Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Briquettes are cooking fuel just like charcoal which can be used for cooking in anty part of the country. They are efficient cooking medium

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Charcoal briquette making project is a project intended to produce charcoal briquettes cooking fuel. The fuel is made from locally available raw materials such as sawdust, plant raws and biomass wastes. The materials are first crushed using a hammer crusher. After crushing, the materials are dried to reduce water content to the required levels so as to avoid explosion. Finally the materials are then pressed by hand for small scale use or by use of a pressing machine for mass production. In this case, I intend to make use of a pressing machine to enhance production of bulk briquettes due to high demand. The fuel compared to ordinary charcoal is environmental friendly since it does not produce smoke. This makes it suitable even in crowded places like urban areas.

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

-The main problem am trying is unavailability of affordable cooking fuel which is also environmental friendly. The briquettes am intending to produce will be sold cheaply thus can be afforded to all irrespective of their income -Secondly, am trying to solve the problem of deforestation and environmental impact. This has been the challenge with traditional charcoal involves tree cutting in order to make them. Thirdly, the problem of waste management has been a challenge in most places especially agricultural and industrial waste. Charcoal briquettes will make use of such wastes thus aiding in waste management. - inefficient burning of the non renewable fuels is another challenge am aiming at solving. This is because Charcoal briquettes provide better energy output reducing the amount of fuel needed. - The health challenge associated with traditional charcoal is another problem am aiming at solving. This is because charcoal briquettes produces less or no smoke.

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 major benefits of this project include 1. It is affordable compared to other cooking fuel 2. Charcoal briquettes are environmental friendly as they does not produce smoke. This makes them useful even in crowded areas like in urban areas 3. Charcoal briquettes have an easy making process therefore doesn't require complicated machines or specialised skills in order to produce 4. Materials used to make Charcoal briquettes are readily available in all parts of the country thus the project can be established anywhere 5. Briquettes also have a high burning efficiency. This means they can burn for a longer periods as compared to other non renewable fuels 6. Charcoal briquettes are also easily stored and transported due to their shapes

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

1. Households. Most households in both urban and rural areas rely on traditional charcoal for cooking and heating. These will be the major beneficiaries of this project 2. Low income families who cannot afford gas and electricity as a means of cooking and heating will be the major target group of this project since it is cheaper and affordable 3. Restaurants and food vendors will greatly benefit from this project since charcoal briquettes are affordable and efficient as compared to traditional charcoal 4. Industries that require reliable and consistent heat sources for processes like metal working, brick making or pottery will benefit greatly from this project 5. Those in agricultural sector can also benefit from this project by selling agricultural waste hence increased income. 6. Environmental groups can find this project beneficial as it aims at managing the waste thus reducing environmental pollution.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-01-05

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.)

1. Mukami Lynn Gitonga Mukami Lynn is a biologist environmentalist. She has a degree in Bio technology and also a diploma in environmental science. She has diverse skills in biological and environmental matters. She has worked with National Environmental Management Authority for a period of two years. Her knowledge and skills will be highly useful in this project so as to realise a sustainable project that is environmental friendly. 2. Danson Muriuki Danson is an electrical engineering specialist. He has a degree in electrical engineering. He has worked in various places one being with Kenya power and lighting company for a period of 3 years.

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

5

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

The briquettes making project aims at trying to eradicate poverty by creating jobs to as many people as possible. After conducting a thorough research, I established that there is a high demand for an alternative reliable fuel in most households. This means there will be need for mass production thus creating employment to those who will be working to actualize the project. In addition, those in agricultural sector will also benefit from the sale of agricultural waste. This to great extent leads to eradication of poverty.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

4

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

This project is aimed at solving the challenge of respiratory diseases associated with the smoke from the non renewable fuels. This highly promotes good health

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

3

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

The project aims at achieving gender equality in that both men and women will talk part to actualize the project. Secondly, Low income earners and those poor families will also benefit by having a reliable and sustainable means of cooking and heating. Finally, those in agricultural sector and in this case mostly women will benefit from the sale of agricultural waste thus promoting equality in the society

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

The briquette making project is aimed at utilising both industrial and agricultural wastes which would otherwise find their way into rivers and other water bodies. Thus prevents water pollution thus leading to clean water and sanitation

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

6

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

The briquettes charcoal are an alternative to wood charcoal. Their main benefits over traditional charcoal is that they burn without smoke and are affordable. This makes it possible for low income families to acquire affordable energy for both cooking and heating

02.08.01 My project contributes to the Decent work and economic growth

5

02.08.02 Decent work and economic growth - Justification

The project being a company intended to serve as many people as possible will with no doubt lead to economic growth through job creation and increased income

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

5

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Being an innovative project aimed at utilising locally available materials to achieve a better and reliable source of energy, the project can be said to adhere to industry innovation and infrastructure goal

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

5

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

The project aims at providing those low income families with a reliable and affordable means of cooking. This with no doubt reduces the inequalities in the society

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

5

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

The project is aimed at recycling both industrial and agricultural waste thus reducing waste pollution. This highly leads to sustainable cities and communities Secondly, by reducing deforestation and providing a fuel that burns with less emissions Additionally, Through production and sale of briquettes the local community can get employment and thus lead to increased income Lastly, the project aims at providing reliable energy especially in places with no electrical connectivity and also to low income families

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

5

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

The project is aimed at utilising waste materials turning them into useful products and this highly leads to responsible consumption and production Secondly, the project aims at avoiding degradation by acquiring materials in an environmentally friendly manner Lastly. The project aims at having a fuel that burns with less emissions

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

5

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

-The project is aimed at ensuring there are no greenhouse gad emissions and this helps in combating climate change. - The brochar which is a by product produced from this project is a highly useful one. It is a good carbon sequester which can help in increasing soil fertility - acting as an alternative for wood charcoal the project aims at

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

5

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Since the project aims at combating desertification by reducing deforestation associated with traditional charcoal, the project can be said to adhere greatly to this goal.

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.

2

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.

2

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

4

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

4

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.

4

05.08 Justification

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

The gas suppliers. The key reason why my project stands out is because it aims at achieving equality. Both gas and briquette have less emissions but briquettes to be made will be less costly when compared to gas meaning they will be afforded by low income families who opt for non renewable energy sources like firewood due to high cost of gas

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

Yes I have organised mentorship programs where women who are successful investors come to speak to younger women on how to be successful entrepreneurs Secondly am in a group which helps source funds for women who are interested in pursuing entrepreneurship and later repay at a very low interest Lastly, I have also initiated networking programs for females where they meet and share ideas