SAHARA IMPACT FUND
Our esteemed Fellows and grant beneficiaries of the Sahara Impact Fund have consistently demonstrated exceptional performance and impressive scalability across their diverse ventures. With a footprint spanning Nigeria, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi, South Africa, Burundi, Tanzania, and Zambia, these entrepreneurs have not only expanded their businesses but also driven sustainable development in Africa.
We are thrilled to witness their growth, sustainability, and profound positive impact on their communities, and we celebrate their success as a testament to the power of innovation and dedication
Swipe to see positive feedback from some of our fellows.
Joyce Rugano
Founder, EcoRich Solutions, Kenya
Ecorich Solutions Limited expresses gratitude to the Sahara Group Foundation for the $5,000 grant received in early 2024. This grant has significantly advanced our mission to transform organic waste into high-quality fertilizer for small-scale farmers.
The grant has inevitably supported Ecorich Solution to increase technology production capacity by enabling an upgrade to the Wastebot technology, boosting organic waste processing capacity by 20%. We expanded community outreach engaging over one thousand farmers, onboarding 100 new farmers, and creating 15 new job opportunities. We also strengthened operational efficiency by the implementation of a digital waste monitoring system that increased our production output by 20%.
Through the grant we were able to overcome challenges and facilitated outreach to remote farming communities in Kiambu County, Kenya, benefiting over 1,200 farmers. We aim to impact 5,000 farmers in the next 6 months and 10,000 in the next 2 years. Ecorich Solutions is dedicated to sustainable agriculture and community empowerment and we are confident in scaling operations with continued support from partners like the Sahara Group Foundation.
Jolis Nduwimana
CEO and Founder of WEGE COMPANY, Burundi
Since receiving the SIF Fund, we have achieved several milestones. We were able to purchase a new machine, which significantly increased our production capacity by 5%, resulting in more job opportunities for unemployed youth and the local community involved in the raw material collection. Additionally, our impact on waste management, recycling, and carbon reduction has improved by 30%.
Overall, the fund helped us overcome challenges such as limited capital for expansion and production scale-up. It also contributed to our business’s growth by enabling investment in technology, research, and development, leading to increased production capacity, improved product quality, and expanded market reach.
Philipo Kitungano
Founder, Kigoma Eco-cultural Tourism Enterprise, Tanzania
Before receiving the funds, we faced challenges with our website visibility. However, after securing the funds, we were able to address this issue, and our tourism enterprise has achieved significant milestones as a result. With the funds, we increased the number of tourists by improving our marketing strategies and updating our website. We enhanced its attractiveness and effectiveness through Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to attract more customers, resulting in over 60 international visitors from January to June. Additionally, we experienced a significant increase in revenue. Our revenue soared from $3,200 last year to $21,000 in the first half of this year, marking a remarkable change.
Moreover, we saw growth in our workforce, expanding our team to 130 women and youth who facilitate sustainable community-based tourism activities. These activities include traditional dances, local food experiences, canoeing at Lake Tanganyika, and guided tours.
Andrew Mpashi
Co-Founder, Twalima Agro Solutions Limited, Zambia
Over the past six months, Twalima Agro has made significant progress in its mission to improve the lives of local farmers and communities. Firstly, the successful completion of the Sahara Impact Fund workshop session helped us refine our business model and value proposition. With the grant, we increased our production capacity by purchasing machinery to expand our workshop and launched Twalima Energies, a subsidiary of Twalima Agro. We also introduced and launched FarmGas, our gas distribution brand, packaging biogas in 3 kg and 6 kg cylinders similar to traditional LPG. Currently, we distribute this gas to households in Mazabuka, Zambia, and aim to serve 1,000 households with clean cooking gas by the end of the year. Additionally, we purchased motorbikes that have enabled us to significantly expand our distribution reach and raise awareness about clean cooking in remote areas. As a result, we have trained over 600 women in using cooking gas and sustainable practices.
Adegoke Muideen Adewale
Founder of DigitAgric Integrated limited, Nigeria
Receiving the $5,000 fund has transformed our business. Since obtaining the fund, we have achieved significant milestones. We expanded our product line to include eco-friendly liquid organic fertilizer, which has substantially increased our customer base and satisfaction.
Additionally, we were able to upgrade our website URL: www.digitagric.com, enhancing user experience and streamlining our e-commerce process, leading to a 30% increase in online sales.
The fund has helped DigitAgric Integrated Limited to overcome specific challenges and assisted us manage cash flow during our expansion, allowing us to invest in marketing and hire additional staff to handle the increased workload, ensuring smooth operations without compromising quality.
Overall, the fund has been instrumental in our growth and success. It has enabled us to scale our business, improve our offerings, and maintain a competitive edge in the market. We are now better positioned to achieve our long-term goals and continue our journey toward sustainable growth.
Muofhe Ratshikombo
CEO, Oumie's Grandè, South Africa
The Sahara Impact Fund Workshop has been incredibly beneficial for our business. We gained valuable knowledge and skills in marketing, financial management, and strategic planning, which has greatly enhanced our efficiency, marketing effectiveness, and long-term growth strategies.
The funds from the Sahara Group Foundation have significantly contributed to our business growth and success. With this support, we expanded our operations to Gauteng, purchased raw materials, and increased our production capacity. Consequently, we were able to enhance our output, reach a larger customer base, and generate higher revenue, thereby amplifying our impact.
These funds have contributed to our business growth by increasing our financial and human resources. We were able to hire additional staff and boost production capacity, leading to higher output, improved product quality, and the ability to meet growing market demand.
Moreover, the recognition received from the Sahara Group Foundation boosted our credibility and reputation, increasing trust among customers, partners, and investors, which further drove our business growth. We were able to expand our network by establishing strategic partnerships, gaining new clients, and increasing our market presence, opening new opportunities for collaboration and access to new distribution channels.
Paul Nnaluo
Founder, Gas Monkey, Nigeria
The Sahara Group Foundation’s funding has greatly expanded Gasmonkey’s product range, resulting in the creation of Gasmonkey’s Cook 100. This is a smart gas meter that allows owners of steel gas cylinders to receive updates on their mobile phones via Bluetooth. With the funding, we developed a smart gas stove designed to work with 1-3 kg cylinders, which ensures safe and steady cooking without open flames. It includes heat conversion technology to generate electric power for lighting bulbs or charging mobile phones while cooking. These developments have been a major project that has helped us better align our products with the needs of our target audience, advancing our mission of providing clean cooking solutions to those in need. We express our profound gratitude to the Sahara Foundation for their invaluable support.
Kehinde Fashola
Founder, Fizzle Power Tech, Nigeria
After receiving a grant from the Sahara Group Foundation, Fizzle Power Tech has achieved significant milestones. The company is currently in negotiations to secure a pre-seed round with major international financiers and is also in investment discussions with Get.Invest, engaging potential financiers. We aim to raise USD 250,000 in pre-seed funding to support our blockchain-powered Pay-As-You-Go solar energy solution.
While the initial grant provided crucial support, the subsequent post-fellowship assistance has had a substantial impact. The high caliber of individuals we encountered through the Sahara Impact Fund program, many of whom now serve as our mentors, has been invaluable. Their guidance and expertise have played a pivotal role in navigating the complexities of scaling our business and accessing additional investment opportunities.
The mentoring and networking opportunities facilitated by the foundation have empowered us to implement a robust digital marketing strategy, resulting in a significant increase in online sales. These connections have also led to new business collaborations, contributing to our overall growth and success.
The support extended by the Sahara Group Foundation has indeed been instrumental in the evolution of Fizzle Power Tech, and we are deeply appreciative
Ainomugisha Shifra
Founder SOLA FAM, Uganda
After receiving the fund, we have achieved significant milestones that have propelled our business forward. One notable achievement is the launch of an additional solar-powered cold room, which greatly expanded our capacity to preserve perishable food and reduce post-harvest losses for farmers. This new facility allows us to serve more farmers, enhancing their ability to store and sell their produce in optimal conditions.
In addition, we introduced an AI-powered chatbot named “LYN,” which connects farmers to commercial food buyers and has enabled us to reach nearly 2,000 farmers with limited resources. LYN provides real-time market trends and best practices while facilitating direct communication between farmers and buyers, streamlining the supply chain and increasing farmers’ revenue potential.
The support from the fund has been instrumental in overcoming specific challenges, particularly in investment readiness and product development. The program provided us with the necessary resources and mentorship to refine our business strategies, making us more attractive to potential investors. This preparation was crucial as we navigated the competitive landscape and sought additional funding to scale our operations.
The journey with the Sahara Group Foundation has been transformative, enabling us to reach new heights and make a lasting impact on the communities we serve. We are deeply grateful for this incredible opportunity.
Timothy Munthali
Founder, Tawonga Cooking Oil Processing Enterprise, Malawi
Thanks to the Sahara Impact Fund, our business has achieved significant growth. We have transformed from a sole proprietorship to a company limited by shares and revamped our cooking oil packaging. With the fund’s support, we have also trained over 5,100 small-scale women and youth farmers in sustainable agriculture, planted 800,500 trees and restored 1,000 hectares of land in Nkhatabay, Rumphi, and Mzimba districts in Malawi.
Our revenue has seen a substantial increase, from $23,500 to $41,000, and we have doubled our cooking oil stock to 21,500 liters. Additionally, our workforce has grown from 13 to 20 permanent employees. The fund has also helped us expand our market reach to 8 districts from just 2 in Malawi.