Kenya - Business creation project

Décrivez votre projet en quelques mots

Our coconut project will repurpose waste products from the coconut fruit into environmentally friendly charcoal briquettes from the shell, coir products and cocopeat for agricultural use from the husks. The aim is to reduce waste while creating jobs.

01.01 Décrivez votre projet en détail

The coconut industry is one of the most under-tapped sectors in Kenya.The coconut industry is currently contributing around Kes. 12 billion in GDP, however the industry has a potential of more than Kes.30 billion per annum in GDP.In Kenya, coconut production is carried out in the coastal counties of Kwale, Kilifi, Mombasa, Lamu and Tana River with over 200,000 acres of land under coconut production. With an average acreage yield of 7,000 fruits per annum, the annual total is about 1.4billion fruits. the husk and shell constitutes around 62-66% of the coconut fruit which is not utilized and hence considered as waste.Our project seeks to utilize this resource by converting the shell into charcoal briquettes which can then be sold as a cheaper and cleaner source of energy.The husks will be recycled to produce coir for multipurpose use and cocopeat as a byproduct will be sold for agricultural use.The project will create job opportunities along the value chain hence improving livelihoods.

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

The project aims to address two challenges. One is to combat climate change by reducing the amount of greenhouse gases released to the atmosphere by decaying agricultural waste or produced during destruction of agricultural waste through burning.By ensuring that the husks and shells are recycled into other useful products, we shall be reducing the need for the farmers and vendors to burn which releases Carbon monoxide into the atmosphere.Carbon briquettes will provide an alternative to charcoal reducing deforestation .Two is to improve livelihoods for the coastal communities by creating job opportunities along the value chain through employment of aggregators, employment of locals as part of the production staff and creating an extra source of income through the coconut by-products. Most of these jobs will be preserved for women and youth.

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

1.Briquettes are a cheaper and cleaner source of fuel as they have a higher thermal value and a low ash content as compared to charcoal. They are also smokeless hence they do not release harmful gases to the atmosphere or even harming the user. 2. Coir products are environmentally friendly as they are biodegradable as much as they are resilient hence produce stronger products giving value for money. 3. Coco peat is a good alternative to soil as it contains antifungal properties making it an excellent seed starter. due to its versatile nature, when mixed with soil, it improves water retentions and also improves drainage and percolation.

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

According to research carried out by KALRO, about 100,000 households in the coastal region depend on coconut for their livelihoods. This represents about 80% of the total coastal population, as such our startup aims at benefiting the 100,000 households both directly or indirectly through job creation along the value chain. About 12% of the Kenya population uses wood charcoal as a source of heat energy, that is about 1.4 million households. Our target is the 1.4 million households in both rural and urban areas adopting use of briquettes or other clean fuel alternatives such as LPG. Due to their versatile nature, our coir products will play a very important role in different sectors such as the construction industry,agricultural industry and textile industry. They will act as a source of raw materials for these industries. Other beneficiaries from the product will be the employees that will benefit from jobs created along the value chain as well as in other value chains.

01.05 Quand avez-vous commencé à travailler sur votre projet ?

01/01/2024

01.06 Combien y a-t-il de propriétaires sur votre projet en plus de vous ?

1

01.07 Parmi les autres propriétaires, combien sont des femmes ?

0

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

Davis who is the co-founder of our start up is an Information Technology graduate. They have a vast experience in marketing and customer care relations. He is also the founder and CEO for Shopnet Graphics limited a branding and marketing firm. He also owns and runs a vehicle spare part and accessories business. With his experience as a founder of two successful businesses, his expertise in this startup is much needed

01.09 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.linkedin.com/in/faith-aiyabei-9b2800139

01.10 Quel est le secteur d'activité qui décrit le mieux votre projet ?

a) Énergie (équipements, services, énergie durable et fossiles)

02.01.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Pas de pauvreté'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.01.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

By creating job opportunities, my start up is geared towards ending poverty by contributing to the economic stability of its beneficiaries.

02.02.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Faim Zéro'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.02.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

My startup will be a champion for sustainable agriculture through promotion of its coco peat that improves the soil components enhance increasing production while reducing the need for use of agrochemicals. Since coconut is a source of nutrition, increased production translates directly to the availability of the product for consumption hence improved nutrition and food security.

02.03.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Bonne Santé et Bien Être'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.03.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

Through job creation, people are able to access better health services improving their well being. By encouraging use of briquettes, there is reduced health risks to the users as they are not exposed to the dangerous fumes produced by other fuel sources such as paraffin, charcoal or wood.

02.04.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Éducaiton de Qualité'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.04.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

My startup will continue to train its beneficiaries on the importance of clean energy and sustainable agriculture. It will also promote learning opportunities for its staff by ensuring the attend career improvement courses.

02.05.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Égalité entre les Sexes'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.05.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

My startup will be an equal employment champion ensuring that there are no biases when it comes to employment.

02.06.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Eau Propre et Assainissement'

6

02.06.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

While my startup does not directly involve itself in matters water and sanitation, as part of our Good Manufacturing Practices, we shall adhere to ensuring that our premises hold the highest sanitation practices while ensuring that we use water resources sustainably.

02.07.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Énergie Propre et Abordable'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.07.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

Our briquettes are aimed at ensuring that there is clean and affordable energy for all.

02.08.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Travail Décent et Croissance Économique'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.08.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

My startup has a plan in place that will ensure that the business is sustainable in the long run hence creating jobs continuously. We also have policies in place that guide us on employment ensuring that we practice good employment. We also Practice Good Manufacturing practices that ensure that the workplace is decent and safe for all employees.

02.09.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Industrie, Innovaiton et Infrastructure'

6

02.09.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

Our startup is geared towards promoting sustainable industrialization through production of innovative products.

02.10.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Réduction des Inégalités'

5

02.10.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

Whereas my startup does not directly reduce inequalities among countries, i plays an important role in reducing the inequalities among people which in the long run will reduce inequalities among countries when each country is able to readily access basic needs.

02.11.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Villes et Communautés Durables'

6

02.11.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

My startup contributes to the improvement of the resilience and sustainability of the farming communities in the coastal region of Kenya.

02.12.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Consommation et Production Responsable'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.12.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

My startup plays and important role in the coconut circular economy by ensuring that the waste products are recycled in into useful products reducing wastage while generating income.

02.13.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Luttle contre les Changements Climatiques'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.13.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

By recycling the husks, we are combating release of greenhouse gases that would have been released had they been left to decay or gases that would have been released if they had been destroyed through burning. Briquettes from the shell are a cleaner, cheaper and sustainable alternative to charcoal since it has a higher thermal value. Use of coconut shell briquettes also prevents deforestation which is good for our forests as they are one of the main fighters of climate change through carbon sinking.

02.14.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Sous-Marine'

4

02.14.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

02.15.01 Mon projetp contribue à l'objectif 'Vie Terrestre'

4

02.15.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

My startup combats desertification by discouraging deforestation though use of coconut briquettes. It also encourages reforestation by encouraging planting of coconut trees which in turn will improve the coastal biodiversity.

02.16.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Paix, Justice et Institutions Efficaces'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.16.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

Our startup will work to promote peaceful and inclusive societies by encouraging peaceful co-existence in our areas of business. We shall also build a just and cohesive team in our business.

02.17.01 Mon projet contribue à l'objectif 'Parteneriats pour la Réalisation des Objectifs'

7 - Tout à fait d'accord

02.17.02 Justification de la contribution de mon projet

Our startup will thrive on fostering partnerships with other players in the value chain ensuring sustainability in the long run.

05.01 Il existe un grand nombre de clients qui utilisent déjà un produit/service très similaire à celui que nous envisageons de créer.

5

05.02 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer représente un type de produit/service entièrement nouveau

2

05.03 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer pourrait être décrit comme une nouvelle technologie

6

05.04 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer est une amélioration d'un produit ou d'un service existant

6

05.05 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer pourrait être décrit comme une extension d'une gamme de produits ou de services

6

05.06 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer répond à une demande ou à un besoin qui n'a pas été satisfait par d'autres produits/services.

6

05.07 Le produit/service que nous voulons créer est une nouvelle version d'un ancien produit/service

5

05.08 Justification de mon projet

The briquette technology is not new in Kenya, the use of coconut briquettes is a new version that has not been explored hence our interest in this venture. The adoption of briquettes is also on the rise in Kenya and with the sensitizations on climate action, we project that there will be increased adoption for the same. The coir products currently in Kenya are imported therefore, venturing into coir making is one of the ways of promoting Buy Kenya, Build Kenya strategy.

05.09 Qui sont vos principaux potentiels concurrents et qu'est-ce qui vous différencie d'eux ?

Our main competitors are other briquette makers from other products such as from charcoal dust, saw dust and other agricultural waste and Importers of briquettes. While they present significant competition, our product will be of higher quality as it will be sourced from sustainable sources as compared to sawdust and charcoal dust that require tree felling to happen. Coconut briquettes will also be smokeless due to the carbonization process before moulding. The other advantage of coconut briquettes is the nice scent it produces due to the oils in the shell as compared to other briquettes. We anticipate taking advantage of local manufacturing to edge out imported coir products. By working with farmers, we will be able to out compete Kenyan manufacturers while creating more impact.

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

None