Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Enviro-Sisal Project is an initiative that is birthed to revolutionize Kenya's footwear industry while addressing pressing socio-economic and health challenges i.e. make shoes that are affordable, comfortable, elastic, breathable and eco-friendly

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

The Enviro-Sisal Project proposes a solution that is offer shoes that are affordable, comfortable, elastic, breathable and eco-friendly by utilizing sisal, a locally grown and sustainable fiber crop. Our shoes, priced significantly lower than the average, offer substantial savings for Kenyan families and enable curb school absenteeism and dropouts due to jigger infestation. Its manufacture is through healthy processes thus conserving energy and natural resources unlike leather, plastic and rubber shoes which cause environmental degradation. Moreover, unlike the traditional footwear which mostly lacks sufficient ventilation hence retaining moisture and creating a conducive environment for the growth of fungi and bacteria, the breathability of our shoe would ensure proper feet aeration and great comfort to our consumers.

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

High Prevalence of Barefoot Walking - it is estimated that 20M people from Sub-Saharan Africa walk barefoot due to poverty. In Kenya, the Ministry of Education confirms that over 2M people are infected with jiggers. High cost of footwear - Current brand new shoes in the market are at approx $9.2 majorly caused by importation of its raw materials e.g. the United Nations COMTRADE database states that Kenya Imports of Raw hides and skins and leather was USD2.23 Million in 2023 Health Consequences of Improper Footwear - Traditional footwear mostly lacks sufficient ventilation, which retains moisture and creates a conducive environment for the growth of fungi and bacteria. This not only impacts the general health of the feet, but also increases discomfort and hygiene problems.

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

Ensures environmental Sustainability since the manufacture of the enviro-sisal shoe product is through healthy processes thus conserving energy and natural resources. Moreover unlike the current shoes in the market which take 35-40 years to degrade upon disposal, our shoe would take only 1.5 years to degrade and can be recycled to form ferterlizers. Promotion of good feet hygiene as due to its breathability nature, it would ensure proper aeration of the feet and comfort by minimizing the risk of bacterial infections, toe nail fungus, and smelly feet. Comfortability would be promoted through sisal's elasticity nature hence can be worn by even those with deshaped or deformed feet. The shoe will be highly affordable to all income brackets hence no gap between the reach and the poor.

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

Our project aims to address the urgent needs of the estimated 20M people in Sub-Saharan Africa who currently walk barefoot due to poverty by providing them with affordable shoes that improve their overall well-being and reduce the risk of health problems associated with walking barefoot. In addition, the project targets the approximately 2M people in Kenya who suffer from jigger infestations by providing them with easy-to-use and hygienic footwear to alleviate discomfort and promote healing. The project aims to address ladies of plus size who forced to wear unfit shoes putting pressure on the legs eventually causing leg health issues as well as benefit the wider population of ordinary citizens, an estimated 50M people. In addition to the local population, our initiative also targets tourists, approximately 2M of whom visit Kenya each year, by providing them with eco-friendly and culturally authentic footwear that promotes sustainable tourism practices.

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2023-12-21

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

4

01.07 Among the other partners, how many are female?

3

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

Harriet Kimari, the Chief Executive Officer, brings her experience as an Economist and HR manager at an autospares company, coupled with active engagement in Kenya Red Cross activities. Immaculate Buyaki, serving as the Chief Financial Officer, possesses expertise as an Economist, Statistician, and Data Analyst, currently employed in the finance department at Craydel Company Kenya. Samuel Were, the Chief Technical Officer, is experienced in statistics and data science, currently contributing his skills at Dalworth Research Training and Statistical Centre. Mary Njoki, appointed as the Chief Marketing Officer, utilizes her firsthand sales experience as a sales personnel and attendant in Kiambu. The team also benefits from the insights of the Chief Production Officer, a student at the University of Nairobi pursuing a course in Education, working hand in hand with suitable and experienced shoe makers to ensure a smooth manufacturing process

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/in/enviro-sisal-288276277

01.10 Which industry best describes your project?

Other: Healthcare, Education and Agriculture

02.01.01 My project contributes to the No poverty goal

2

02.01.02 No poverty - Justification

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

2

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

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

By providing affordable, comfortable, breathable and hygienic footwear, the project directly contributes to improving health outcomes. For the jigger infested population, it aims to reduce the risk of associated health complications such as inflammation, pain and infections and due to its breathability nature it ensures proper aeration of feet for those with fungal, bacterial and smelly feet.

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The project seeks to address absenteeism and school dropouts due to jigger infestation by providing affordable footwear directly support the goal of inclusive and equitable quality education. Moreover, it aims to address the population of school students walking barefoot in Sub-Saharan Africa approximately 10M. By providing comfortable and hygienic footwear it would remove a significant barrier to education, allowing children to attend school regularly, focus better and participate fully in their learning experiences.

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

5

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The Enviro-Sisal project aims to address the needs of women and girls, especially those who face footwear challenges. The project acknowledges the special concerns of plus-size women (feet size 9). They often have to wear unfit and rigid shoes available in the market which leads to foot health problems. By offering elastic and flexible shoes, the project promotes gender equality by providing women with comfortable and appropriate shoes that support their well-being.

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

2

02.07.02 Affordable and clean energy - Justification

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

By revolutionizing Kenya's footwear industry and promoting sustainable production methods, the project seeks to create job opportunities for the industry. From the production process to packaging, the project will create jobs for any class of citizens and promotes full and productive employment for individuals in the community. Moreover, through smart sisal cultivation techniques and sourcing of local raw materials, the project will support agricultural production and encourages farmers to participate. By promoting sustainable agricultural practices such as smart farming techniques and advancement of fertilizer sales, the project will promote agricultural growth and improves the economic opportunities of farmers.

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

2

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

2

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

By using locally grown and sustainable sisal fiber we aim to produce environmentally friendly footwear, the project will promote responsible consumption and production. Sisal is a renewable natural resource that is non-toxic and recyclable according to the principles of the circular economy. In addition, the project's focus on shoe production using healthy processes saves energy and natural resources, which contributes to sustainable consumption and production methods.

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

The project's investment in the utilization of sisal fibers, a drought-tolerant crop that does not release toxic chemicals, will help to reduce environmental pollution and reduce the carbon footprint of shoe production. By offering an ecological alternative to leather and plastic shoes, the project will support the fight against climate change and its consequences by promoting sustainable materials and practices in the shoe industry. Moreover, upon disposal we plan to recycle our disposed shoes to manufacture ferterlizers hence encourage smart sisal farming techniques.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

2

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

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

2

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

2

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.

6

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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

5

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

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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

4

05.08 Justification

While there may be existing products in the market catering to footwear needs, our offering stands out as a paradigm shift. Our shoe is priced at $6 compared to current shoes that typically cost $9.2. Its elasticity is suitable for those with larger feet or deformities such as jiggers, elephantiasis and bunions. The breathability of our shoes ensures adequate ventilation, which is beneficial for people with fungal infections, smelly feet and bacterial infections. In addition, our shoes decompose in 1.5 years when disposed, which is a sharp contrast to traditional shoes made of leather, plastic or rubber, which take 30-40 years to decompose. This uniqueness underlines our commitment to sustainability and differentiates our products from existing footwear.

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

Our main potential competitors are Bata Shoe Company, Umoja Company and Enda Shoe. Bata Shoe Company focuses mainly on leather shoes, while Umoja Company focuses on rubber shoes. Enda Shoe stands out for its biodegradable footwear, but is often considered expensive. In addition, the breathability of our shoes ensures adequate ventilation, which solves the concerns of fungal infections, smelly feet and bacterial infections. This feature offers added value compared to traditional leather or rubber shoes, which can trap moisture and exacerbate these problems. Furthermore, our commitment to sustainability is reflected in the biodegradability of our shoes. Although Enda Shoe offers biodegradable options, our shoes break down in a very short time, 1.5 years, which is a sharp contrast to the 30-40 years required by traditional leather, plastic or rubber shoes..

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

No