NAIROBI, Kenya- TRANSFORM—an impact accelerator spearheaded by Unilever, the British High Commission (BHC) Nairobi, and EY—has announced Sh81 million in grant funding to five visionary Kenyan small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
Selected from an impressive pool of 1,500 applicants, these SMEs are poised to drive significant positive change through their groundbreaking solutions.
This marks the first collaboration between Unilever, the BHC Nairobi, and EY in East Africa, aiming to support innovative entrepreneurs.
Neil Wigan, the British High Commissioner to Kenya, highlighted the critical importance of these projects, stating, “These innovative projects represent novel solutions to some of the most critical challenges faced by Kenya and the region. The UK is proud to work with entrepreneurs in the region to support innovative business ideas and create jobs.”
Hadijah Nannyomo of EY emphasized the transformative potential of such collaborations, adding, “It is impactful to have Unilever, EY and the British High Commission collaborate to create meaningful and lasting solutions that improve the local economy and the entrepreneurial innovation landscape.”
“At EY, we believe such collaboration to support visionary impact enterprises is key to unlocking progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” Hadijah concluded.
The selected SMEs, each with a unique approach to addressing social and environmental challenges, are set to benefit immensely from the grant funding and support from TRANSFORM.
Joseph Sunday of Unilever Kenya highlighted the program’s impact, saying, “ Our longstanding collaboration has empowered SMEs across East Africa, with our dedicated employees championing and mentoring organizations like Gwiji and Novek.”
Here are the innovative enterprises that secured funding:
- Gwiji: This platform digitally connects cleaners to job opportunities, aiming to uplift over 10,000 women from low-income communities in Nairobi by increasing their daily earnings.
- Novek: With its internet-enabled product dispenser technology, Novek is testing refill models for washing powders, potentially saving thousands of tonnes in plastic waste.
- Syna Consultancy: Syna has developed a portable toilet designed for older adults and people with disabilities, providing hygienic and comfortable sanitation solutions that enhance health outcomes and promote independence.
- Ecobora: By installing solar-powered cooking boilers in rural Kenyan schools, Ecobora seeks to replace firewood, reduce air pollution, and combat deforestation. They will also pilot pay-as-you-go technology to provide meals for 7,000 students.
- Association of Green Champions (AGC): AGC aims to improve the livelihoods of Gum Arabic sellers and harvesters through training, equipment, financing, and market links.
Such initiatives set a precedent for impactful partnerships, fostering sustainable development and economic growth.
