Ebusaka

Ebusaka is working to solve the problem of poor waste management in Zambia, particularly in urban areas, which is a significant challenge contributing to environmental degradation, health hazards, and economic losses. According to the World Bank, only 45% of waste in Zambia is collected, and most of it ends up in open dumpsites, which pollutes water sources and poses health risks to communities.

The problem affects a significant proportion of the Zambian population, particularly women and children in underprivileged communities. For instance, poor waste management practices have been linked to the outbreak of cholera in Zambia, which has affected thousands of people, resulting in deaths and increased healthcare costs. The latest data from the Ministry of Health shows that between 2017 and 2021, Zambia recorded 22,821 cases of cholera, with 526 deaths.

Moreover, the economic losses resulting from poor waste management are significant. The World Bank estimates that the economic cost of solid waste management in Zambia is USD 50-100 million per year, equivalent to 1-2% of GDP. The high cost is associated with the health risks and environmental damage caused by inadequate waste management systems.

Ebusaka's solution aims to address the problem of poor waste management by providing a digital platform that connects households, service providers, and municipal councils to improve waste collection, recycling, and management. The platform's features, such as real-time tracking of waste volumes and collection times, data analytics, and educational content on recycling, help improve the efficiency of waste collection and management, promote recycling, and reduce the environmental and health risks associated with poor waste management practices.

The Ebusaka platform is currently deployed in Zambia, where the problem of poor waste management is significant, affecting over 17 million people living in urban areas. The platform's scalability and customizability make it suitable for deployment in other regions facing similar waste management challenges, which can benefit millions more. By providing a practical and sustainable solution, Ebusaka aims to alleviate the environmental, health, and economic burdens associated with poor waste management practices in Zambia and beyond.

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.

At the core of Ebusaka's solution is the Ebusaka mobile application, which households can use 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.

In summary, Ebusaka is 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. To see a product demo of Ebusaka, watch our product demo video 

please visit our website www.ebusaka.com

Ebusaka serves a diverse range of stakeholders, including households, waste service providers, and municipal councils. By providing an innovative and sustainable waste management solution, Ebusaka aims to improve the lives of people in Zambia and beyond.

The primary beneficiaries of Ebusaka are households in underprivileged communities who suffer the most from poor waste management practices. These communities often lack basic infrastructure for waste collection and disposal, which leads to the accumulation of waste in the streets and waterways, resulting in water pollution and other health hazards. Women and children are disproportionately affected by these challenges, with women often spending long hours collecting and disposing of waste, while children are exposed to unsanitary conditions that can cause illnesses.

To understand the needs of these communities, Ebusaka has conducted extensive research, including surveys and focus group discussions. These engagements helped to identify the challenges that households face, including lack of access to waste collection services, insufficient awareness of recycling, and inadequate disposal facilities.

Ebusaka addresses these needs by providing a simple and user-friendly platform that connects households to waste service providers and municipal councils. By using the Ebusaka mobile app, households can schedule waste collection, track their recycling efforts, and earn rewards for their recycling efforts. The app also provides educational content on recycling and waste reduction, helping to improve awareness and promote sustainable behavior.

Service providers, on the other hand, benefit from the Ebusaka web application, which enables them to manage their fleet, track collection routes, and monitor their performance. This data-driven approach helps service providers to optimize their routes, reduce operational costs, and improve service delivery.

Municipal councils also benefit from Ebusaka's platform by providing real-time data on waste generation, collection, and disposal. This data helps municipal councils to identify areas that need improvement and allocate resources accordingly, improving waste management at a systemic level.

Overall, Ebusaka's solution has a significant impact on the lives of the target population by improving the environment, reducing health hazards, and promoting sustainable behavior. Women and children in underprivileged communities will benefit from cleaner environments, reduced exposure to health hazards, and improved waste management services. Service providers will benefit from increased efficiency and reduced costs, while municipal councils will benefit from data-driven decision-making and improved waste management.

Our team at Ebusaka is well-positioned to deliver this solution because we are deeply invested in the communities we serve. As individuals who have grown up and live in these communities, we have personally experienced the challenges that come with inadequate waste management systems. This has motivated us to come together and work on a solution that will help tackle this problem.

Our Team Lead, Muyunda Kaonga, has been recognized as an award-winning innovator and has over seven years of experience in project management, business development, and entrepreneurship. However, our qualifications and accolades are not what make us uniquely qualified to address this issue. It's our proximity to and understanding of the communities we serve that sets us apart. We know the challenges that these communities face and we are committed to designing a solution that meets their specific needs.

To ensure that we are meeting the needs of the communities we serve, we have been actively engaging with them throughout the design and development process. We have conducted surveys and held focus group discussions to understand their concerns and priorities. We have also sought out their input and ideas as we develop and refine our solution. This way, we are confident that our solution will be meaningful and effective for the communities we serve.

As a team, we have diverse backgrounds and expertise that complement each other. Radhia Mtonga, our COO, has experience in social entrepreneurship, environmental sustainability, and the circular economy, which aligns well with the goals of our solution. Michael Chuba, our CTO, brings technical expertise in software development, system architecture, and technology strategy, which will be crucial in the development and implementation of our solution. Mwendalubi Kambombi, our Project Manager, has a strong background in environmental engineering and sustainability, which will be valuable in ensuring that our solution is safe and environmentally friendly.

Overall, we are confident that our team is well-equipped to design and deliver a solution that meets the needs of the communities we serve. We will continue to engage with the communities throughout the implementation phase to ensure that our solution is meaningfully guided by their input, ideas, and agendas.

We are currently at the pilot stage of our Ebusaka digital waste management platform, and while we have made significant progress, we still face various barriers that are limiting our ability to scale our solution to its full potential. These barriers include financial, technical, legal, cultural, and market-related challenges that we hope the Horizon Prize on MIT Solve can help us overcome.

Financially, as a startup, we face limitations in accessing the necessary funding to fully develop and scale our platform. The Horizon Prize can provide us with the financial resources we need to expand our team, invest in technology, and increase our reach across more communities in Zambia.

Technically, we face limitations in terms of access to the latest waste management technologies, which are crucial for the efficient functioning of our platform. The prize can provide us with the necessary technical support and resources to overcome these challenges and enhance our platform's capabilities.

Legally, we face challenges in navigating the complex regulatory environment in Zambia. The prize can provide us with legal support and guidance to help us comply with regulations and operate effectively within the legal framework.

Culturally, we face challenges in promoting waste management as a priority issue and changing mindsets around waste disposal. The prize can provide us with opportunities to engage and educate more communities about the importance of proper waste management and encourage more individuals to embrace a circular economy.

Market-wise, we face challenges in penetrating the waste management industry, which is highly competitive and often dominated by established players. The prize can provide us with access to networks and partnerships, enabling us to collaborate with industry players and promote innovation and growth in the sector.

If selected, the Horizon Prize can provide us with the necessary support, resources, and exposure to overcome these barriers and accelerate the growth of our platform. It can also provide us with the opportunity to collaborate with other innovators in the sector and learn from their experiences, ultimately helping us to achieve our goal of promoting a circular economy and creating a cleaner, more sustainable future for Zambia.

As the team lead for Ebusaka, I am deeply connected to the communities in which our project is based. In fact, I live in one of these communities myself and have first-hand experience of the challenges that people face with regards to waste management. Growing up, I suffered from cholera due to the poor waste management practices in my community, and this experience has motivated me to find a solution to this problem.

Through my personal connections and interactions with community members, I have been able to gain a deep understanding of their needs and challenges. This has helped me to shape the development of Ebusaka in a way that is responsive to the specific needs of these communities.

Moreover, our team is comprised of individuals who are passionate about creating positive change in our communities. We have been actively engaging with local leaders, waste management service providers, and community members to build partnerships and gather feedback on our project. We believe that strong community partnerships are essential to the success of our project, and we are committed to building and maintaining these partnerships as we move forward

Our solution, Ebusaka, is innovative and sustainable in several ways. Firstly, we are promoting a circular economy by incentivizing users to recycle their waste by trading it for cash. This approach is significantly different from the traditional waste management approach in Zambia, where waste is simply collected and dumped in landfills, resulting in environmental pollution and health hazards. By encouraging users to recycle, we are not only reducing waste but also creating economic opportunities for households and small businesses.

Ebusaka leverages technology to create a user-friendly platform that connects urban households and businesses to waste collectors and recyclers. This technology-based approach is the first of its kind in Zambia, and it is making the waste management process more efficient and effective. With the use of data intelligence, we can provide real-time information on waste collection and recycling, which is critical for local authorities to plan and improve waste management.

Our revenue model is another innovative aspect of Ebusaka. We generate revenue through various means, including commission on monthly garbage collection subscription paid through the platform, commission on premium on-demand pickups, advertisements, corporate sponsorship deals, and commission from recyclable materials sold. Additionally, we sell plastic credits to companies that produce plastic products, which is a unique way to reduce the plastic footprint in the country while generating revenue.

Ebusaka's innovative and sustainable approach has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts in the waste management industry in Zambia. Our circular economy model can serve as a template for other waste management companies in the country and the continent at large, encouraging more efficient waste management and the creation of economic opportunities. By promoting a circular economy, we are also helping to reduce environmental pollution and promote sustainable development.

Furthermore, Ebusaka's use of technology can change the market by improving the efficiency and effectiveness of waste management in the country. The platform is user-friendly and provides real-time information on waste collection and recycling, which can help local authorities plan and manage waste better. This approach can help reduce the amount of waste being dumped in landfills and promote recycling, resulting in a cleaner and healthier environment.

In conclusion, Ebusaka is an innovative and sustainable solution to the waste management challenges in Zambia. Our circular economy model, technology-based approach, and revenue model make us unique in the waste management industry. We believe that our solution has the potential to catalyze broader positive impacts, encourage more efficient waste management, and promote sustainable development in Zambia and beyond.

Our impact goals for the next year and the next five years are as follows:

Next Year:

1. Increase the number of households using our platform for garbage collection and recycling by 50%.
2. Establish partnerships with at least two plastic-producing companies to increase our plastic credit sales and promote the reduction of plastic waste.
3. Expand our service coverage to at least two more cities in Zambia.
4. Create educational campaigns to promote waste segregation and recycling, targeting at least 5 schools and 10 community organizations.

Next Five Years:

1. Increase our customer base to cover at least 60% of households in the cities where we operate.
2. Reduce plastic waste in the communities we serve by at least 30%, through increased plastic recycling and sales of plastic credits to plastic-producing companies.
3. Generate at least 100 jobs in the communities where we operate, in waste collection, recycling, and customer service.
4. Achieve a 50% reduction in the number of uncollected waste in the communities we serve, through increased access to waste collection services.
5. Promote the circular economy by ensuring that at least 80% of waste collected is recycled, upcycled, or reused in some form.

To achieve these impact goals, we will continue to leverage on technology to provide efficient, reliable, and affordable waste collection and recycling services. We will also strengthen our partnerships with plastic-producing companies and other stakeholders in the waste management sector to increase the impact of our plastic credit program. Additionally, we will invest in educational campaigns to promote waste segregation and recycling, and work with local schools and community organizations to raise awareness about the importance of waste management.

Moreover, we will continue to prioritize the creation of jobs in the communities where we operate, by providing training and employment opportunities for waste collectors, recyclers, and customer service agents. By achieving these impact goals, we believe we can create a positive and lasting impact on the environment and the lives of the people we serve.

We are using a variety of indicators to measure our progress toward our impact goals, which are aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Here are a few examples:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being Indicator: Reduction in the incidence of waterborne diseases such as cholera and dysentery in our target communities. We will track the number of reported cases of these diseases and aim to see a significant reduction over time.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth Indicators:

• Number of waste management jobs created through our platform, which we will track through employment data and surveys of workers.
• Increase in income for waste collectors and other workers in the waste management sector, which we will track through surveys of users and partners.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production Indicators:

• Amount of waste diverted from landfills and incineration through our platform, which we will track through data on waste collection and recycling rates.
• Number of users participating in our recycling programs, which we will track through user data and surveys.

SDG 13: Climate Action Indicator: Reduction in greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste disposal. We will track the amount of emissions avoided through our recycling and waste diversion programs, and aim to see a significant reduction over time.

In addition to these specific indicators, we will also track user engagement metrics such as the number of platform sign-ups, app downloads, and active users. We will also conduct surveys and focus groups with users to gather feedback on their experiences with our platform and services, and use this feedback to make improvements and refine our impact goals over time.

At Ebusaka, we believe that our solution can have a significant impact on the problem of waste management in Zambia. Our theory of change is based on the following assumptions:

Assumption 1: The lack of efficient waste management systems in Zambia leads to negative environmental, health, and economic consequences.

Assumption 2: There is a demand for affordable waste management services among households, businesses, and institutions in urban areas.

Assumption 3: By providing an affordable, convenient, and technology-driven waste management platform, we can increase the collection, recycling, and proper disposal of waste in urban areas, leading to environmental and health benefits, as well as economic opportunities.

To achieve these outcomes, our solution focuses on four key activities:

Activity 1: Developing a user-friendly platform that allows households, businesses, and institutions to subscribe to our waste collection services, request on-demand pickups, and exchange recyclable materials for cash or plastic credits.

Activity 2: Building partnerships with recycling facilities, plastic producers, and corporate sponsors to generate revenue and promote circular economy practices.

Activity 3: Educating and incentivizing users to adopt sustainable waste management behaviors, such as separating waste, reducing plastic consumption, and composting organic waste.

Activity 4: Monitoring and evaluating the impact of our solution on waste diversion rates, greenhouse gas emissions, public health, and economic opportunities for waste pickers and recyclers.

We expect our solution to have a positive impact on several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including:

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – by reducing the health risks associated with open dumping and burning of waste, and promoting proper disposal of hazardous waste.

SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation – by reducing water pollution caused by uncontrolled dumping and landfilling of waste.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – by creating employment opportunities for waste pickers and recyclers, and promoting circular economy practices.

SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – by improving waste management services in urban areas, reducing litter, and promoting sustainable waste management behaviors among citizens.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production – by promoting the reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste, and reducing the environmental footprint of plastic production.

We will measure our progress towards these goals by using several indicators, including the number of subscribers to our waste collection services, the volume and type of waste collected and recycled, the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, the number of plastic credits sold, and the feedback from our users and stakeholders.

Ebusaka's core technology is a digital platform that connects waste generators with waste collectors, and enables seamless transactions and communication between them. The platform is accessible through a website and mobile application, which are the primary channels for users to interact with the system.

The platform is built on a cloud-based infrastructure, using modern web technologies such as React, Node.js, and PostgreSQL. It also uses a range of third-party tools and services to support features such as secure payments, location-based services, and data analytics.

Ebusaka's technology is designed to be user-friendly and accessible to people with different levels of digital literacy. The platform's user interface is simple and intuitive, with clear instructions and prompts for users. The mobile application is designed to work even in areas with limited connectivity, using caching and offline storage to ensure that users can still access key features such as transaction history and notifications.

One of the key features of Ebusaka's technology is its ability to track and monitor waste generation, collection, and disposal in real-time. The platform uses data analytics and machine learning algorithms to identify patterns and trends in waste generation and collection, which can help waste management companies optimize their operations and improve their services.

Ebusaka's technology also supports the circular economy by enabling users to trade their waste for cash and promoting the recycling of materials. The platform facilitates the collection and sale of recyclable materials, providing an additional revenue stream for waste collectors and incentivizing them to separate and recycle waste. Additionally, the platform allows plastic producers to purchase plastic credits to offset their plastic footprint, which can help reduce plastic waste and promote sustainable production practices.

Overall, Ebusaka's core technology is a powerful tool for transforming waste management in Zambia and beyond, by connecting waste generators with waste collectors, promoting the circular economy, and providing real-time data and insights to support sustainable waste management practices.

4 Full time and 2 Part time

3 ladies and 3 gents

We have been working on our project for 1 year now

At Ebusaka, we are committed to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion both within our team and in the communities we serve. Our team is comprised of individuals from diverse backgrounds, including gender, ethnicity, and socio-economic status. We believe that this diversity strengthens our ability to identify and address the unique challenges faced by different communities in Zambia.

In order to further promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, we have set a goal to increase the representation of women and individuals from marginalized communities in our team. We are actively working to achieve this goal by partnering with local organizations and institutions to recruit talent from diverse backgrounds.

In addition to building a diverse team, we also strive to create an inclusive and equitable workplace culture. This includes providing equal opportunities for career growth and development, ensuring fair and transparent compensation practices, and promoting a culture of respect and open communication.

We also prioritize diversity, equity, and inclusion in our interactions with the communities we serve. We work closely with local leaders and organizations to ensure that our solutions are culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs and priorities of the community. We also prioritize engaging with underrepresented groups, such as women and youth, in our outreach and education efforts.

Overall, we believe that promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is essential to achieving our mission of promoting sustainable waste management practices in Zambia. By building a diverse and inclusive team and prioritizing equity and inclusion in our work, we are better equipped to understand and address the unique challenges faced by different communities and to promote sustainable solutions that work for everyone.

Our business model is centered around providing waste management solutions and promoting a circular economy. We generate revenue through various sources, including commission on monthly garbage collection subscription, premium on-demand pickups, advertisements, corporate sponsorship deals, and the sale of recyclable materials.

Our platform allows individuals and businesses to subscribe to regular garbage collection services, which we provide through partnerships with local waste management companies. We charge a 5% commission on monthly subscriptions paid through the platform. We also offer premium on-demand pickups for customers who require additional services, and charge a 10% commission on these transactions.

We generate additional revenue through advertisements on our platform. We also seek out corporate sponsorship deals, which help us expand our reach and provide additional resources for our operations.

In addition to waste management services, we sell recyclable materials and earn a 20% commission on these sales. We also generate revenue from plastic credit sales to reduce plastic footprint for plastic producer companies. This revenue stream is particularly important as it aligns with our goals of promoting a circular economy and reducing waste.

Overall, our business model focuses on providing efficient and sustainable waste management solutions while generating revenue through multiple channels. We believe that our approach not only addresses a critical need in the community but also creates a scalable and sustainable business model that can be replicated in other areas.

Our plan for becoming financially sustainable involves a multi-pronged approach. One of our main sources of revenue is through our commission-based model. We charge a 5% commission on monthly garbage collection subscriptions paid through our platform and a 10% commission on premium on-demand pickups. In addition to this, we also generate revenue from advertisements and corporate sponsorship deals.

Another key aspect of our financial sustainability plan is our focus on the circular economy. We plan to generate revenue by selling recyclable materials, taking a 20% commission on the sale. Additionally, we plan to generate revenue from plastic credit sales to reduce plastic footprint for plastic producer companies.

In the short term, we plan to seek out grants and donations to help cover our operating expenses while we build up our user base and revenue streams. However, in the long term, our goal is to become self-sustaining through our revenue-generating activities.

To achieve this, we plan to continue to innovate and improve our platform, making it more user-friendly and expanding our services to meet the needs of our target populations. We also plan to explore partnerships with government agencies and other organizations to provide waste management solutions at a larger scale.

Overall, our strategy is to continue to build a sustainable business model that not only supports our operations but also contributes to the well-being of the communities we serve. By focusing on the circular economy and leveraging technology to optimize waste management processes, we believe we can achieve financial sustainability while also creating positive social and environmental impact.

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.