• News
  • Sport
  • TV
  • Radio
  • Education
  • TV Licences
  • Contact Us

For all official information and updates regarding COVID-19, visit the South African Department of Health's website at www.sacoronavirus.co.za

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION
Home Business

From medicine to recycling, six African start-ups doing business for good in 2019

26 December 2019, 8:00 AM  |
Reuters Reuters |  @SABCNews
There are no figures for how many social enterprises have been started across the continent, but the sector is growing.

There are no figures for how many social enterprises have been started across the continent, but the sector is growing.

Image: Stock

There are no figures for how many social enterprises have been started across the continent, but the sector is growing.

As Africa tunes into the burgeoning movement of business for good, young people across the continent are finding innovative solutions to problems from illiteracy to pollution.

There are no figures for how many social enterprises have been started across the continent, but the sector is growing with the emergence of tech hubs and accelerators even in the world’s least developed countries, such as Chad.

Here are six African social enterprises that had people talking in 2019:

 1. mPharma

Ghana-based social enterprise mPharma manages prescription inventory for pharmacies to make medicines more affordable for Africans. Started five years ago, the business expanded in 2019 with the purchase of Kenya’s second-biggest pharmacy chain and the launch of new initiatives, including a financing programme for breast cancer treatment in Nigeria.

mPharma won $1.5 million this year from Ebay billionaire Jeff Skoll and plans to eventually supply affordable drugs to public hospitals as well as pharmacies, says founder Gregory Rockson.

Gregory Rockson received the Progress Award at tonight’s Goalkeepers Global Goals Awards. This award recognizes the work of his company, mPharma, which provides primary healthcare services across Africa. pic.twitter.com/hYAA8WbWeq

— Gates Foundation (@gatesfoundation) September 25, 2019

2. Easy Solar

Easy Solar provides pay-as-you-go solar-powered lighting and charging systems to people with no electricity access in Sierra Leone. In 2019, the three-year-old company reached 15 of 16 districts in Sierra Leone and expanded to neighboring Liberia.

Founder Nthabiseng Mosia made the Forbes Africa 30 Under 30 list this year, in the category of game-changers in technology. She plans to rapidly grow the company’s reach in 2020, she said, after passing 300 000 users this year.

Boosting employment, reducing energy costs and saving the planet.

? Read more: https://t.co/HkAY8bheQL pic.twitter.com/PjlgbW9k8Z

— World Economic Forum (@wef) December 6, 2019

3. Toolboksi

Started in Tanzania, Toolboksi is an online platform that aims to reduce unemployment in the informal sector by connecting people seeking carpentry, plumping or construction work with local artisans and handymen skilled in those areas.

The two-year-old company has facilitated over 3 000 transactions so far.

In 2019, Toolboksi won Best Social Impact Start-up for its growth this year at the Southern Africa Start-up Awards.

We’re proud to announce that @toolboksi has won the #SASAwards2019 for Best Social Impact Startup in Southern Africa, which were conducted in Johannesburg, South Africa. Special thanks to all our Fundis/handymen and our customers for trusting us. #FundiNiToolboksi #socialimpact pic.twitter.com/cOOTcBVd26

— toolboksi (@toolboksi) December 6, 2019

4. SiyaBuddy

SiyaBuddy is a recycling and waste management company in South Africa that aims to create jobs while helping the environment. The start-up buys waste from local collectors, mostly women, and sells it to recycling companies.

SiyaBuddy gained recognition and funding this year when it won the World Export Development Forum young entrepreneurs pitch contest in Ethiopia. Since 2017, it has created 21 jobs and supported over 1 000 waste-pickers.

Congrats, @SiyabuddyRecyc1! ??

This South African waste management company won our #WEDF19 young entrepreneurs pitch contest.

Get to know the founder, Siya Tshabalala.

Full ?: https://t.co/GVhSAyqNKu

Our partners: @ITC_Youth @accelerate2030 @iceaddis @FdsPierreCastel @US_AU pic.twitter.com/M4T8NxqEvh

— International Trade Centre (@ITCnews) November 27, 2019

5. Farmcrowdy

Farmcrowdy is a digital lending platform in Nigeria that connects farmers with small investors who can sponsor them during a season and collect a small return when they harvest. It aims to reduce hunger and poverty by increasing food production.

With over 25,000 small-scale farmers involved, Farmcrowdy has been growing quickly since it launched three years ago. It gained momentum in 2019, winning a number of awards including Africa’s Innovative Business of the Year by the British Awards for African Development.

"Before I was farming on a very small portion of land but now I have one hectare and I'm very happy about that." – Esther Fom, Maize farmer, Dorowa-Babuje, Plateau state.

We are very glad to be a source of happiness for Esther and her family. Thank God We Farm!???#Farmcrowdy pic.twitter.com/qaSlwjusNj

— Farmcrowdy (@farmcrowdy) November 29, 2019

6. Eco-Warriors

Launched in Mauritius in 2019, Eco-Warriors is a mobile game application that teaches children about climate change and conservation. It includes monthly comic books distributed for free if young players participate in recycling household waste.

Eco-Warriors is a few months old and has won several prizes and the support of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco). It aims to teach sustainability throughout the Indian Ocean region, including in Reunion Island and Madagascar.

What's your Favourite level of Eco-warriors™: Rodrigues Adventures? Comment with your Screenshots!

Posted by Eco-Warriors on Thursday, 17 October 2019

Share article
Tags: AfricaTechnologyInnovationEntrepreneurStart-ups
Previous Post

Child donates Christmas savings to the underprivileged

Next Post

Record online sales give US holiday shopping season a boost: Report

Related Posts

Farm workers busy at work.

Eskom’s rolling blackouts seriously disrupting farming: Agri SA

7 July 2022, 8:47 AM
Vegetarian sausages from Beyond Meat Inc, the vegan burger maker, are shown for sale at a market in Encinitas, California, US, June 5, 2019.

Meat association in support of correct labelling for plant-based foods

7 July 2022, 8:20 AM
Looters hijack a truck with goods in KZN during riots that rocked the province in July, 2021.

Gauteng hopes to reach R1-billion in assistance for businesses affected by July 2021 unrest

7 July 2022, 6:22 AM
The euro was about flat at $1.01845 after sinking as low as $1.01615 on Wednesday, for the first time since late 2002.

Euro hovers near 20-year low on recession worries

7 July 2022, 5:20 AM
The IMF is expected to release its updated forecast for 2022 and 2023 in late July, after slashing its forecast by nearly a full percentage point in April.

IMF chief says ‘cannot rule out’ possible global recession

7 July 2022, 12:02 AM
Secretary-General of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo

OPEC’s Mohammed Sanusi Barkindo dies at 63

6 July 2022, 9:04 PM
Next Post
Shoppers make their way through Fashion Centre at Pentagon City, decorated for the holidays, in Arlington.

Record online sales give US holiday shopping season a boost: Report

Most Viewed

  • 24hrs
  • Week
  • Month
  • EMS says fire at Bree Street Taxi Rank in Johannesburg has been extinguished
  • The public has until 18 May to make submissions on Icasa’s regulations for extension of expiry period for data, airtime
  • ANC NEC expected to hold a special meeting on Sunday
  • Eastern Cape flood victims plead for support as access to food, services remains difficult
  • Amathole Regional Secretary elated to have corruption charges against him dropped
  • Interpol arrests suspect for swindling US citizens millions of dollars
  • Police officers may soon not be allowed weekends off
  • Missing Soweto boy’s body found at Eldorado Park wastewater plant
  • Police close investigation into Enyobeni tavern tragedy
  • Taxi commuters to pay an additional R5 in fare from Friday
  • Interpol arrests suspect for swindling US citizens millions of dollars
  • East London police search for clues that led to tavern death; calls to revoke tavern’s licence 
  • Police officers may soon not be allowed weekends off
  • UPDATE: At least 17 people killed in an East London tavern stampede
  • NTA yet to decide whether to support calls for national shutdown amid fuel price hikes

LATEST

Cooling towers are pictured at a coal-based power station owned by Eskom in Duhva, South Africa, February 18, 2020.
  • South Africa

COSATU calls for state of emergency due to ongoing electricity crisis


File Photo of SAFTU members protesting economic woes in SA
  • South Africa

SAFTU plans national shutdown against rising cost of living


Farm workers busy at work.
  • Business

Eskom’s rolling blackouts seriously disrupting farming: Agri SA


Vegetarian sausages from Beyond Meat Inc, the vegan burger maker, are shown for sale at a market in Encinitas, California, US, June 5, 2019.
  • Business

Meat association in support of correct labelling for plant-based foods


A person works next to a paraffin lamp.
  • South Africa

North West families blame Eskom’s rolling blackouts for death of two children


Public Protector, Busisiwe Mkhwebane attending an event.
  • Politics

PP’s office to release statement on withdrawal of application to reverse Mkhwebane’s suspension


Weather

  • About the SABC
  • Contact Us
  • Jobs
  • Advertise
  • Disclaimer
  • Site Map

SABC © 2022

No Result
View All Result
  • SOUTH AFRICA
  • POLITICS
  • BUSINESS
  • SPORT
  • AFRICA
  • WORLD
  • SCI-TECH
  • LIFESTYLE
  • FEATURES
  • OPINION

© 2022

Previous Child donates Christmas savings to the underprivileged
Next Record online sales give US holiday shopping season a boost: Report