In 2022, when the program began, there were some persistent issues facing Mombasa County in terms of plastic waste:
Yet Mombasa also presented an opportunity. As a county, Mombasa continues to be committed to tackling the problem of marine plastic waste, with the Mombasa County Government driving forward change. Mombasa is also home to a youthful population with entrepreneurial potential, high rates of urban migration and a growing innovation ecosystem.
The Mombasa Plastics Prize and Incubator ran from September 2022 to May 2024, during which time 57 innovators were supported, 14 ideas were developed and 9 teams progressed their prototypes into formalised businesses.
The Mombasa Plastics Prize, primarily funded by USAID and with support from Global Affairs Canada, aimed to encourage innovation and awareness of the plastic waste problem among youth innovators in Mombasa County, by inspiring the development of solutions that tackle the issue of marine plastic waste mismanagement, especially within informal settlements.
The program was delivered by Challenge Works in close collaboration with other organisations working across the innovation ecosystem in Mombasa County and beyond.
This prize built on the work of the Afri-Plastics Challenge, funded by Global Affairs Canada, which aims to reduce marine plastics in sub-Saharan African countries by developing and scaling innovative solutions to plastic mismanagement.
From 2023 to 2024, the MPP Incubator aimed to reduce marine plastics waste in Mombasa County’s informal settlements by driving the development of youth-led sustainable businesses.
It followed on from the successful initial phase of Mombasa Plastics Prize (MPP), which took place between September 2022 and May 2023 and supported 57 young entrepreneurs.
The MPP Incubator worked with nine teams from MPP to progress their prototypes into sustainable businesses. These teams were on a journey to become sustainable businesses tackling plastic waste pollution. The MPP Incubator provided them with access to bespoke capacity-building support and partnerships to advance their incredible efforts to tackle this pertinent and pressing issue, and build on their impact across Mombasa County and beyond.
At the end of the process, the nine teams celebrated their achievements at an exciting Enterprise Event, which highlighted the outstanding work they had each done to set a benchmark for sustainable development in Mombasa and beyond; cumulatively collecting over 23 tonnes of waste and creating a pipeline of 545 green jobs.
Of the nine enterprises formed during the Incubator phase…
of marine plastic waste was reduced, recycled, reused, refused, repurposed, and eliminated by the supported solutions
in Mombasa (aged 18 to 25 years old) were supported to develop innovative solutions to plastic waste
felt that the Mombasa Plastic Prize and Incubator added value to their solutions and that they gained new knowledge and insights
came from informal settlements in Mombasa
were women
of training and coaching were delivered
The Enterprise
Capapo Solutions crafts sustainable, eco-conscious construction materials. By utilizing recycled plastic waste, they produce building solutions that are not only stronger than concrete, but also zero-maintenance, durable, and pest-resistant. These innovative building products both follow global green building practices and offer affordable and durable alternatives for modern construction needs.
The Solution
Capapo Solution produces “Eco-poles”, i.e. durable plastic panels made of converted plastic waste. This versatile solution has the potential to supplant traditional construction materials and serve as the building blocks for sturdy temporary structures, including refugee camps and business stalls, as well as essential community facilities like public restrooms.
The Enterprise
Clean Tech Collectors is developing a tech-driven approach to waste collection. Their mission is to make waste management more efficient, accessible, and user-friendly, harnessing technology to support community cleanliness and sustainability.
The Solution
Clean Tech Collectors are designing an app to automate and enhance the efficiency of waste logistics, much like Uber does for transportation. They aim to generate sustainable revenue through a subscription-based model, product promotion, and sales via an e-commerce platform.
The Enterprise
Eco-Prints Generation advances 3D printing technology with their eco-friendly, high-quality filaments, under the tagline “3D printing the future”. They ensure sustainability by partnering with waste collectors and recyclers to convert discarded plastics into premium, refined filaments for 3D printers.
The Solution
Team Eco-Prints Generation is determined to fight plastic pollution with the use of the groundbreaking Poliformer. This high-fidelity prototype effectively transforms single-use plastic bottles into premium-quality 3D printing filaments, which are then used to create STEM models for schools in Mombasa’s informal settlements. Beyond its environmental benefits in reducing marine plastic waste, this innovative technology empowers local communities by providing them with a sustainable income source.
The Enterprise
Furies Enterprise is a women-led green business that designs entertaining and educational games targeting environmental issues, notably marine plastic waste pollution.
The Solution
Furies Enterprise localises complex environmental concepts, integrates captivating gameplay mechanics, and aligns its products with school curricula to ensure maximum impact and engagement among its target audience of children aged 8-12.
The Enterprise
Oceania Pacesetter transforms marine plastic waste into stunning artwork and functional items, demonstrating that environmental sustainability can be beautifully achieved. By converting discarded plastics into decorative art pieces, they not only tackle pollution but also change perceptions about recycled materials.
The Solution
Oceania Pacesetter is focused on fighting plastic pollution by creating simple devices that intercept plastic waste. With peddlers and an anchored net, they collect debris directly from the ocean. The collected plastics are then repurposed to create art installations, DIYs, and other creative projects.
The Enterprise
Plas-Tech is at the forefront of sustainable innovation in Mombasa, mitigating environmental pollution by converting plastic waste into clean cooking gas.
The Solution
Plas-Tech developed a technology that generates a gas extracted from the burning of plastic waste to produce a clean and affordable energy solution for households and commercial clients. This innovative solution not only helps alleviate plastic pollution but also actively engages youth from informal settlements in Mombasa in the collection and processing of plastic waste.
The Enterprise
Plastic Taka Creatives is a socially responsible and environmentally conscious enterprise bringing creative plastic solutions through incentivized buyback systems and eco-friendly recycled plastic yarns and baskets.
The Solution
The enterprise works closely with waste collectors, households, and businesses to recycle their plastics conveniently. The baskets produced are fashionable, strong, and multi-purpose, suitable for daily usage and special occasions alike.
The Enterprise
Rafiki Peps is dedicated to advancing zero-waste initiatives across Mombasa by providing comprehensive waste collection services, including plastics, organics, and non-recyclables. Specializing in waste segregation at the source, they empower communities through extensive door-to-door awareness campaigns.
The Solution
Rafiki Peps is on a mission to motivate communities in the Likoni Sub-county area and throughout Mombasa County to decrease the amount of plastic waste flowing into local bodies of water. As part of the initial phase of the Mombasa Plastics Prize, they introduced the ‘Plastiki ni Gold’ initiative. This involved gathering waste from households in informal settlements in Mombasa and conducting door-to-door awareness campaigns and community cleanup activities. The enterprise supplies residents with color-coded bin liners to facilitate efficient waste sorting and collection, conducted twice a week, with recyclables directed to proper facilities.
The Enterprise
Twende Green Ecocycle is a social enterprise that uses advanced recycling technology to transform discarded plastic waste into durable, high-quality furniture.
The Solution
The flagship product is a high-quality eco-desk, designed to meet the needs of both students and teachers thanks to a range of customization options. The team has sold 10 desks to date, contributing to diverting 1,186 kg of plastic waste from the ocean. Currently, they are in partnership discussions with the Mombasa County Government and have attracted interest from 15 schools.
Looking ahead, the Mombasa County Government, in collaboration with a group of Kenya-based innovation experts, is looking to build on the momentum of the program and inspire a new generation of young entrepreneurs.
We are thankful to all of the partners on both the prize and the incubator who made this program possible:
