By Faith Wandera, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) and Ann Numi, African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS)/Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology (JOOUST)
Transforming Climate Innovation Ecosystems through Inclusive Transdisciplinarity (TransCIIT) project
Innovation in African Universities (IAU) Programme through the Transforming Climate Innovation Ecosystems through Inclusive Transdisciplinarity (TransCIIT) Project is implementing a match making service for entrepreneurs and masters students. The match is between needs of entrepreneurs engaged in climate change enterprises and master’s students with business training background that could help the businesses succeed, hence a Transdisciplinary approach. It focuses on challenges faced by youth and female entrepreneurs while dealing with climate change, thereby promoting inclusivity. The target is to promote a green agenda in impoverished communities in post-Covid in Kenya. Anticipated benefits accrue to Masters students who could apply the acquired expertise to real world problems while enhanced skills make them attractive to prospective employers. Entrepreneurs stand to benefit from enhanced profits and efficiency of climate innovations and businesses. Economic and social benefits translate to the achievement of sustainable development goals and adaptation/mitigation of the effects of climate change.
Eight (8) masters students (5 male and 4 female) have been matched with 9 business enterprises (7 male owned and 2 male owned). The student backgrounds include: Information Technology (5), Human Resource (1), Analytical Chemistry (1), and Strategic Management (1). The enterprises include waste management; agribusiness, electronic waste recycling, textile and bioethanol fuel production. The paired matches are short projects to be implemented between July and August 2022. Students assigned to specific entrepreneurs based on skills required to address the entrepreneurs needs.
A description of the work underway for each project follows below:
CelluBioClag Distillers Ltd
CelluBioClag Distillers Ltd is a bioethanol fuel production firm that produces biofuels from Dracaena wild cellulosic perennial plant feedstock. The firm’s innovation for bioethanol fuel production from wild cellulosic non-food perennial plants feed-stock is a breakthrough. The firm uses a cellulosic biomass non-food raw material as opposed to the human food stuff used by the other ethanol producers. This ensures that the biofuel production is done in a sustainable and efficient approach. It also demonstrates the value of the wild plant farming development to restore degraded and marginal lands unsuited for food crops contributing to the 10% world forest requirements. The firm’s entrepreneurial development and industrialization for bioethanol fuel production will significantly increase the amount and efficiency of ethanol in the local and international markets sustainably.
Through their entrepreneurial development and industrialization for bioethanol production, CelluBioClag Distillers Ltd aims to significantly increase the efficiency and volumes of ethanol production in the local and international markets in a sustainable manner. The firm emphasizes the value of Dracaena plant farming development to restore degraded and marginal lands unsuited to food crops contributing to the 10% world forest requirements resolution and agricultural economic revolution.
Main challenges encountered; The firm lacks the required equipment for the juice extraction, fermentation & distillation. Moreover, they require appropriate laboratory equipment e.g., the refractometer to assist in the determination of the alcohol percentage. They also require dehydrating agent to facilitate the removal of water traces in the product. The firm also requires relevant knowledge in bioethanol fuel production to facilitate the efficient production of bioethanol fuel production. Access to this knowledge will inform bioethanol fuel production processes and attainment of market value standards.
TransCIIT support; The project has provided a student industrial fellow to meet the following objectives; Develop a prototype of business plan including the entrepreneur’s need; Set up the experimental design for ethanol production; Test the quality and quantity of ethanol produced from the pretreated biomass using the employed methods.
Impact Botanics Africa Ltd
Impact Botanics Africa Ltd was first registered as Richant Food Processors in 2013 and after four active years in the industry, we changed our name to Impact Botanics-Africa Ltd in September 2017 as we sought to expand our range of products to satisfy the growing needs of an expanding clientele base.
In an era of increasing lifestyle diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, a great majority of the global population is turning to herbal/organic products both for nutritional enrichment and as natural remedies for healthy living. Further, the global organic personal care industry is one of the fastest-growing as consumers are increasingly embracing organic options. Recognizing this, we at Impact Botanics-Africa, are committed to sourcing, developing, and delivering the best quality organic products for nutrition and personal care for our valued customers in a timely, convenient and reliable manner. With a strong grassroots network spanning the entire East African region, we are able to source consistent, reliable and high-quality raw product which is then taken through value addition processes in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi.
As a nature-inspired, science-driven, and youth-led social enterprise, we are committed to delivering quality products to the consumer, value to the farmer, sustainability to the environment, and fulfillment to our dedicated team of professionals. Service delivery through reliable information and consumer support forms a core part of our philosophy and we are constantly connected to our clients to ensure we deliver a truly enriching consumer experience.
Main challenges encountered; Development of a robust retail and digital marketing strategy. As a company we sell products along three lines: Bulk, Wholesale and Retail. As we seek growth and remain responsive to emerging trends in eCommerce and logistics we need a detailed plan that can guarantee us the best results going forward. We need help in delineating and segmenting products, customers and locations. Further we need assistance in identifying the best channels for advertising and optimizing such channels. Lastly, insights into high impact and penetrating graphic design. This is our most pressing problem as an entity as we have embarked on a plan to solve other technical problems through other channels and strategies.
TransCIIT support; The project has provided a student industrial fellow to meet the following objective;
Development of effective digital marketing strategy for advertisement of products.
Gare Holdings Limited
Gare Holdings Limited is a startup dealing with Organic Fertilizer and Animal Feeds industry. We have incorporated both natural and mechanical processes in our production line. We practice Black Soldier Fly farming and produce superior quality NPK fertilizer as well as high quality animal feed protein source in form of BSF larvae.
Main challenges encountered; "Our top most need is market penetration. We have reached the level of producing enough 100% liquid organic fertilizer that has been tested by Kenya Plant Health Inspectorate Service (KEPHIS) and they recommended the product to be of adequate nutritional composition. We have also been able to test its efficacy with Tomatoes, Coriander, Onions, Kale, and Spinach, all with excellent results. Our main desire now is to enter the market and therefore need an efficient sales and marketing strategy."
TransCIIT support; The project has provided a student industrial fellow to meet the following objective; Development of a marketing strategy to promote increased sales of firm’s products.
Muafrika Consulting
At Muafrika Consulting, we are involved in the provision of Onsite human waste and waste water management solutions in rural areas of Coastal Province of Kenya. We have also identified an opportunity for the production of Fuel Efficient Briquettes and Bio Gas production Using Human Waste. There is a great opportunity for clean affordable cooking energy and our project has great potential since the raw materials are depletable hence the project ensures the establishment of a circular economy.
Main challenges encountered; "We need to develop an Android Mobile App for ordering, customer mapping and feedback. Development of an SSD Code for client feedback, orders and product reviews. Integration of our website with the mobile payment platforms. Development of a Bulk SMS software for one on one marketing, Updates on mew products and improvements, communications of offers and discounts."
TransCIIT support; The project has provided a student industrial fellow to meet the following objective; Digitalization: Development of a strategic plan, marketing plan, financial Manual HR Policy and social media Digital Marketing.
Kibuye Market Waste Management CBO
At Kibuye Market Waste Management CBO, We ensure zero hunger through sustainable waste management. Where we convert waste generated from the market into charcoals briquettes, pellets, animal feeds, biogas, bio-fertilizer and compost manure. We also does table banking and loaning among the members to keep our activities moving. We donate our farm produce to children's home and lower schools
Main challenges encountered; "Lack of marketing plan/branding of product/ marketing. The problem started immediately after our first production, sometime around December 2014. We had the final product especially the organic fertilizer in our stores but started grappling with sales; no customers to sell to. The challenge has been with us throughout the years as the organization hardly makes sales and this has dealt a heavy toll on the organization’s operations as it is not effectively sustainable. The organization is not making profit despite production. We strongly believe there is dire need to work on our marketing plan, branding our products and marketing effectively of which we lack the technical know how."
TransCIIT support; The project has provided a student industrial fellow to meet the following objective; Marketing and branding. Development of a social media marketing and branding strategy.
Fibertext Green Paper Limited
Fibretext is a waste technology company that upcycles non-fruit parts of the banana plant into packaging products, growing incomes for farmers and reducing the environmental impact of banana production. Fibertext Green paper Ltd is the number one company in producing and supplying high quality, biodegradable, environmentally friendly packaging products.
Main challenges encountered;
"We have had issues regarding marketing our products. Being new on the market, we have had issues with mapping customers as well as branding. We have tried to solve the problem but not to its fullest due to lack of expertise and resources. This problem affects our sales and generally the revenue of the company."
TransCIIT support; The project has provided a student industrial fellow to meet the following objectives; Marketing; Development of a business plan to include a Marketing plan; Digitize the business innovation.
Assess progress on website already under design; Design Logo and Brand Product.
Oxbow Technologies
Oxbow Technologies is a Kenyan Social Enterprise and IT Consulting company focusing on future technologies, the environment, and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a strong bias in electronic waste recycling.
Main challenges encountered; Creating awareness on firm activities (electronic waste recycling) and setting up a recycling plant. This has been hindered by limited financial resources.
TransCIIT support; The project has provided a student industrial fellow to meet the following objective; Bridging company set up gaps; Polish Of Business Plan And Prepare Model Canvas; Improve marketing Strategy; Development of new business model canvas.
RUCOS Kenya
We are an agribusiness form that supplies farm inputs and technical assistance. We encourage farmers to adopt climate resilient crops and sustainable agricultural practices.
Main challenges encountered; The county has been experiencing rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall patterns, increasing cases of floods and prolonged droughts which threatens crop yields hence farmers and consumers risk a setback into poverty, hunger. Malnutrition and food insecurity. Small scale farmers in the region have limited resources and knowledge on how to adapt to climate change.
We require support to develop a workable input distribution strategy that can enable the company to reach more farmers and support the small holder farmers produce more through Good Agricultural Practices.
TransCIIT support;The project has provided a student industrial fellow to meet the following objectives; Review company set up and bridge gaps; promotion and branding of the company products; improve business plan and prepare model canvas; Develop marketing strategy.
Pine Kazi
Pine Kazi is a new and innovative social business venture focused on converting previously discarded pineapple waste into eco-friendly fashion products such as shoes and bags which are sold to eco-conscious millennials around the world. The business was founded by three passionate entrepreneurs in Kenya on August 28th, 2019. Their mission? To change the world by offering a sustainable approach to fashion. Upon founding Pine Kazi, Olivia Okinyi, Angela Musyoka and Mike Langa identified two major problems in their community: a lack of jobs for unemployed youth, and a lot of pineapple waste that was being thrown away or burnt. Pine Kazi decided to use its passion for social entrepreneurship to establish a brand that would create a positive impact on the environment and ensure opportunities the community would benefit from. As such, Pine Kazi’s target market is eco-conscious millennials aged 18-35 years old – in other words, people who value sustainability as an important fashion choice.
Main challenges encountered;
“The current problem we are facing is business development and coming up with winning strategies that we can use to enter the market and position our brand.”
TransCIIT support; The project has provided a student industrial fellow to meet the following objective; Creation of an e-commerce website.
Project mentors and business leads from KCIC have been assigned to the matched projects. Supervisory meetings are held along the way to ensure the student activities are monitored and mentored to ensure progress is made. The matched projects commenced in early July. Project mentors and business leads from KCIC have been assigned to respective matched projects. Students have been submitting reports of their progress on a weekly basis.
Some of the challenges that have been experienced during implementation of the matched projects include miscommunication of the project provisions to the entrepreneurs. Some entrepreneurs have requested for financial support to address their current challenges. The project team emphasized that the project would only provide student expertise to the entrepreneurs. Another issue that has been cited is short project timelines. Some students have highlighted the need to extend the timeline of the matched projects. The students were given up to the end of August 2022 to complete the matched projects.
A showcase event to present the results of the matchmaking projects will be conducted in September 2022. The event will include matched project posters presentations, reflections & lessons learnt, a showcase of pilot matchmaking website and discussions on the project legacy. Innovation ecosystem (IE) stakeholders and matched project participants (entrepreneurs and industrial fellows) will be invited to the event.
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