New waste management initiative unveiled to support SME's

The Kenya Climate Innovation Centre (KCIC) has launched a new programme aimed at revolutionising the country's waste management industry, with a focus on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).

The 'Sustainable Waste Innovation for a Future in Transition (SWIFT)' programme aims to promote a circular, green, and inclusive economy in Kenya by supporting waste entrepreneurs and strengthening sustainable waste management policy.

The IKEA Foundation has provided $5.1 million to sponsor the three-year curriculum.

According to KCIC, the SWIFT programme will benefit 110 businesses around the country.

Business consulting, technical assistance, coaching, and financing will be provided to help bring new business models that adopt circular economy concepts to fruition.

Speaking during the official launch on Thursday, the Principal Secretary of the State Department for Environment and Climate Change, Festus Ng'eno, emphasised the need for a collaborative approach to addressing the challenge of waste management in the country.

“The launch of this programme presents a significant opportunity for Kenya to showcase its leadership in sustainable waste management on the global stage. Together, we can demonstrate that a cleaner, greener future is within our reach. Collectively, we can build a future where waste is not a burden but a valuable resource,” Ng’eno said.

KCIC CEO Joseph Murabula said the launch of the programme underscores the belief that climate change presents not only a challenge but also opportunities for innovation and economic growth.

“Together, let us build a future where waste is not a problem to be managed but a valuable resource to be harnessed,” he said.

IKEA Foundation’s Programme Manager, Patrick Obonyo, said they are proud to work with KCIC to create green jobs to enable people in Kenya to afford a better life for themselves and their families and also protect the planet in a meaningful way.

“We know, for instance, that waste and dump sites contribute 20 per cent of methane emissions. As a foundation and only KCIC, we cannot solve the problem alone. We believe that the opportunity here is for everyone to be able to do something. We can either sit and complain or decide to act at an individual level to keep our environment clean. There’s also an opportunity for other donors and development partners to come in and support this programme, so we can collectively accelerate Kenya’s transition to a circular economy,” he said.

The SWIFT Programme targets to generate over 6,000 direct and indirect jobs and improve the livelihoods of over 5,000 households.

This also includes seeing supported enterprises generate up to $10 million in revenue.

In addition, the programme will collaborate with the national government and five counties, including Nairobi, Mombasa, Nakuru, Kisumu, and Uasin Gishu, to support the development of policies and regulations to incentivise public and private sector engagement in sustainable waste management.

The call for applications is currently open to all enterprises meeting the eligibility criteria outlined by KCIC.

Applications can be submitted online through the KCIC website by February 29, 2024.