Inspired by the desire to use energy more efficiently and to help save the environment, Rose Twine, pictured, conceived the "eco stove" with her brother in 2009. The Kampala-based startup hopes to offer a more eco-friendly cooking solution to homeowners, who frequently suffer from respiratory issues as a result of using wood and charcoal for cooking indoors.
Volcanic rocks + sunlight = oven! —
Inspired by the desire to use energy more efficiently and to help save the environment, Rose Twine, pictured, conceived the "eco stove" with her brother in 2009. The Kampala-based startup hopes to offer a more eco-friendly cooking solution to homeowners, who frequently suffer from respiratory issues as a result of using wood and charcoal for cooking indoors.
<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/12/04/world/africa/repurpose-schoolbags-south-africa-rethaka/index.html" target="_blank">Repurpose schoolbags</a> is a green initiative from budding entrepreneurs and best friends Thato Kgatlhanye and Rea Ngwane. Their 100% recycled plastic backpacks double as a nightlight for schoolkids. It features a solar panel that charges during the walk to school and also has reflective material making the children more recognizable against oncoming traffic.
A life-saving backpack? —
Repurpose schoolbags is a green initiative from budding entrepreneurs and best friends Thato Kgatlhanye and Rea Ngwane. Their 100% recycled plastic backpacks double as a nightlight for schoolkids. It features a solar panel that charges during the walk to school and also has reflective material making the children more recognizable against oncoming traffic.
Courtesy Miora Rajaonary for Emerging Innovation
<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/20/africa/booomers-bamboo-bicycles-ghana/index.html" target="_blank">Bamboo bicycles</a> are becoming all the rage in Ghana and Boomers International is joining the action with their social enterprise initiative to create bespoke bikes whilst reducing youth unemployment.
On your bike! —
Bamboo bicycles are becoming all the rage in Ghana and Boomers International is joining the action with their social enterprise initiative to create bespoke bikes whilst reducing youth unemployment.
Booomers International
In 2009, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2015/01/02/world/africa/mitimeth-achenyo-idachaba-nigeria/index.html" target="_blank">Achenyo Idachaba</a> returned to Nigeria and saw an abundance of water hyacinths, invasive aquatic nuisance. Where most saw an unwelcome weed, she saw an environmental business opportunity. Her company MitiMeth harvests the plants and weaves them into beautiful artisan products.
From weeds to woven wonders —
In 2009, Achenyo Idachaba returned to Nigeria and saw an abundance of water hyacinths, invasive aquatic nuisance. Where most saw an unwelcome weed, she saw an environmental business opportunity. Her company MitiMeth harvests the plants and weaves them into beautiful artisan products.
<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/21/business/at-16-she-was-failed-gardener/index.html" target="_blank">Gardening Reel</a> is a gardening startup founded in Johannesburg by Claire Reid. Her company creates greenfingered solutions for simplifying growing food.
Getting your hands dirty for good —
Gardening Reel is a gardening startup founded in Johannesburg by Claire Reid. Her company creates greenfingered solutions for simplifying growing food.
CNN
Instead of invading Kenya's white sandy beaches with tonnes of plastic waste washed up on shore, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/05/world/africa/where-do-flip-flops-break-ocean-sole/index.html" target="_blank">Nairobi-based Ocean Sole</a> is a recycling company turning broken flip-flops into whimsical art sculptures. The company sells its fantastical creations to zoos, stores and aquariums across the globe.
From waste to rubber masterpieces —
Instead of invading Kenya's white sandy beaches with tonnes of plastic waste washed up on shore, Nairobi-based Ocean Sole is a recycling company turning broken flip-flops into whimsical art sculptures. The company sells its fantastical creations to zoos, stores and aquariums across the globe.
www.ocean-sole.com
As Uganda tries to tackle a surplus of plastic bags in a bid to reduce its acute waste management problem, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2014/01/23/business/paper-bag-empire-andrew-mupuya/index.html" target="_blank">entrepreneur Andrew Mupuya</a> founded the country's first paper bag company, Youth Entrepreneurial Link Investments (YELI).
The paper bag king —
As Uganda tries to tackle a surplus of plastic bags in a bid to reduce its acute waste management problem, entrepreneur Andrew Mupuya founded the country's first paper bag company, Youth Entrepreneurial Link Investments (YELI).
Jessica Ellis / CNN
<a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2013/10/08/world/africa/how-free-water-africa-givemetap/" target="_blank">Edwin Broni-Mensah</a> wanted a six pack and embarked on an intensive fitness regime to achieve his dream. While trying to get fit and stay hydrated, he found he was being encouraged to buy plastic bottles of water. Seeing an opportunity, he set up GiveMeTap -- a sustainable water scheme where people purchase reusable water bottles and refill them using a UK-based network of cafes and restaurants. Profits from the sale of GiveMeTap water bottles help build water projects Ghana, where his parents are from.
Hydrate yourself and Africa at the same time —
Edwin Broni-Mensah wanted a six pack and embarked on an intensive fitness regime to achieve his dream. While trying to get fit and stay hydrated, he found he was being encouraged to buy plastic bottles of water. Seeing an opportunity, he set up GiveMeTap -- a sustainable water scheme where people purchase reusable water bottles and refill them using a UK-based network of cafes and restaurants. Profits from the sale of GiveMeTap water bottles help build water projects Ghana, where his parents are from.
Courtesy Amadu Salam Mwini-Balonno & Hikaru Okamot/GiveMeTap