Zimbabwe - Startup under 3 years old

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

Chigubhu Lantern Initiative provides "A light for every student" through our unique is a solar powered Chigubhu Lantern made from electronic waste and housed in plastic waste bottles .The initiative also offers sustainable skills transfer .

01.01 Décrivez votre startup en détail

Zambezi Ark Technologies (Zartech) is a startup focusing on delivering sustainable energy and lighting solutions leveraging on the circular economy . Chigubhu Lantern Initiative, is our social cause program which provides lighting and training for school .Chigubhu Lantern is made from LED lighting electronic waste and housed in plastic waste bottles ."Chigubhu" translates to "plastic bottle" in Shona, a Zimbabwean language, highlighting the initiative's local context. Our program offers sustainable skills to schools on waste management, circular economy principles, basic electricity, renewable energy, and how to build the lanterns themselves. The Chigubhu Lantern incorporates a central solar-powered charger capable of charging multiple lanterns daily minimizing waste from individual solar panels .The central charger is powered by our custom made Chiedza Solar Kit (Chiedza means "light" in Shona) a custom-made energy solution that can also power cellphone and laptops .

01.02 Quel est le problème principal que vous essayez de résoudre ?

Over 60% of Zimbabwe's rural population lacks access to electricity, resulting in limited energy access (World Bank, 2022). This has reduced productivity by depriving people of lighting, digital services, and other essential amenities for education and households. Without reliable lighting at night, these areas fall behind in development. Students in rural areas struggle to study at night due to a lack of electricity. This significantly impacts their educational outcomes and future opportunities. Additionally, improper waste management exacerbates environmental degradation. Electronic waste (e-waste) and plastic pollution are rampant, with the World Bank reporting that Zimbabwe generates approximately 300,000 tons of plastic waste annually. This project aims to mitigate these challenges by providing sustainable lighting and energy solutions while promoting environmental stewardship through embracing circular economy principles and using renewable energy.

01.03 Dites-nous quels sont les principaux avantages et/ou bénéfices de l'utilisation du produit/service fourni par votre startup (au moins 3).

Chigubhu Lantern is our unique innovation that is solar powered LED lantern made from electronic waste and housed in plastic waste bottles . This solution is build on circular principles ,reusing on waste and powered with solar energy .With this solution we don’t only provide light but we offer sustainable skills transfer in waste management ,circular economy , renewable energy and skill on how to make their own lights .This innovation uses solar power increasing uptake of solar energy and improving access to clean energy in rural communities .This has helped create a generation of Eco-conscious people that can help us in our fight against climate change .The Chigubhu Lantern also improve the quality of education and making it a catalyst of change and development in the most marginalized communities.To support the Chigubhu Lantern Initiative Zartech has set up Circular Shops in schools and communities of our beneficiaries to offer them full product support services .

01.04 Veuillez décrire précisément à qui s'adresse le produit/service de votre startup. Quels sont les bénéficiaires visés ?

The Chigubhu Lantern is mainly targeting the education and residential sector with main focus on marginalised communities .We work closely with NGOs ,corporate and organization that work in the education and climate space .The Chigubhu Lantern Initiative empowers students,teachers and women with lighting, sustainable skills, and environmental awareness. We focus on the education sector, where lighting significantly impacts learning outcomes and residential area where productivity extends to night time .

01.05 Quand votre entreprise a-t-elle été créée ?

27/09/2022

01.06 Vendez-vous déjà votre produit/service ?

Oui

01.07 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires de votre entreprise en plus de vous ?

1

01.08 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

1

01.09 Veuillez décrire le profil des autres propriétaires de votre startup (compétences, expérience, etc.).

Aluwaine Tanaka Manyonga – Founder and Lead Innovator: Aluwaine is an electrical engineer and has expertise in designing and producing Chigubhu Lantern toolkits. He spearheads resource mobilization and curates practical training content for our beneficiaries. Additionally, he leads the production team in assembling solar kits and central chargers. Abigairl Chigwededza - Training Director: Abigairl has a background in computer science is responsible for crafting engaging and informative Chigubhu Lantern developer guides for students. She facilitates training sessions and closely monitors the impact of our program on student learning and skill development. Tendiso Muguza - Public Relations Director: Tendiso safeguards Zambezi Ark Technologies' legal interests. As a qualified lawyer and legal advisor, she oversees intellectual property, contracts, and company policy, ensuring smooth stakeholder engagement.

01.10 Si vous avez un site web, une page sur les médias sociaux (Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin...) ou une application, veuillez fournir le(s) lien(s) ici :

https://www.zartech.co.zw/

01.11 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre entreprise ?

Énergie (équipements, services, énergie durable et fossiles)

02.01.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

4

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Creates jobs in marginalized communities

02.02.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

4

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.03.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

5

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Provides good quality lighting for the health sector

02.04.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Éducation de Qualité'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We provide reliable lighting which is crucial for extending study hours for students and teachers .Students will now have sufficient time to do their homework ,and night time adult education can also be facilitated in turn improving the quality of education .Our sustainable skills transfer offers hands on STEM skills on how to make the Chigubhu Lantern which covers basics of electricity and give student basic engineering skills .Our Chiedza Solar Kit also provides power for cellphones and laptops this helps ensuring access to digital services in rural communities .

02.05.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We have a policy that seeks to empower women with green skills .

02.06.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

2

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.07.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Our solution are solar powered and we intend to achieve the same for our production .We offer a wide range of solar solutions which include the Chiedza Solar Kit that powers the Chigubhu Lantern ,mobile phones and computers .The Chigubhu Lantern comes with a centralized charger that is solar powered and is capable of charging multiple lanterns on daily basis .We have avoided use of individual solar panels to reduce potential of electronic waste from individual solar panels .At the core of our lighting products we use more efficient long life span LED chips that save energy .All our solutions improve access to affordable and clean energy for all .

02.08.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Improved quality of education in rural areas we will increase economic growth .

02.09.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovation et Infrastructure'

2

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.10.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Energy access will improve quality of life for all

02.11.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

n/A

02.12.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsables'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

Our products embody the circular economy and we make use of waste giving it a second life as new products .Through sustainable skills transfer we culture a sustainable mindset to young people to make them responsible consumers .Our production minimizes the waste production and we offer full product support services through our Circular Shop .

02.13.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Lutte contre les Changements Climatiques'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We offer more sustainable products through reuse of plastic and electronic waste to make our products .Our solutions are powered using renewable energy reducing our carbon foot print .Our sustainable skills transfer spreads climate awareness and through providing hands on education .We champion in the production of circular products which reduces environmental degradation .

02.14.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.15.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

2

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

n/a

02.16.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

1 - pas du tout d'accord

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

N/A

02.17.01 Ma startup contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

7 - tout à fait d'accord

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de ma startup

We cover multiple SDGs

06.01 Un grand nombre de clients utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire au nôtre.

7 = Tout à fait d'accord

06.02 Notre produit/service représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

6

06.03 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

5

06.04 Notre produit/service est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

06.05 Notre produit/service pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

6

06.06 Notre produit/service répond à une demande ou à un besoin qui n'a pas été satisfait par d'autres produits/services.

6

06.07 Notre produit/service est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

6

06.08 Justification

Our solution is innovative because it integrates three crucial elements: Education We go beyond just providing lanterns; we equip students with the knowledge and skills to understand and contribute to a sustainable future. Circular Economy Our approach emphasizes reusing and repurposing waste materials, minimizing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency. The Chigubhu Lantern itself embodies this principle, serving as a practical example for the students. Community Empowerment We do not simply offer a product; we build capacity within communities through training and local support structures like the Circular Shops. This fosters a sense of ownership and empowers communities to manage their own energy needs and waste challenges. Unlike traditional approaches that may solely focus on providing lighting solutions, our initiative offers a holistic approach that tackles the root causes of the problem while fostering long-term sustainability

06.09 Analyse compétitive

Our main competition is AC lighting that is provided by the grid ,but this does not reach all communities and schools and is not reliable as they is constant load shedding . Solar Pico Lights and Solar home lighting systems are the other competition but these are mostly imported and our market is now flooded with low quality products ending up in the electronic waste stream .We offer locally designed products and full support services for our clientele through the trainings and sustainable skills transfer .

11.05 Menez-vous des actions au sein de votre communauté pour promouvoir le rôle des femmes entrepreneurs ?

Yes our team is made up of 60% females and we have applied the same to our training policy .When conduct training in schools 60% percent will be girls .