An innovative Kenyan company that makes fertiliser from waste is among 10 African organisations to benefit from Sh7.5 million seed funding from Sahara Group.
The funding will help the companies improve their businesses.
The Kenyan smart hub, EcoRich Solutions, won the award after showcasing its innovative approach to waste.
The company uses waste to produce organic fertilisers that are 75 per cent cheaper than chemical varieties, enabling African smallholder farmers to increase their yields.
During the award ceremony conducted in Nigeria, 10 smart companies out of 20 that submitted their applications for the fellowship each received a grant of Sh755,500.
The seed funding was established to empower young African social innovators whose enterprises are dedicated to improving access to clean energy and sustainable environments across the continent.
In her remarks on behalf of the graduating fellows, Joyce Rugano, who is also the founder of EcoRich Solutions, lauded the Sahara Group Foundation and LEAP Africa for the inspiring learning experience.
EcoRich Solutions says a lack of affordable fertiliser for farmers has led to a reduction in crop yields across many farms by over 60 per cent.
“This is because synthetic fertiliser is very expensive and not affordable to farmers, making them have to depend on government subsidies. Many farmers have been forced to delay planting cycles or adjust their fertiliser schedules, reducing farm yields and leading to a limited supply of food to the locals.”
She expressed her gratitude for the invaluable knowledge and skills acquired during the fellowship and pledged to utilise them for meaningful change.
The fellows applied for the funding through the Sahara Impact Fund Fellowship program, which is a corporate social sustainability vehicle for Sahara Group. SG is a leading international energy and infrastructure conglomerate with operations in over 42 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.
This is the third year SIF has welcomed a total of twenty fellows from various African countries who participated in a rigorous six-month fellowship.
During the programme's closing ceremony, Sahara Group director Ejiro Gray commended the beneficiaries for their remarkable dedication and resilience throughout the program.
Ejiro emphasised that the SIF was established to bolster Africa's development by identifying and empowering young, creative social innovators working to create sustainable environments and bridge the energy gap in Africa."
Ejiro urged the innovators to apply the knowledge and experiences gained to deliver lasting impact across Africa through their businesses.
The top ten recipients of this year's seed funding across East Africa include Joyce Rugano, founder, EcoRich Solutions (Kenya); Ainomugisha Shifra, founding director, SOLAFAM Uganda (Uganda); Philipo Kitungano, founder, Kigoma Eco-cultural Tourism Enterprise (Tanzania); Jolis Nduwimana, executive director, WEGE Company (Burundi); Andrew Mpashi, co-founder, Twalima Agro Solutions Limited (Zambia); and Timothy Munthali, founder, Tawonga Cooking Oil Processing Enterprise (Malawi).
Others include Kehinde Fashola, Founder, Fizzle Power Tech Limited (Nigeria); Muofhe Ratshikombo, CEO, Oumie's Grandè (South Africa); Paul Nnaluo, Founder, Gas Monkey (Nigeria); and Muideen Adegoke, Founder, DigitAgric Integrated Limited (Nigeria).
Executive Director, LEAP Africa, Kehinde Ayeni, congratulated the Fellows for their successful program completion and encouraged them to persevere in their commitment to innovation and social progress.
She emphasized that the investment in their growth by the Sahara Group Foundation and LEAP Africa reflects confidence in their potential and the power of their ideas to advance Africa's development.