Nyungu Afrika

Globally millions of women and girls face challenges with access, affordability, and awareness of sanitary towels. For an average of 30 years from the onset of puberty, sanitary pads are a basic need for women. On average, one woman is estimated to use 10,000-12,000 pads in her lifetime. According to WorldBank an estimated 500 million women and girls lack access to menstrual products and adequate facilities for menstrual hygiene management (MHM). In Kenya alone, according to fsg.org, 65% of women and girls cannot afford sanitary pads. For instance, school-going girls are forced to trade their bodies for a little under 1 dollar to purchase sanitary pads leading to skyrocketing numbers of teenage pregnancies. Others are forced to miss school or work or use unhygienic items such as rags, or even dig holes during their periods posing serious health risks. The limited access to period products is often a result of financial constraints, coupled with other factors such as lack of access to menstrual hygiene management education. Additionally, it may be linked to a lack of access to education and facilities that support the hygienic management of periods. For those with access to most conventional period products are not fully aware of the negative impact these products have on their bodies and the environment. According to the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP) sanitary pads produce 15 Million tones of green house gases and 30 billion menstrual waste products which take 500- 800 years to decompose. For women and girls the toxic chemicals such as dioxins and bleach which are used in the manufacture of sanitary napkins have been shown to cause serious health conditions to some.

Our organization is recycling underutilized agricultural waste of
pineapple leaves and corn husk fibers produced after harvest, into biodegradable absorbent core for making sanitary pads. We take this absorbent core and combine it with other sustainable raw materials to craft an eco-friendly, non-toxic, and affordable sanitary napkin designed for women's comfort. By utilizing under-utilized agricultural waste as a low-cost or no-cost raw material and leveraging on economies of scale, we aim to substantially cut production costs, making our product affordable for thousands of women and girls. 

Producing eco-friendly sanitary napkins from pineapple leaves and corn husk holds significant environmental benefits. By utilising these under-utilised agricultural waste materials, we contribute to reducing the environmental impact of traditional sanitary products. Pineapple leaves and corn husk fibers waste which would have otherwise been left to rot or burn is being repurposed into a biodegradable raw material.

Simultaneously, we plan on licensing our technology to micro-entrepreneurs, self-help groups, community-based organizations, and NGOs to increase access and awareness of sanitary pads to women and girls at the bottom of the pyramid. We will also facilitate knowledge-sharing workshops to spread factual, reliable, and inclusive menstrual health education so that women and girls do not miss school or work preventing them from earning or opportunities for income-generating activities. 

In 2019, the hashtag #myalwaysexperience sparked a dialogue about the challenges faced by women in Kenya and Africa, highlighting chronic issues like irritation and itching associated with Always sanitary pads. Even worse was the notable quality disparities of the pads compared to those from the global north. Women encountering their experiences explained how they thought it was normal for pads to burn and they had to use petroleum jelly on their genitals to reduce the burn effect. Others even went as far as to think the cause of the itch was caused by STIs, while the issue was really with the quality of the pad. Tragically, in the same year, 14-year-old Jackline Chepngeno took her life after reportedly being shamed for starting her period in class. Jackline represents thousands of women who struggle to afford and access menstrual products.

Therefore, by combining expertise in material science research and innovation, Nyungu Afrika aims to produce eco-friendly sanitary towels that not only are safe for the African woman but also leverage on utilizing local raw materials to produce affordable products.

In addition to this, we are aiming to create a solution that will allow accessibility of period products to underserved women. In our work with NGOs and Community Based organizations, we have noted a gap in women and girls consistently accessing sanitary pads especially when donations run out.  As such when we scale, we shall decentralize the pad manufacturing business by licensing our technology to micro-entrepreneurs, self-help groups, community-based organizations, and NGOs to increase access and awareness of sanitary pads to women and girls at the bottom of the pyramid. We will also facilitate knowledge-sharing workshops to spread factual, reliable, and inclusive menstrual health education so that women and girls do not miss school or work preventing them from earning or opportunities for income-generating activities.

As a women-led company, and as menstruating women, we intimately understand the challenges women face in finding suitable period products. Our product was first inspired by the challenges we ourselves face during menstruation. As Kenyan women, we have encountered issues with accessing comfortable period products among the mainstream options and found eco-friendly alternatives from international brands which, although are more comfortable, are too costly that we could not afford them. We then went ahead to interview women within our community to gain insights into their experiences with sanitary pads. One woman mentioned that she had to switch from commercial disposable towels to reusable towels because she used to feel uncomfortably hot, while another expressed how she used to experience itching and post-period rashes. Unfortunately, due to a lack of alternatives, she reluctantly continues using the same products despite the discomfort. These experiences resonate with the challenges faced by many women using mainstream disposable sanitary towels. In addition to this, our visits to schools such as those located in Thika and Mara area, along with pad drives in marginalized areas such as Samburu, have highlighted the challenges women and girls face in accessing menstrual products. 

It is out of own experiences and those of the women around us that our goal is to create a sanitary pad that prioritize comfort and safety for our women. By using eco-friendly raw materials we are crafting safe and sustainable sanitary products while also taking into account the physiology of an African woman and our tropical climate.

In 2022, utilizing our lab-scale manufacturing space in Thika and a production facility in Kisumu, we effectively developed prototypes that underwent testing in Kenya by the Kenya Bureau of Standards and in Germany by the Pelz Group. Furthermore, in 2023, we have continued to produce prototypes of our products in collaboration with Saral Designs, one of India's leading manufacturers of sanitary pad machines.

Additionally, we consistently manufacture our pulp, collaborating with material scientists in Kenya to enhance our product. We've also engaged various academic and research institutions, including NIRI, an innovation consultancy dedicated to advancing the field of non-wovens through innovation, research, and market intelligence with the goal of seeking collaborations to continuously improve our pulp.

1.Our solution is a locally made market-creating innovation that uses circular economy principles to transform underutilized agricultural waste of pineapple leaves and corn husk fibers into eco-friendly sanitary pads which would have otherwise been left to rot or burn which shows our forward-thinking approach to addressing environmental concerns and advancing sustainable practices.

2.The circular aspect of our solution is evident in the comprehensive use of recycled agricultural waste. After the transformation process, the residue serves as a valuable source for secondary byproducts essential in various industries. These include the conversion into biochar to enhance soil quality, briquettes for alternative fuel, biogas as a sustainable energy source, thus reducing over-reliance on fossil fuel; and lignin for applications in the beauty industry.

3. Additionally, our technology enables the manufacturing of pulp from agricultural waste, serving as a viable replacement for wood cellulose pulp obtained from trees. The use of our pulp as an absorbent core for sanitary pads not only offers a sustainable alternative but also contributes significantly to environmental conservation. By providing an alternative to wood pulp, we aim to save millions of trees that would otherwise be felled for production of pulp.

4. Further, the versatile nature of our pulp allows for diversification of its use, extending into industries such as packaging, thereby reducing the overall demand for tree resources and use of plastics for packaging.

5.Our business model creates value for all the people involved from farmers where we source the agricultural waste from, unemployed youth who collect raw materials in open air markets, schools, on job training for women as producers, distributors or entrepreneurs.

6.The products once launched will promote six UN SDGs because they put the health of women, girls and the environment at the forefront.

In the coming year, Nyungu Afrika is committed to expanding our reach and impact in addressing the menstrual health challenges faced by Kenyan women. Our short-term impact goals include producing and providing sustainable and affordable eco-friendly sanitary napkins to at least 5,000 women in Kenya both in urban, rural and underserved communities. Thus ensuring access to safe and comfortable sanitary napkins for women, and enabling their active participation in school and work. Additionally, we aim to conduct menstrual health education programs, reaching a minimum of 2,500 young girls to empower them with knowledge about menstrual and sexual reproductive health (SDGs 3, 4 & 5.)

In the next five years, our long term plan is to have extended our reach to over 500,000 women, creating a widespread positive impact on their lives and promoting sustainable menstrual hygiene practices. To achieve this, we plan to scale our manufacturing capacity, expand our distribution networks, and establish partnerships with international organisations to leverage resources and expertise. Simultaneously, we aim to license our technology and establish mini-factories in order to empower local entrepreneurs, self-help groups, and NGOs, ensuring sustainable access to eco-friendly sanitary products in even the most remote areas. Through these efforts, we aim not only to enhance women's well-being and foster gender equality but also to create numerous job opportunities, thereby elevating the livelihoods of many. Given our product is eco-friendly, we shall positively contribute to environmental sustainability by reducing carbon emissions and waste associated with traditional menstrual products. 

Our impact goals are deeply aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly: 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, and 12.

Our theory of change is rooted in the pressing problem of menstrual hygiene challenges faced by women and girls and our innovative solution to provide them with eco-friendly and affordable sanitary pads. It is supported by research from 

1.Organizations like fsg.org  , USAID ,UNEP ,UNFPA ,RHSC highlights the pressing issue of access to sanitary pads.

2.Feedback from target population interviews underscores the need for affordable and eco-friendly menstrual hygiene solutions.

3.The potential environmental benefits of recycling  agricultural waste into  are well-documented.

4. The push for circular economy ,sustainability  and market creating innovations is on the rise and is becoming a business requirement 

and the potential for significant positive outcomes for women and girls, both in terms of their well-being and environmental impact.

To support our theory of change will be supported by some of the activities, outputs, and outcomes listed below ;

Activities:

Recycling pineapple leaves and corn husk fibers into biodegradable absorbent cores.
Combining these cores with sustainable materials to craft affordable and eco-friendly sanitary pads.

Immediate Outputs:

Production of low-cost, non-toxic sanitary napkins.
Increased access to affordable sanitary products for women and girls.

Short-term Outcomes:

Reduced financial burden on women and girls for menstrual hygiene.
Decreased reliance on unhygienic alternatives and risky behaviors.

Medium-term Outcomes:

Enhanced menstrual health and hygiene awareness in the target population.
Improved school attendance, reduced teenage pregnancies, and better economic opportunities for women and girls.

Long-term Outcomes:

Empowerment of women and girls through better access to education and work.
Reduced environmental impact due to the use of biodegradable and eco-friendly materials.

Waste Diversion Rate; By using our solution we will divert  agricultural waste  that  is effectively diverted from traditional waste streams and repurposed for the production of our sanitary pads.

Circular Economy Contribution; By producing using underutilized agricultural we will work towards closing  the loop in our production process so that a significant proportion of our production residue are being recycled or upcycled.

By setting up local mini-factories in marginalized areas and schools ,recruiting and training women thereby creating employment, doing in-school manufacturing we shall provide employment and economic empowerment, fostering social and economic development.

Full time staff-Currently we are have two full full time staff

We also have a team of consultants working with us as below:

• Material Scientists -2
• Lawyer-4
• Accountants-2
• Casual Workers during production -10

NNyungu Afrika was established out of frustration, in 2019 through a viral hashtag #myalwaysexperience women were complaining of constant itching, rashes, and irritation during their periods.Sadly , in the same year a school going girl ,started her period in class was allegedly shamed for this went home and took her own life. I left employment in 2021 and Nyambura followed in 2022 to work in the company fulltime.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusivity is deeply ingrained in the core of our organization. We recognize that to effectively address the challenges faced by women and girls, it is essential to have a team that reflects the diversity of the population we aim to serve.

Leadership Diversity: Our leadership team is inherently diverse, with women at the helm of key roles. Mary Nyaruai, our founder and CEO, and Stella Nyambura, our Head of Operations, are young menstruating women actively leading and shaping the direction of our initiative. This diversity at the top positions of our organization reflects the core values of our mission. It ensures that the voices and perspectives of young women are integral to our strategy, decision-making, and program execution.

Advisor and Partner  Inclusivity: While we benefit from the valuable guidance of experienced advisors, we are committed to ensuring that our leadership team's diversity extends to our advisory network. We actively seek advisors and partners  from diverse backgrounds, including those who can provide insights into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by adolescent girls and young women. This ensures that our solutions are not only innovative but also inclusive, addressing the specific needs of the communities we serve.

Continuous Efforts for Improvement: We understand that diversity, equity, and inclusivity are not static achievements but ongoing endeavors. As part of the Techstars Paris Sustainability program, we piggyback on their established DEI policy and practices, integrating them into our operations. We are continually exploring opportunities to involve more adolescent girls and young women in our team, both as members and beneficiaries.

Fostering an Inclusive Environment: We are dedicated to creating a work environment and programs that promote inclusivity. This includes mentorship programs designed to empower and mentor more girls and women, both within our organization and among our beneficiaries. We aim to provide opportunities for young women to actively participate in shaping our solutions, ensuring they are not just recipients but co-creators.

Long-Term Commitment: Our organization views diversity, equity, and inclusivity as an enduring commitment, one that is integral to our mission's success. We believe that fostering a diverse and inclusive team and environment is not just a moral imperative but a strategic advantage that enhances the effectiveness and impact of our work.

Nyungu Afrika was founded to tackle the ongoing challenges experienced by Kenyan women with commercial sanitary napkins, which often lead to discomfort and irritation. Moreover, there exists a noticeable quality disparity between sanitary products in Africa and those distributed in Europe or the USA. Our business model focuses on manufacturing eco-friendly sanitary towels from agricultural waste of pineapple leaves and corn husk fibres to provide sustainable and affordable sanitary pads which are kind to women.

To reach a wide audience, we plan to distribute our products through e-commerce platforms, retail stores, and distribution networks. Additionally, we aim to establish B2B partnerships with healthcare facilities, schools, NGOs, and corporate wellness programs for bulk sales, long-term contracts, and customized offerings. Further, as we scale, we plan on decentralizing the pad manufacturing industry by licensing our technology to micro-entrepreneurs, self-help groups, and NGOs with an aim of expanding access of sanitary napkins to women and girls at the bottom of the pyramid.

Our eco-friendly sanitary napkins do not only improve the lives of women but also contribute to environmental well-being. Majority of disposable pads and tampons are laden with Low Density Polyethylene Plastic (LDPE) which according to The Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm have the largest impact on global warming in addition to taking 500-800 years to decompose. Our products address this critical issue by reducing up to 78% of CO2 emissions and averting 42 tonnes of menstrual waste.

Our organisation also takes pride in its commitment to sourcing raw materials locally. We collaborate with farmers to source for agricultural waste and in doing so, we contribute to livelihood generation within local communities.Through our pilot lab, we have successfully upscaled 1 tonne of agrowaste and this has created part-time employment opportunities for many women and young people who have been involved in sorting, collecting, processing, and manufacturing sanitary pads. 

We are also passionate about educating young girls on menstrual health and, to date, have conducted awareness campaigns in schools and homes reaching over 1000 students in collaboration with local partners and organizations, such as Del Monte. Through these initiatives, we strive to empower women and girls with knowledge about menstrual and sexual reproductive health.

Nyungu Afrika aims to generate revenue through the following strategies:

1. Selling our products through e-commerce platforms, retail outlets, and established distribution networks such as specialised distributors.

2.Establishing B2B collaborations with healthcare facilities, schools, NGOs, and corporate wellness programs for substantial sales volumes, extended contractual agreements, and tailor-made product offerings.

3. Licensing or franchising our innovative technology to partnering companies.

4. Engaging in collaborative R&D projects by forming partnerships with research institutions, universities, or other companies to explore novel applications, advancements, and sustainable solutions within the menstrual hygiene industry.

5. Selling our pulp designed for use in industries such as packaging or feminine hygiene industry.

6. Broadening our product range by innovating complementary accessories or related items, such as eco-friendly packaging solutions, reusable menstrual products, or hygiene-related accessories.

7. Securing funds through grant applications, participating in competition awards, and fundraising. For instance, currently, we have raised our first funding through a convertible debt from the Techstars Sustainability Accelerator.