Ghana - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Zaabuno, aims to introduce to the market long-lasting and highly calorific value charcoal briquette (Saana briquettes), energy sources derived from rice husks and Shea butter waste. These alternatives offer sustainable energy options for households.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Zaabu

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

Ghana annually produces more than 1,100,000 tons of charcoal, with over 60% of this originating from the Bono East and five northern regions. The production of one kilogram of charcoal typically requires between 4 to 12 kilograms of dry wood, depending on the kiln type used. This practice exacerbates the impacts of climate change in these regions, as it not only leads to deforestation but also emits significant CO2, especially with the prevalent use of traditional earth mounds for kilning. Additionally, Ghana generates over 33 million tons of rice husks and 80,000 tons of Shea waste annually. When left to dry, these wastes emit methane gas, contributing to global warming and adversely affecting farmlands, thereby impacting food production. Recognizing these challenges, Zaabuno hopes to pioneered the production of long-lasting, high calorific value charcoal briquettes, known as Saana Briquettes, using rice husks and Shea butter waste.

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

The production of Saana briquettes by Zaabuno promises to significantly diminish the reliance of households and small businesses on wood charcoal. This, in turn, will decrease the number of trees felled for charcoal production and reduce the emission of CO2 into the atmosphere from wood charcoal carbonization. Moreover, it will bolster the incomes of women shea butter processors, who can sell their waste to Zaabuno for additional earnings. Additionally, women currently involved in wood charcoal carbonization will have the opportunity to be employed by Zaabuno, providing them with an alternative livelihood. Saana briquettes offer a stainless alternative to wood charcoal, thereby addressing environmental concerns while meeting energy needs.

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

Zaabuno's target demographic includes households, particularly women aged 18 to 60, and owners of small-scale businesses reliant on charcoal. The company aims to offer an efficient alternative to wood charcoal and firewood, thereby reducing the expenses associated with purchasing domestic cooking fuel. Moreover, Zaabuno plans to enhance the livelihoods of women Shea butter processors by purchasing Shea butter waste from them, thus providing additional income. This initiative not only benefits the women economically but also addresses the issue of waste pollution on farmlands, which negatively impacts food production. Additionally, Zaabuno will collaborate with rice processing factories in its vicinity to manage their waste more sustainably. Often, this waste is transported and disposed of on bare lands or openly burnt, posing environmental hazards. Through partnerships, Zaabuno seeks to repurpose this waste effectively.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-12-01

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

3

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

2

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

Linda Dagadu is a young lady with a background in postharvest technology and with three years experience in shea butter processing with the Yuuni Shea women association and very passionate about women empowerment and rural development. Douglas Awine-Kolgo is a young man with a background in environmental science and has worked with SocialFarms, an agribusiness social enterprise that is into helping urban dwellers have easy acess to farmlands and inputs to farm as a junior consultant from Challenges Worldwide, now Challenges Ghana. He also has a certificate in social media marketing and with two years experience in briquetting.

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

https://www.linkedin.com/company/103832895/admin/feed/posts/

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

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

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

6

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Zaabuno's collaboration with women shea butter processors, many of whom are below the poverty line or low-income earners, will offer them a crucial opportunity to increase their earnings. By purchasing their waste and converting it into efficient household energy, Zaabuno will provide these women with additional income streams, ultimately elevating their economic standing and helping to alleviate poverty. Furthermore, Zaabuno's initiative will extend to engaging other women who typically migrate to southern Ghana in search of better opportunities, particularly during the dry season. By offering them stable employment, Zaabuno will contribute to enhancing their economic stability and reducing their dependence on seasonal migration for livelihood. This approach not only benefits the individual women involved but also contributes to broader efforts to combat poverty.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

3

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Zaabuno, with its two male and two female co-founders, exemplifies its commitment to gender equality from its very foundation. This diversity at the leadership level underscores the importance Zaabuno places on gender balance and inclusion. Furthermore, Zaabuno's partnership with shea butter processors is aimed at boosting their incomes by purchasing their waste. In a patriarchal society where land ownership is predominantly male-dominated, shea butter processing stands out as one of the few avenues where women can independently own and operate businesses in northern Ghana. Zaabuno is dedicated to enhancing the benefits derived by these women in this sector, recognizing their vital role in the local economy. Additionally, Zaabuno pledges to prioritize gender balance within its workforce, aiming for at least 70 percent female representation among its employees. This commitment ensures not only equal opportunities but also acknowledges the invaluable contributions of women to the compa

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

2

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Zaabuno is set to manufacture an environmentally friendly, highly efficient, and user-friendly household energy source derived from shea waste and rice husks. Currently, these materials are disposed of indiscriminately and burned openly. The resulting energy product is not only eco-friendly but also affordable, catering particularly to low-income households. It serves as a sustainable alternative to firewood and wood charcoal, addressing both environmental concerns and the energy needs of households.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

2

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

4

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

3

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

Zaabuno is dedicated to leveraging its operations to champion the cause of climate change mitigation. By offering an alternative to traditional charcoal production, Zaabuno aims to reduce deforestation and land degradation resulting from the felling of trees for charcoal carbonization. Additionally, Zaabuno's approach mitigates the release of CO2 into the atmosphere, which occurs during the traditional kiln-based carbonization process. Moreover, Zaabuno is actively combating climate change by addressing two significant sources of greenhouse gas emissions. By converting rice husks, which emit methane gas when left to dry, and shea waste, which adversely affects farmlands and contributes to soil infertility, Zaabuno is contributing to environmental sustainability and agricultural resilience. Through these initiatives, Zaabuno is aligning its operations with efforts to mitigate climate change and promote a greener, more sustainable future.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

6

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

1 - Strongly Disagree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

2

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.

3

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.

4

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

6

05.08 Justification

Saana Briquettes by Zaabuno are designed to fulfill the same cooking energy needs as firewood, wood charcoal, LPG, and other charcoal briquettes. However, Saana stands out due to its innovative design: unlike other available cooking energy sources that often require the use of plastics or papers to ignite, Saana briquettes feature a built-in starter cube. This feature simplifies the fire-starting process for users, making it more convenient and efficient. With over 5 million households and small businesses relying on charcoal or firewood for cooking according to the Ghana statistical service, Saana Briquettes offer a promising alternative that is not only effective but also environmentally friendly.

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

Among our competitors, such as wood charcoal carbonizers, Zaacoal, Adepa Briquettes, Bidigreen, and Narr Briquettes, Saana Briquettes from Zaabuno shine for several reasons. Our unique formulation, utilizing rice husks and Shea butter waste, results in Saana Briquettes boasting a notably high calorific value. Furthermore, Zaabuno holds a significant position as the primary briquetting company in northern Ghana, ensuring proximity to both our customers and raw materials. Additionally, Saana Briquettes set themselves apart from competitors by featuring starter cubes. This innovative addition simplifies the fire-starting process for users, distinguishing Saana Briquettes as a more user-friendly option compared to those offered by competitors.

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

Two female co-founders have been integral to Zaabuno's inception, actively contributing to the conceptualization and development of this groundbreaking idea and vision. Additionally, Zaabuno is committed to elevating the incomes of women shea butter processors by purchasing their shea butter waste, providing them with an additional source of income and fostering their economic empowerment.