By transforming waste plastic into fuel and gas, I not only contribute to mitigating pollution but also create valuable resources from what was previously considered waste.
Janepher Matini - Founder of Kyuka Ventures Innovation Hub
2024 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge Finalist, Sub-Saharan Africa Region
Janepher Matini, co-founder of Kyuka Ventures, exemplifies the spirit of innovation and resilience. Raised in the slum community of Kampala, she experienced firsthand the devastating effects of poor waste management, including contracting cholera, which nearly claimed her life. This personal ordeal, coupled with inspiration drawn from advanced waste management systems in countries like Germany, propelled her on a mission to tackle Uganda’s environmental and waste crises.
Circular Economy Approach
Matini’s innovative approach centers on plastic collection and recycling, a pressing issue in her community. Her venture, Kyuka Ventures, focuses on transforming waste plastic into valuable resources such as fuel and gas. This initiative not only mitigates pollution but also addresses energy poverty by providing a sustainable alternative to traditional fuels.
Kyuka Ventures employs Soot-free reactive extraction technology to convert plastic waste into clean cooking fuel. This technology aligns with Uganda’s Draft Energy Policy of 2019 and significantly reduces pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The initiative safeguards over 25,000 households from hygiene-related diseases, reduces child mortality by 35%, and enhances maternal health by 65%.
Commitment to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Through their innovative circular economy approach, Kyuka Ventures is committed to advancing Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 13 (Climate Action). The company’s proprietary process for converting plastic waste into fuel sets it apart from competitors, and successful pilot tests have validated the solution’s efficacy (SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy).
Kyuka Ventures’ impact is multifaceted. The company prioritizes empowering marginalized youth and women through income-generating opportunities in waste collection and processing. This approach ensures the inclusion of vulnerable groups in the economic growth driven by sustainable practices (SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production). By integrating waste management with healthcare access, Kyuka Ventures uses waste as a financial resource for micro health insurance, improving healthcare access for uninsured individuals.
Future Plans
Looking ahead, Kyuka Ventures aims to recycle 10 million tons of plastic waste in the next five years, preserving over 1,000 acres of forest land and significantly reducing CO2 emissions. The company’s scalable business model is poised to capture a substantial market share in the clean cooking fuel sector, expected to reach USD 1,012 million by 2030.
Janepher Matini’s story is one of vision, perseverance, and transformative impact. Through Kyuka Ventures, she continues to revolutionize plastic waste management and energy provision in Uganda, driving sustainable development and empowering communities.
My journey underscores my innovativeness, adaptability, and perseverance in tackling complex societal challenges. I am committed to leveraging my skills and passion to drive positive change in Uganda’s environmental landscape, inspired by the potential for transformative impact.
By Grace Reiter, WE Empower Intern