Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

This study explored the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) to boost biogas production from organic waste using anaerobic digesters.

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

Poor sanitation in rural and informal settlements in Kenya is linked to transmission of diarrheic diseases such as cholera and dysentery, as well as typhoid, intestinal worm infections and polio. It exacerbates stunting and contributes to the spread of antimicrobial resistance. In most cases, there is lack of latrine and proper human waste disposal. In rural Kenya, people use pit latrines which are dangerous and are not hygienic and they are not safe for human and environment because after one is filled up, another one is dug and for those without one, will relieve themselves in an open space. In urban slums, we have people helping themselves in polythene bags then throw away, some with latrine, after its filled up, it is pick up then dumped in rivers, we have other latrines directly connected to the rivers and that's why we have the waters with black colors. The idea will restore human dignity and repair our ailing environment.

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

I am going to create an interconnected sewer line in villages that will direct all human waste to a collection center that will in return give the community biogas for cooking hence alleviate cutting of trees for firewood and charcoal. In urban slums where there's no sewer lines and clean toilets, the waste will be collected as they are being done currently but dumping wont be in rivers but at a collection center where it will turned into biogas then sold back to the community at a cheaper price. This will create employment Preserve our environment Restore human dignity. Provide clean energy

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

Employment will be created for the people who will be collecting waste and bring it to the collection center. Environment preservation. There wont be dumping human waste in rivers or reliving oneself at open space, or even 'flying toilets' Use of green energy Human dignity restoration Use of technology because it will be automated

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

The project is majorly focused in serving the people in rural areas and those in urban slums without proper toilets and lack clean energy for cooking and lighting

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2022-01-10

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. ALEX KACHU Bsc - COMPUTER SCIENCE POSITION: SOFTWARE DEVELOPER 6 YEARS EXPERIENCE 2. WILKISTER ODUOR Bsc SOCIAL SCIENCE 5 YEARS EXPERIENCE

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

With access to green cheaper energy for cooking, the beneficiaries will not have to worry about putting a meal on the table. They will also have their dignity restored by have access to clean environment Employment will be created to youths in slums and in rural areas.

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

Employment opportunities will enable them get food for themselves and family.

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

Improved latrines, clean environment like rivers and green cooking energy will enhance their health.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

4

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The project aims at give equal opportunity to all genders and employ them equally

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 project aims at alleviate dumping human waste in rivers and defecating in public places

02.07.01 My project contributes to the Affordable and clean energy goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

The biogas produced will be supplied back to the community. This will stop the cutting of trees for firewood and charcoal.

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

The project aims at providing employment to youths in rural and slums areas.

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

With our experience in computer science, we aim at constructing the first biogas plant in Kenya that is fully automated, this will happen after we develop a software and a mobile app that will enable all systems to be monitored remotely.

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

6

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

I agree

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

It conserves the rivers running into the oceans

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

No dumping waste on land.

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

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Yes

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

3

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

The main aim is to forge a good patrnership

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.

3

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.

5

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

3

05.06 The product/service we envision creating responds to a demand or need that has not been satisfied by other products/services.

1 - Strongly Disagree

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

5

05.08 Justification

In kenya We have had biogases yes, but we have never had an automated biogas plant where every function from waste collection, processing, gas production to distribution is automated and can be monitored remotely. Our aim is to create a smart biogas plant that is smartly managed for efficiency.

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

We have a small portion of people doing biogas but the market has not picked for them. We aim at producing more affordable gas for communities.

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

Yes, I have started a technology initiative for girls.