Nigeria - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Moonlight Technologies designs and manufactures affordable, energy-efficient lighting solutions and electronic hardware in Nigeria, addressing local production needs and reducing electronic waste through recycling and value addition.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Circuit boards are part of every electronic component we use today, from basic components such as flashlight to complex designs like Mother Boards in computers, in a vague term “it is the Green Board with components that exist in every electronics”. Moonlight Technologies is a startup that designs and produces electronics hardware, primarily circuit boards for light fixtures, in Nigeria. Founded by Abdulhakeem Ahmad Adamu in 2024, the company aims to advance hardware development in Africa and address the high demand for affordable lighting solutions. Our product line includes floodlights, solar streetlights, downlights, and commercial and industrial lights. The company also simultaneously runs a Project called Refab, in order to reduce electronic waste in Nigeria and make lighting products more affordable by reuse of valuable components and proper management of waste components.

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

Moonlight Technologies is addressing several key problems in Africa which are; Africa, particularly Nigeria, is largely a consumer of electronic products rather than a producer. Most hardware, including lighting fixtures and circuit boards, is imported, leading to higher costs and dependence on foreign supply chains. There is Currently a significant demand for affordable and reliable lighting solutions in Nigeria and across Africa. Many regions suffer from inadequate lighting infrastructure, which impacts daily life, business operations, and safety. This regions also face significant challenges with electronic waste, lacking proper infrastructure for handling this electronics waste, leading to environmental and health issues.

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

Cost-Effective Lighting Solutions: Moonlight Technologies provides affordable lighting products such as floodlights and solar streetlights, reducing the financial burden on consumers and businesses by cutting down on import costs and utilizing local resources. Energy Efficiency and Sustainability: The company's products are designed to be energy-efficient, helping to reduce energy consumption and costs. Additionally, the focus on recycling and proper electronic waste management promotes environmental sustainability. Local Economic Growth: By designing and manufacturing locally, Moonlight Technologies stimulates local industry growth, creates jobs, and builds technical expertise within Nigeria and Africa, reducing reliance on imported products and fostering regional development.

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

The Target Beneficiaries of Moonlight Technologies are; Residential Users: Homeowners and families seeking affordable and reliable lighting solutions for their homes. Commercial Users: Businesses of all sizes, from small shops to large enterprises, that require efficient lighting for their operations, offices, and commercial spaces. Industrial Users: Factories, warehouses, and industrial facilities needing high-power lighting solutions for their large-scale operations and outdoor areas. Communities: Rural and urban communities in Nigeria and across Africa that benefit from enhanced public lighting, improving safety and quality of life. Environmental Advocates: Organizations and individuals focused on sustainability, benefiting from the company's emphasis on reducing electronic waste and promoting recycling. The broader Nigerian and African economies, which benefit from job creation, local manufacturing, and the development of technical expertise through the company's operations.

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?

2

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

Alamin Umar: the Co-Founder of Moonlight technology, serving as the Production Manager a graduate of Ahmadu Bello University, has experience in sales of electronic lighting products and now oversees production at Moonlight Technologies. Ramatu Idakwo: Serves as our Financial Secretary, Studied accounting in Ahmadu Bello University, she has been a major actor in the NGO space, she has been a member of enactus Nigeria, where she built a skill in Sustainable Business Development, she also worked as a Social Media officer for a ride hailing service n-ryde. Maryam Yunus Lawal: she serves as the Director of Refab, Refab is our Electronics Waste Management Department, she Studied Chemical Engineering, also served as an NGO space, she has magnificent sales skills and has had experience in Recycling Industry, she worked in PUP Industries, she aids in the production process

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?

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

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

Local Economic Growth: By designing and manufacturing locally, Moonlight Technologies stimulates local industry growth, creates jobs, and builds technical expertise within Nigeria and Africa, reducing reliance on imported products and fostering regional development.

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

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

Effective electronic waste management provides numerous benefits, including environmental protection by reducing pollution and conserving natural resources, economic advantages through resource recovery and job creation, energy conservation, public health improvement by minimizing exposure to toxic substances, regulatory compliance and enhanced corporate reputation, promotion of sustainable design and innovation, and reduction of landfill usage.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

Circuit Board and Hardware design is a complex skill that requires continues efforts to develop, our company will continuously invest in the development of skills of it's staff and younger generation to ensure we achieve our dreams of making Africa industrially competitive.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

Our core principle promotes gender equality in work force, both genders are well represented even in our management staffs.

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

3

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

Moonlight Technologies provides affordable lighting products such as floodlights and solar streetlights, reducing the financial burden on consumers and businesses by cutting down on import costs and utilizing local resources. The company's products are designed to be energy-efficient, helping to reduce energy consumption and costs. Additionally, the focus on recycling and proper electronic waste management promotes environmental sustainability.

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

6

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

By designing and manufacturing locally, Moonlight Technologies stimulates local industry growth, creates jobs, and builds technical expertise within Nigeria and Africa, reducing reliance on imported products and fostering regional development.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

By the use of new and efficient components in designing and manufacturing locally, Moonlight Technologies stimulates local industry growth, creates jobs, and promotes innovation.

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

6

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

The project supports the Sustainable Cities and Communities goal by providing affordable, energy-efficient lighting solutions, reducing electronic waste through recycling, stimulating local economic development, enhancing public safety with improved lighting, promoting resource efficiency, and supporting sustainable infrastructure development.

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

The project supports the Responsible Consumption and Production goal by reducing electronic waste through recycling, promoting sustainable manufacturing practices, encouraging energy efficiency, raising awareness about responsible waste management, and ensuring efficient use of resources.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The project contributes to the Climate Action goal (SDG 13) by reducing greenhouse gas emissions through the production and promotion of energy-efficient lighting solutions, minimizing electronic waste and its associated environmental impact, and promoting sustainable manufacturing practices that lower the carbon footprint.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

3

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

3

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

5

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

By collaborating with global technological companies, local suppliers, and community organizations to enhance resource sharing, knowledge transfer, and innovation. These partnerships facilitate sustainable development, strengthen local capacities, and foster inclusive growth.

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

6

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

4

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

4

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.

6

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.

5

05.08 Justification

Lighting Products already has a large customer base

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

Our Competitors can be divided Geographically, • Global: Philips Lighting, Osram, Cree, ATx, Foshan Lighting, Meanwell Technologies. • Africa: TDS Energy, Afrison Led. • Nigeria: Luminous, Lumos Nigeria, Sukam Power Systems. Even though the Lighting and Energy products industry is Huge globally, it is worth Billions in Dollars, Africa hasn’t had much share in this Market, the continent remains mostly a consumer rather than being in any part of the Value Creation Chain. The companies listed in Nigeria above are mainly distributors of these products and not Manufacturers. What makes us standard out is the local value addition we promote, and our environmental sustainability initiative "Refab" which will ensure our product is accessible, affordable and well accepted locally. Due to our local presence we have a better connection to our customers in terms of Product Reuse, Guaranty and Warranty initiatives.

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

Yes, I have served under Female leaderships multiple times and I have always supported them to achieve their goals, while i was in the university, I volunteered in an organization within campus called enactus, my Team Lead was a lady and I served as her Partnership Unit head, we had a successful year. I understand the challenges female entrepreneurs and leader face and I will always work the path with them and support in my own way