Submitted
2024 Global Economic Prosperity Challenge

Manufacturing of stringed musical instruments

Team Leader
Isaac Akinbobola
Solution Overview & Team Lead Details
Our Organization
ZATIL SYSTEMS
What is the name of your solution?
Manufacturing of stringed musical instruments
Provide a one-line summary of your solution.
Zatil Systems fosters economic prosperity and peace through music.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Akure, Nigeria
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
  • Nigeria
What type of organization is your solution team?
  • For-profit, including B-Corp or similar models
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?

Zatil Systems addresses the challenge of limited access to quality musical education and unsustainable production practices within the music industry. In many communities, especially in developing regions, there is a lack of resources and infrastructure for music education, depriving individuals of the benefits of music learning and expression. Additionally, the traditional production of musical instruments often involves resource-intensive processes and generates significant waste, contributing to environmental degradation.


The scale of the problem is substantial, affecting millions of individuals globally. According to UNESCO, an estimated 57 million children worldwide are not attending primary school, and many of these children lack access to comprehensive arts education, including music. Furthermore, the music industry's environmental impact is significant, with manufacturing processes contributing to deforestation, pollution, and carbon emissions. For example, the production of traditional wooden instruments contributes to deforestation, threatening biodiversity and exacerbating climate change.


Zatil Systems' solution directly addresses these challenges by providing sustainable musical instruments and educational resources to underserved communities. Our customizable instruments are designed using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes, minimizing environmental impact while ensuring high-quality performance. By offering instruments tailored to individual preferences, we empower learners to explore their musical talents and express themselves creatively.


Furthermore, our integration of technology, such as QR codes engraved on instruments, facilitates access to educational resources on climate change and sustainability. This approach enhances the educational value of our products, raising awareness and fostering environmental stewardship among musicians and music enthusiasts.


The factors contributing to the problem align closely with our solution. For instance, the lack of access to quality musical education is compounded by limited resources and infrastructure in many communities. Zatil Systems' customizable instruments and educational resources address this gap by providing accessible and sustainable alternatives. Additionally, the environmental impact of traditional instrument production underscores the need for more eco-friendly solutions, which our products and practices exemplify.


At the local level, our solution has the potential to benefit communities by providing opportunities for music education and creative expression. By equipping schools, music academies, and community centers with sustainable instruments and educational resources, we can empower individuals to pursue their passion for music while promoting environmental awareness and responsibility.


Globally, our approach contributes to broader efforts to address climate change and promote sustainable development. By promoting responsible production practices and raising awareness of environmental issues, Zatil Systems aligns with international initiatives such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Our solution not only addresses the immediate challenges of limited access to music education and unsustainable production practices but also contributes to long-term efforts to build peaceful and prosperous economies through the power of music and sustainability.

What is your solution?

Our solution is Zatil Systems' sustainable musical instruments and educational resources. We produce customizable musical instruments using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes. These instruments are designed to meet individual preferences and performance needs while minimizing environmental impact. Our instruments include guitars, violins, ukuleles, and other stringed instruments.


Our sustainable instruments are made from responsibly sourced wood, recycled materials, and innovative alternatives to traditional materials. We utilize advanced technology, such as digital design software and 3D modeling, to create customizable designs that meet the unique preferences of our customers. This allows musicians to personalize their instruments with features like custom finishes, inlays, and electronics.


In addition to sustainable production practices, our instruments feature QR codes engraved on them. These QR codes link to educational resources on climate change, sustainability, and music education. By integrating technology into our instruments, we enhance the educational value of our products and empower musicians to learn about environmental issues while playing music.


Our solution also includes educational initiatives aimed at promoting environmental awareness and stewardship among musicians and music enthusiasts. We collaborate with schools, music academies, and community organizations to provide workshops, seminars, and educational materials on sustainability and music education. Through these initiatives, we aim to inspire individuals to take action towards a more sustainable future while enjoying the benefits of music education and expression.


Overall, our solution addresses the dual challenges of limited access to quality music education and unsustainable production practices within the music industry. By providing sustainable instruments and educational resources, we empower individuals to pursue their passion for music while promoting environmental responsibility and awareness. Through the integration of technology and innovative manufacturing processes, we aim to revolutionize the music industry and contribute to a more sustainable and harmonious world.



Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?

Our solution serves a diverse range of individuals, including students, musicians, educators, and music enthusiasts, who seek access to sustainable musical instruments and educational resources. Currently, many of these individuals are underserved due to limited access to quality musical education and environmentally friendly instruments.


Students: Our solution caters to students in schools, colleges, and music academies who lack access to comprehensive music education programs. Many schools, especially in underserved communities, face resource constraints that hinder their ability to provide adequate musical instruments and instruction. By offering customizable instruments and educational resources, we empower students to explore their musical talents and express themselves creatively.


Musicians: Professional and amateur musicians alike benefit from our sustainable instruments, which offer high-quality performance while minimizing environmental impact. Traditional instrument production often involves resource-intensive processes and generates significant waste, contributing to environmental degradation. Our eco-friendly instruments provide musicians with a sustainable alternative that aligns with their values and enhances their musical experience.


Educators: Music teachers and instructors play a vital role in shaping the next generation of musicians. However, many educators lack access to innovative tools and resources to enhance their teaching methods. Our solution provides educators with customizable instruments and educational materials that support their instructional goals and promote environmental awareness among students.


Music Enthusiasts: Individuals who have a passion for music but may not pursue it professionally also benefit from our solution. By offering customizable instruments and educational resources, we cater to the diverse interests and preferences of music enthusiasts, allowing them to engage more deeply with their musical hobbies and interests.


Overall, our solution directly impacts the lives of individuals by providing access to sustainable musical instruments and educational resources. By addressing the current gaps in access to quality musical education and environmentally friendly instruments, we empower students to pursue their musical passions, support musicians in their professional endeavors, equip educators with innovative teaching tools, and engage music enthusiasts in meaningful ways.


Additionally, our solution fosters environmental awareness and stewardship among musicians and music enthusiasts by promoting responsible production practices and raising awareness of climate change and sustainability issues. Through the integration of technology, such as QR codes linking to educational resources, we enhance the educational value of our products and inspire individuals to take action towards a more sustainable future.


How are you and your team well-positioned to deliver this solution?

Our team at Zatil Systems is uniquely positioned to deliver our solution of sustainable musical instruments and educational resources to the target population. As a team, we have a deep understanding of the challenges facing underserved communities in accessing quality music education and environmentally friendly instruments. Our proximity to these communities, both geographically and culturally, allows us to design and implement solutions that are meaningful and impactful.


Our Team Lead, who grew up in a rural community with limited access to music education, understands firsthand the importance of providing opportunities for creative expression and skill development through music. Their personal experiences inform our approach to designing instruments and educational programs that meet the needs of diverse populations.


Furthermore, our team is representative of the communities we serve in terms of diversity, expertise, and lived experiences. We have members with backgrounds in music education, environmental science, engineering, and community development, allowing us to bring a multidisciplinary perspective to our work. This diversity enables us to consider a wide range of perspectives and ensure that our solutions are inclusive and equitable.


The design and implementation of our solution are meaningfully guided by input from the communities we serve. We actively engage with local schools, music academies, and community organizations to understand their needs, preferences, and challenges. Through focus groups, surveys, and collaborative workshops, we gather feedback and ideas from community members to inform the development of our products and programs.


For example, when designing our customizable instruments, we consulted with musicians and educators to understand their preferences for features such as instrument size, shape, and tone. Additionally, we collaborated with environmental experts and community leaders to develop educational materials that are culturally relevant and address local environmental issues.


Our team's commitment to community engagement and participatory design ensures that our solutions are responsive to the needs and aspirations of the communities we serve. By centering the voices and experiences of community members in our work, we strive to create meaningful and sustainable impact in the lives of individuals and communities through music education and environmental stewardship.


Which dimension of the Challenge does your solution most closely address?
  • Generate new economic opportunities and buffer against economic shocks for workers, including good job creation, workforce development, and inclusive and attainable asset ownership.
Which of the UN Sustainable Development Goals does your solution address?
  • 4. Quality Education
  • 12. Responsible Consumption and Production
  • 16. Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
What is your solution’s stage of development?
  • Growth
Please share details about why you selected the stage above.

Our solution is currently at the growth stage of development. We have successfully built and tested our sustainable musical instruments and educational resources, and we have served a significant number of customers and beneficiaries.


Specifically, we have developed a range of customizable musical instruments, including guitars, violins, ukuleles, and other stringed instruments, using eco-friendly materials and manufacturing processes. These instruments have been tested for quality, performance, and sustainability, and we have received positive feedback from customers and users.


In addition to our instruments, we have also created educational resources, such as workshops, seminars, and online materials, on climate change, sustainability, and music education. These resources have been delivered to schools, music academies, and community organizations, reaching a wide audience of students, educators, and music enthusiasts.


Overall, we have served hundreds of customers and beneficiaries with our sustainable musical instruments and educational resources. Our growth stage is characterized by scaling our operations, expanding our reach to new markets and communities, and continuously improving our products and services based on customer feedback and market demand


Why are you applying to Solve?

At Zatil Systems, we face several barriers that we hope Solve can help us overcome to further advance our solution:


Financial Barriers: As a social enterprise, securing funding is crucial for scaling our operations, expanding our reach, and developing new products and services. Solve can connect us with partners who can provide financial support, investment opportunities, and access to grants or funding programs tailored to our mission of sustainability and music education.


Technical Barriers: Developing and implementing sustainable manufacturing processes and integrating technology into our instruments require technical expertise and resources. Solve can connect us with partners who specialize in sustainable manufacturing, materials engineering, and digital innovation to help us overcome technical challenges and optimize our production processes.


Legal Barriers: Navigating regulatory requirements, intellectual property rights, and licensing agreements can be complex, especially when operating in multiple markets. Solve can provide legal guidance and support through partnerships with legal firms and experts experienced in social enterprise and sustainable business practices.


Cultural Barriers: Addressing cultural perceptions and attitudes towards sustainability and music education may present challenges in certain communities. Solve can facilitate partnerships with cultural organizations, influencers, and community leaders to promote awareness, acceptance, and adoption of our solutions within diverse cultural contexts.


Market Barriers: Penetrating new markets and reaching underserved communities require strategic market insights, partnerships, and distribution channels. Solve can help us access market research, identify strategic partnerships, and leverage networks to overcome market barriers and expand our impact globally.


By participating in Solve, we seek to connect with partners who share our vision and values and are committed to supporting innovative solutions that address social and environmental challenges. Through collaboration and partnership, we believe we can overcome financial, technical, legal, cultural, and market barriers to advance our mission of promoting sustainability and music education for all.

In which of the following areas do you most need partners or support?
  • Financial (e.g. accounting practices, pitching to investors)
  • Product / Service Distribution (e.g. delivery, logistics, expanding client base)
  • Public Relations (e.g. branding/marketing strategy, social and global media)
Who is the Team Lead for your solution?
Isaac Akinbobola.... Managing Partner.
More About Your Solution
Your Team
Your Business Model & Funding
Solution Team:
Isaac Akinbobola
Isaac Akinbobola