Kenya - Business creation project

Describe your project or startup in a few words

Affordable briquettes from local raw materials

01.01 Describe your project in more detail

The project involves making briquettes from sugarcane bagase and coconut shells. The project is based in Kwale County, Kenya

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

The project contributes to environmental conservation and climate change by providing alternative sources of fuel for the local communities as part of a government initiative to project the local indigenous forests that provided firewood for these communities for generations. The briquettes will replace the firewood business and cutting down of trees for fuel.

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 briquettes will be cheap and locally available They offer alternative sources of fuel to firewood They help utilize the baggase from the local sugar companies and coconut shells that are mostly underutilized

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

The target beneficiaries are local households who rely on firewood for fuel

01.05 When did you start working on your project?

2024-01-05

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.)

Victor Ouko is an environmental expert Jecinta Akoth is an expert in renewable energy

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

The project will provide employment opportunities to local women and youth

02.02.01 My project contributes to the Zero hunger goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.02.02 Zero hunger - Justification

The project will employ bread winners- mostly single mothers- to provide food for the families

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

6

02.03.02 Good health and well-being - Justification

It will provide income to families hence promoting well-being

02.04.01 My project contributes to the Quality education goal

6

02.04.02 Quality education - Justification

The project will provide cocking fuel to local schools

02.05.01 My project contributes to the Gender equality goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.05.02 Gender equality - Justification

The project will provide equal opportunities to women and youth

02.06.01 My project contributes to the Clean water and sanitation goal

4

02.06.02 Clean water and sanitation - Justification

The income to families will improve sanitation

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 briquettes provide alternative sources of fuel to firewood

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

Provide employment opportunities to local women and youth

02.09.01 My project contributes to the Industry innovation and infrastructure

7 - Strongly Agree

02.09.02 Industry innovation and infrastructure - Justification

Use local resources to create a company that offers employment and economic income

02.10.01 My project contributes to the Reduced inequalities goal

6

02.10.02 Reduced inequalities - Justification

Equal income opportunities for individuals from diverse social backgrounds

02.11.01 My project contributes to the Sustainable cities and communities goal

3

02.11.02 Sustainable cities and communities - Justification

Not directly related

02.12.01 My project contributes to the Responsible consumption and production goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.12.02 Responsible consumption and production - Justification

The briquettes are made from coconut shells and sugarcane baggase that are mostly considered wastes. Hence, it contributes to circular economy

02.13.01 My project contributes to the Climate action goal

7 - Strongly Agree

02.13.02 Climate action - Justification

By providing alternative fuel to firewood, it promotes environmental conservation by discouraging the local communities from cutting down trees in the local forests.

02.14.01 My project contributes to the Life below water goal

3

02.14.02 Life below water - Justification

Not directly related

02.15.01 My project contributes to the Life on land goal

2

02.15.02 Life on land - Justification

Not directly realted

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

3

02.16.02 Peace justice and strong institutions - Justification

Not directly realted

02.17.01 My project contributes to the Partnerships for the goal

1 - Strongly Disagree

02.17.02 Partnerships for the goal - Justification

Not least bit related

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.

2

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

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.

7 - Strongly Agree

05.08 Justification

Briquettes are are widely considered efficient alternatives to firewood. This project utilizes coconut shells and sugarcane baggase which has not yet been used in this region to create briquettes.

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

Firewood vendors are my main competitors. Firewood business is considered illegal and government is cracking down on the traders. Hence, briquettes offer legal and locally available alternatives

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

Yes, my business partners are female