In Kenya, we have long been known as a hotbed of entrepreneurship. We piloted the explosion of business incubators and accelerators around the world for almost 20 years.
In so doing, we became an epicentre for fintech, NGO delivery innovation, low-cost quality healthcare, creative education, among many other sectors.
However, simultaneously, we are facing a growing waste management challenge nationally as we generate an estimated eight million tonnes of waste annually, which puts pressure on our natural resources and eco systems that threaten our quality of life and our precious value chains necessary for continued entrepreneurship.
Interestingly, as a result of striving to solve the waste issue, Kenya is now building a reputation as a leader in a whole new type of entrepreneurship for the developing world. The concept of circular economy is gaining measurable steam across East Africa led right here in Kenya.
Circular economy refers to business approaches that improve environmental sustainability and performance by adopting circular solutions, developing sustainable and circular businesses, expanding green business models, and creating green jobs through more sustainable consumption and production practices.
While several European countries like Denmark make great strides in large systemic cross-industry circular economy, here in Kenya we are progressing as a leader in green entrepreneurship and circular economy small business startups and scaling up ventures.
Recently, the European Union and a consortium led by HIVOS launched the SWITCH Kenya Green project that aims to develop sustainable and circular businesses through fostering access to finance and improving businesses sustainability and performance leading to sustainment and creation of green jobs.
Programme manager Ndinda Maithya hopes it will help support Kenyan micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMES) which are central to our economy but still face significant barriers in transitioning to circular economy models.
Some of these challenges include limited access to finance, technical capacity gaps, weak market systems, and policy implementation constraints.
The European Union also supports other initiatives around the green and circular economy in Kenya as implemented through the German GIZ. Additionally, the Swedish International Development Agency launched a new programme with the African Enterprise Challenge Fund to invest in and scale up green business ventures. Further, the Embassy of Finland in Kenya is focusing greater attention toward the circular economy.
Why do donors and investors choose Kenyan businesses to boost circular economy initiatives?
Jeremy Kaburu with Sustainability in Business highlights how Kenya holds a strong policy framework to support the circular economy and interested entrepreneurs. Many new startups across the country are piloting innovative solutions to plastics, organic waste, and textiles waste.
Government Spokesperson Isaac Mwaura recently reconfirmed the national government’s commitment to fostering such innovative circular economy entrepreneurship. Further, counties such as Mombasa, Kilifi, Nairobi, and Makueni are taking leadership roles in prioritising green entrepreneurship.
Jackson Koimbori with the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) emphasises that even the private sector and member organisations are keen to support circular economy entrepreneurs. Kepsa and Sustainability in Business run circular economy initiatives across the country.
Even Kenya’s largest bank, KCB and its KCB Foundation, have begun heavily supporting circular economy entrepreneurs with loans, training, and investor linkages.
Circular economy researcher Peter Kariithi showcases how even university incubators, like the one at USIU-Africa and others, as well as leading East African accelerators like Somo Africa are pivoting toward sustainable, social, and circular entrepreneurship.
The education commitment in Kenya even goes much deeper to the policy and government involvement. Anne Kamonjo, the Director of Greening with the State Department of TVETs highlights how vocational training across the country is now infusing green entrepreneurship and circular economy principles into institutions and curriculum.
Kenya is taking a lead. Entrepreneurs would do well to sit up and take notice. Investors, incubators, accelerators, banks, counties, and the national government are beginning to champion green entrepreneurship and the sustainable environment principles of a circular economy approach.
Let us be proud of Kenya’s global leadership role in this important emerging and growing field of entrepreneurship. Interested entrepreneurs and circular economy businesses should feel free to reach out to the above organisations for support and linkages to help turn Kenya ever and ever greener.
Have a management or leadership issue, question, or challenge? Reach out to Dr Scott through @ScottProfessor on X or on email [email protected].
