Faced with its tons of waste, Africa is trying to find adequate solutions. It is in this context that KTN Global Alliance Africa is launching a call for entries for start-ups based in Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa with specific challenges. The aim is to connect them with innovators who are already working on waste management solutions.
The initiative, launched as part of its Global Alliance Innovation Exchange program, is funded by UK Aid, a UK government program that supports civil society organizations to achieve global goals, through the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
The most innovative solution providers will pitch their ideas to the companies and will each receive $34,000 to fund the start-up of their prototype or pilot concept, with additional support from KTN Global Alliance Africa. Start-ups interested in participating in the five challenges have until January 28, 2022 to submit their applications.
In South Africa, the Global Alliance Innovation Exchange competition features multinational consumer goods company Unilever. The British company wants to reduce its plastic use by more than 100,000 tons and collect and process more plastic packaging than it sells.
In Kenya, the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Processing Centre, which processes cathode ray tubes, is looking for innovative solutions for recycling and reusing LED screens.
Read also-AFRICA: 3D printing to turn plastic waste into agricultural tools
The project aims to promote sustainable waste management through a complete cycle where products and materials are recycled, repaired, refurbished or reused, so that a by-product or waste from one economic process becomes an input for another. Unlike other African countries, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa are advanced in waste recycling. This approach therefore helps preserve the environment, the first victim of pollution.
For more details on the KTN Global Alliance Africa call for innovations, click here.
Benoit-Ivan Wansi