predictive waste management, which current solutions do not fully satisfy. Educational Content: We promote responsible waste handling through educational materials on waste management, sorting, and life cycles.

06.09 Competitive Analysis

Potential competitors include tech-driven waste management platforms and initiatives like BleagLee, which focuses on converting waste into useful products and fighting climate change. However, Peniang stands out in several key ways: AI-Driven Predictions: Peniang uses advanced AI to predict waste volume, type, and full bin alerts, optimizing the collection process and reducing inefficiencies. User Engagement: Peniang allows users to report full bins for immediate collection, preventing waste from ending up in streets, fields, drainage channels, green spaces, and other physical sites. Comprehensive Stakeholder Integration: Peniang connects all actors in the waste value chain, including waste producers, collectors, recycling companies, and regulators, promoting a seamless and efficient waste management ecosystem. Circular Economy Focus: Peniang promotes a profitable circular economy through a marketplace for eco-friendly products and an award system based on users' ecological profiles.

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