Ebusaka

The specific problem we are addressing is the inefficient waste management system in Zambia, which is contributing to environmental degradation and climate change. The lack of digital tools for municipal councils and service providers to plan better and increase efficiency in waste collection and recycling has resulted in 55% of waste (2.05 million tons) not being collected each year in Zambia, with potential revenue losses of USD 69.43 million annually. Furthermore, less than 4% of the recyclable waste (representing USD 129 million in potential revenue) is recycled, and 90% of all waste generated ends up in landfills without any sense of circularity.

This problem is not unique to Zambia, as low- and middle-income countries are projected to experience the greatest increase in global waste, which is expected to reach 3.40 billion tons by 2050. This inefficient waste management contributes to climate change through the release of greenhouse gases from landfills and incineration of waste, as well as the environmental degradation of water and soil resources.

Our solution aims to promote a circular economy in Zambia and incentivize recycling at the household level, ultimately improving waste management and reducing the negative impact of waste on communities and the environment. By implementing digital waste management tools, we can improve the efficiency of waste collection and recycling, and ultimately reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills. This will not only help mitigate the effects of climate change, but also create new economic opportunities through the creation of a circular economy that benefits communities and local businesses.

The scale of the problem in Zambia is significant, with millions of people affected by the negative impacts of inefficient waste management. Our solution has the potential to impact the lives of millions of people in Zambia and beyond by promoting sustainable waste management practices that reduce the impact of waste on the environment and help mitigate the effects of climate change

Our solution is Ebusaka, a digital waste management platform designed to improve waste collection, recycling, and management in Zambia. Ebusaka is a cloud-based software that uses mobile and web applications to connect households, service providers, and municipal councils. It enables households to track their waste, learn about recycling, and earn rewards for their recycling efforts. At the same time, it provides real-time data to service providers and municipal councils to help them plan better, increase efficiency, and reduce operational costs.

Ebusaka works in a simple and user-friendly way. Households use the Ebusaka mobile application to register, schedule their waste collection, and track their recycling efforts. The app provides households with educational content on recycling and tips on how to reduce waste. When households recycle, they earn points that can be exchanged for discounts at participating shops or donated to charity organizations.

Service providers, on the other hand, use the Ebusaka web application to manage their fleet, track their collection routes, and monitor their performance. The web application provides real-time data on the status of collection routes, waste volumes, and the performance of the fleet. This data enables service providers to optimize their routes, improve their services, and reduce operational costs.

Municipal councils use the Ebusaka platform to monitor waste management in their jurisdictions, analyze data, and make informed decisions. The platform provides real-time data on waste generation, collection, and disposal, enabling municipal councils to identify areas that need improvement and allocate resources accordingly.

Ebusaka uses cutting-edge technology to provide a seamless and efficient waste management solution. The platform leverages the Internet of Things (IoT) to enable real-time tracking of waste volumes, collection times, and fleet performance. It also uses data analytics to provide insights into waste generation patterns, recycling trends, and operational performance.

Ebusaka is designed to be scalable and customizable, making it suitable for deployment in other regions with similar waste management challenges. It is also designed to be inclusive, with features that cater to the needs of people with disabilities and low literacy levels.

Overall, Ebusaka provides a comprehensive waste management solution that promotes a circular economy, incentivizes recycling, and improves waste collection and management. It is a practical and sustainable solution that addresses a critical issue in Zambia and beyond.

Here is a link to a demo video of the Ebusaka platform: https://youtu.be/IAGHo-QsMSs

Our solution serves municipalities and waste management service providers in Zambia, who are currently facing significant challenges in efficiently collecting, recycling, and managing waste. Municipalities in Zambia currently rely on manual processes and outdated technologies, which results in inefficiencies, low recycling rates, and high operating costs. Additionally, the lack of data and transparency in the waste management process creates an environment that is vulnerable to corruption and mismanagement.

Our solution provides a digital platform that enables municipalities and service providers to plan and optimize waste collection routes, monitor waste collection in real-time, and track the movement of waste from households to landfills or recycling facilities. The platform also provides data analytics and reporting, which allows municipalities and service providers to identify trends, measure performance, and make data-driven decisions.

By providing this digital platform, we aim to improve the efficiency and transparency of waste management in Zambia, which will have a direct impact on the lives of citizens. More efficient waste management will lead to cleaner and healthier communities, reduced pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and increased recycling rates, which will have a positive impact on the environment. In addition, by incentivizing recycling at the household level, our solution promotes a circular economy, which creates opportunities for job creation and economic growth.

Our solution also serves waste collectors, who are typically informal and marginalized workers in Zambia. By providing digital tools and data analytics, we aim to formalize the waste collection industry, which will lead to increased job security, improved working conditions, and better pay. By incentivizing recycling at the household level, our solution will also create a market for recyclable waste, which will increase the income of waste collectors.

Overall, our solution will have a significant impact on the lives of citizens in Zambia by creating a more efficient, transparent, and sustainable waste management system. The benefits will be felt by all stakeholders in the waste management industry, from municipalities and service providers to waste collectors and citizens.

Firstly, our team has a wealth of experience in different fields that are relevant to delivering this solution. As the founder and CEO, I have 7 years of experience in corporate event management and have developed skills in company growth, IT support solutions, budgeting, digital marketing, creative thinking, and planning. I am also an award-winning innovator with a Bachelor of Computer Applications from India.

Our Chief Technological Officer and Lead Developer, Michael, has ten years of experience as a full-stack developer with expertise in the creation of mobile and web applications, user experience design (UX/UI), software testing for web development, project management, online marketing, information security, IT consulting, and graphic design.

Rabecca, our Business Development Manager, has ten years of experience in the telecom sector and has worked for prominent companies. She is a financial analyst and specialist in business development with an MBA in finance and a bachelor's degree in economics.

Pamela, our Operations Manager, has experience in project management and administration through her work with multinational organizations and event management.

Our team is well-positioned to deliver this solution because we are deeply familiar with the challenges faced by communities in waste management. Our team lead and members have a strong connection to the communities we aim to serve. We are committed to understanding their needs by engaging them in the development process to ensure the solution is tailored to their specific requirements.

To understand the needs of the community, we have been conducting surveys and holding focus groups to gather feedback on their current waste management practices and identify areas that need improvement. We have also been working closely with community leaders and waste management officials to understand the existing waste management system's shortcomings and identify opportunities for improvement.

We believe in community-led development and are dedicated to ensuring that the design and implementation of our solution are guided by the community's input, ideas, and agendas. We are committed to making sure that our solution is tailored to the needs of the community, and we believe that our team's experience and connection with the community make us the right people to design and deliver this solution.

We are currently serving 500 users for our pilot test

We are applying to Solve because we believe that it is a unique platform that can help us advance our solution and achieve our goals. We recognize that the challenges we are addressing are complex and multifaceted, and require collaboration and support from various stakeholders to achieve meaningful impact. We see Solve as an opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations who are passionate about creating positive change in the world.

One of the main barriers we face is the lack of financial resources to fully develop and implement our solution. We have a solid plan and a clear understanding of the needs and challenges of the communities we serve, but we require financial support to develop our digital waste management platform and scale it up to reach a wider audience. We hope that Solve can provide us with access to funding opportunities and investors who share our vision and are willing to support our solution.

In addition to financial support, we also face technical and legal barriers in terms of data protection and privacy regulations. Our digital platform will require the collection and processing of personal data, which is subject to strict regulations in many countries, including Zambia. We hope that Solve can provide us with guidance and resources on how to navigate these complex legal frameworks and ensure that our platform is compliant with all relevant regulations.

Another important challenge we face is the lack of awareness and understanding of the importance of proper waste management practices and the potential benefits of a circular economy. We believe that education and awareness-raising are critical components of our solution, and we hope that Solve can provide us with access to communication and marketing experts who can help us develop effective outreach strategies and campaigns.

Overall, we see Solve as an opportunity to connect with a diverse network of partners and supporters who can help us overcome the various barriers we face and advance our solution. We are not solely focused on raising funds, but rather on building meaningful partnerships and collaborations that can help us achieve our vision of a more sustainable and circular waste management system in Zambia and beyond.

Our solution is innovative in several ways. First, we are leveraging cutting-edge technologies, such as IoT sensors and AI, to create a smart waste management system. This system will help to optimize waste collection and disposal processes, leading to significant improvements in efficiency and effectiveness.

Second, our solution is designed to be highly scalable and adaptable. By using a modular design approach, we can easily customize the system to fit the unique needs and constraints of different communities. This flexibility also allows us to expand our solution to new regions and markets, helping to catalyze positive impacts on a larger scale.

Third, we are taking a community-driven approach to our solution. We are engaging with local stakeholders and residents to understand their needs and priorities when it comes to waste management. By involving the community in the design and implementation of our solution, we are ensuring that it is tailored to their specific needs and will be embraced by them.

Our solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts in the waste management space. By demonstrating the effectiveness of a smart waste management system, we can inspire other companies and organizations to adopt similar approaches. This could lead to a more widespread adoption of smart technologies in waste management, which could ultimately lead to significant improvements in environmental sustainability.

Additionally, our solution could change the market by disrupting traditional waste management models. Currently, waste management is largely dominated by large, centralized companies that often operate inefficiently and have limited incentive to innovate. By introducing a community-driven, tech-enabled approach to waste management, we are challenging the status quo and creating a new model that is more sustainable, efficient, and effective. This could lead to increased competition in the waste management space and ultimately benefit communities and the environment

Our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are aligned with our mission to create a more sustainable and healthier environment by improving waste management in residential areas.

In the next year, we aim to reach at least 5,000 households in our target communities and provide them with access to our waste management solution. This will result in a reduction of at least 50% of waste generated by these households, leading to a cleaner and healthier environment. Additionally, we plan to create at least 20 new jobs in our local community through the expansion of our solution.

Over the next five years, our goal is to expand our solution to reach at least 100,000 households across the country, resulting in a reduction of waste by 75%. We aim to create at least 100 new jobs in our local communities through the expansion of our operations. Additionally, we plan to work closely with local governments to develop policies and regulations that promote sustainable waste management practices.

To achieve these impact goals, we plan to implement the following strategies:

1. Collaborate with local communities: We will engage with local communities to understand their needs and challenges related to waste management. By involving them in the development and implementation of our solution, we can ensure that it is tailored to their specific needs and context.

2. Partner with local organizations: We will collaborate with local organizations and waste management companies to leverage their expertise and resources. This will enable us to scale our operations and reach more households.

3. Raise awareness: We will conduct outreach and educational programs to raise awareness about the importance of sustainable waste management practices. By educating households on the negative impacts of improper waste disposal and the benefits of our solution, we can encourage more households to adopt our solution.

4. Innovate and iterate: We will continuously innovate and improve our solution based on feedback from our users and community partners. By incorporating new technologies and approaches, we can optimize our solution and maximize its impact.

Overall, we are committed to creating a more sustainable future through our waste management solution. We believe that by working closely with local communities and organizations, we can achieve our impact goals and catalyze broader positive impacts in this space. Our solution has the potential to change the market by providing an affordable and accessible waste management solution for households and businesses.

Here are some indicators associated with the UN Sustainable Development Goals that align with our solution:

Goal 3. Good Health and Well-being

• Indicator 3.9.1: Mortality rate attributed to household and ambient air pollution

Goal 6. Clean Water and Sanitation

• Indicator 6.1.1: Proportion of population using safely managed drinking water services
• Indicator 6.2.1: Proportion of population using safely managed sanitation services, including a hand-washing facility with soap and water

Goal 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

• Indicator 11.6.1: Proportion of urban solid waste regularly collected and with adequate final discharge out of total urban solid waste generated, by cities

Goal 12. Responsible Consumption and Production

• Indicator 12.2.1: Material footprint, material footprint per capita, and material footprint per GDP

Goal 13. Climate Action

• Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have communicated the strengthening of institutional, systemic and individual capacity-building to implement adaptation, mitigation and technology transfer, and development actions

Goal 17. Partnerships for the Goals

• Indicator 17.16.1: Number of countries reporting progress in multi-stakeholder development effectiveness monitoring frameworks that support the achievement of the sustainable development goals

Here is our theory of change for our waste management solution:

Assumptions:

• Inadequate waste management leads to negative impacts on health, environment, and economic productivity in the community.
• Community members are willing to participate in waste management initiatives if they are convenient, affordable, and accessible.
• Public and private stakeholders are willing to invest in sustainable waste management solutions if they demonstrate social, environmental, and economic benefits.

Inputs:

• A team of waste management experts with experience in community engagement, education, and implementation.
• Funding from public and private stakeholders to support waste management infrastructure, equipment, and education.
• Partnerships with local government, NGOs, and community organizations to ensure sustainable waste management practices are integrated into existing systems.

Activities:

• Conduct a needs assessment to identify community-specific waste management challenges, existing infrastructure, and resource needs.
• Develop and implement an education campaign to increase awareness of waste management best practices and engage community members in waste reduction and recycling efforts.
• Install waste collection points in strategic locations to increase accessibility and convenience of proper waste disposal.
• Establish partnerships with local waste management companies to ensure safe and effective disposal of collected waste.
• Monitor and evaluate waste management processes and outcomes to continually improve and adjust initiatives.

Outputs:

• Increased availability and accessibility of waste collection points.
• Increased awareness of waste management best practices and participation in waste reduction and recycling efforts.
• Increased collaboration and investment from public and private stakeholders in sustainable waste management solutions.

Outcomes:

• Reduction in environmental pollution and negative health impacts associated with inadequate waste management.
• Increased economic productivity through the development of a sustainable waste management industry.
• Improved quality of life and well-being for community members.
• Increased adoption of sustainable waste management practices beyond the immediate target community.

Impact:

• Improved public health, economic growth, and environmental sustainability in the target community and beyond.

Ebusaka, is a web and mobile application that aims to enhance waste management by providing guidance on effective garbage recycling, connecting trash producers with garbage collectors and recyclers, and offering a platform for community access to service providers and the neighborhood Municipal Council.

Ebusaka offers three different services:

1. Ebusaka Connect: This service app enables rubbish collection services to be requested and scheduled on cellphones by companies and families. Users can also report unlawful dumping and exchange their trash for money or points.

2. Ebusaka Partner: This service helps waste collectors optimize rubbish collection spots while traversing around the city through comprehensive routing and logistics solutions. Urban planners can also use the platform to make informed plans for their cities thanks to the addition of data collecting on the generation of residential garbage.

3. Ebusaka Cloud: This service establishes a connection between municipal authorities and trash collection companies to enable the assessment of the field productivity of garbage collection vehicles. Users can find served locations, see active jobs, and follow garbage pickup vehicles in real-time. Additionally, the platform includes the garbage collection taxes fees administration service, enabling tax collecting agents to be tracked in relation to the number of serviced sites and tax collected.

Overall, Ebusaka uses digital technology to help solve the problem of waste management by connecting different actors in the waste management ecosystem and offering data intelligence to drive economic growth in the circular economy.

Diversity, equity, and inclusivity should be core values and integrated into all aspects of an organization. This includes promoting diversity within the leadership team, ensuring equal access to opportunities and resources, and creating a culture of inclusion where everyone feels valued and respected. It is important to identify and address any biases or barriers that may exist within the organization and take steps to mitigate them.

Actions that can be taken include implementing diversity and inclusion training, actively recruiting and promoting individuals from underrepresented groups, establishing equitable hiring and promotion practices, and creating a safe and inclusive environment where individuals can share their perspectives and experiences. Additionally, it is important to continuously evaluate and improve diversity, equity, and inclusivity efforts to ensure they are effective and sustainable.

Our business model is centered around providing value to our customers and beneficiaries through the provision of waste management services and promoting a circular economy. Our solution offers a web and mobile application called Ebusaka that provides various services to users, including waste collection scheduling, data intelligence, and financial solutions.

We generate revenue through several means, including charging a 5% commission on each monthly waste collection subscription purchased through our platform, offering premium pickup services for off-days, displaying advertisements on our platform, engaging in corporate sponsorships, supplying recyclers with recyclables, and selling plastic credits to companies that manufacture plastics.

Our key customers and beneficiaries include households, small businesses, waste collectors, recyclers, and municipal councils. Our products and services aim to help these stakeholders manage waste effectively, reduce the negative impact of waste on the environment, and promote the circular economy. Through our platform, we provide convenience, cost savings, and data intelligence to our users, making waste management easier and more accessible for everyone.

Our plan for becoming financially sustainable involves a combination of revenue streams. Firstly, we will earn revenue by taking a commission of 5% on each monthly waste collection subscription purchased through our portal. Additionally, we plan to offer premium on-demand pickup for off-days, which will also generate revenue. We will also seek corporate sponsorship deals and advertising opportunities to generate revenue.

Furthermore, we plan to supply recyclers with recyclable materials and sell plastic credits to manufacturers to reduce their plastic impact. We will also generate revenue through our reverse vending machine, which will collect plastic bottles and cans to sell to recyclers while displaying ads on its LED screen.

In the long term, our revenue streams are expected to cover our expenses and allow us to continue our work in promoting effective garbage recycling, enhancing service delivery, and driving economic growth in the circular economy.

As a relatively new venture, our financial sustainability plan is still in its early stages of implementation. However, we have made some progress towards achieving financial sustainability through our various revenue streams and successful fundraising efforts.

One key success has been our participation in the MTN Momo Hackathon Challenge 2022, where we were awarded first place and received a grant of USD 5,000. This grant has enabled us to further develop and improve our digital solution, as well as expand our marketing and outreach efforts.

We were also successful in winning a competition to develop strategies for sustainable waste management and recycling, which resulted in a grant of USD 4,000 from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This grant has allowed us to conduct research and implement additional features into our solution, such as the reverse vending machine and the Ebusaka Cloud platform.

In addition to grants, we have also generated revenue through our various revenue streams, such as our commission-based model for monthly waste collection subscriptions purchased through our portal. We have also provided on-demand premium pickup services for off-days and have leveraged corporate sponsorships to generate revenue.

Furthermore, through our crowdsourcing efforts and personal savings, we were able to raise USD 10,000 in funding, which has been used to cover operational expenses and expand our team.

Lastly, we were awarded commodity IT equipment worth $5,000 from the AGS Programme - Accelerated Growth for SMEs in Zambia. This equipment has been instrumental in enhancing our technological capabilities and improving our overall service delivery.

Overall, while we are still in the early stages of our financial sustainability plan, we are proud of the progress we have made so far and remain committed to exploring new revenue streams and fundraising opportunities to ensure the long-term success and impact of our solution.