What is the name of your organization?
Pareina Company Limited
What is the name of your solution?
Dunia Bora - A better world.
Provide a one-line summary or tagline for your solution.
Transforming cacti into sustainable food and plant-based leather to redesign food and fashion systems for a circular economy.
In what city, town, or region is your solution team headquartered?
Nanyuki, Kenya
In what country is your solution team headquartered?
KEN
What type of organization is your solution team?
Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit
Film your elevator pitch.
What specific problem are you solving?
Kenya faces a severe challenge: 80% of the country is classified as arid and semi-arid land (ASAL), affecting over 16 million Kenyans who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. These regions experience persistent droughts, low crop yields, and limited economic opportunities, leaving millions food insecure. Meanwhile, cacti, a resilient plant thriving in these conditions, have been historically dismissed as invasive and useless. Globally, the food and fashion industries drive 25% of greenhouse gas emissions and deplete resources, with leather production alone consuming 17,000 liters of water per square meter and generating significant pollution. Communities in ASAL regions are particularly vulnerable to these crises, lacking sustainable solutions that align with their unique environments.
What is your solution?
Dunia Bora transforms cacti, a drought-resistant crop, into sustainable food and fashion products that embody circular economy principles. Our food solutions include high-fiber cactus juice and jam, providing nutrient-rich, affordable options for communities in arid regions. In the fashion sector, we produce 100% plant-based leather, an eco-friendly alternative to animal leather, which significantly reduces water use and carbon emissions. Unlike traditional processes, our production is low-impact, utilizing natural dyes and innovative methods that conserve resources. Beyond product development, we empower communities through the Kenya Circular Economy Fellowship, which trains farmers, entrepreneurs, and students to adopt sustainable practices and innovate with cacti. Our solution addresses three critical challenges: food security, climate resilience, and the environmental toll of traditional industries. With cacti at the core, Dunia Bora unlocks the potential of one of the most resilient plants to redesign food and fashion systems for a sustainable future. Ellen MacArthur Foundation: https://youtu.be/x6O2AV-7Ofg?si=KrS7EhJEpPAs30C-
Daily Nation: https://nation.africa/kenya/health/turning-the-invasive-cactus-into-leather-4425946
Who does your solution serve, and in what ways will the solution impact their lives?
Our solution serves smallholder farmers, youth entrepreneurs, and underserved communities in arid and semi-arid regions of Kenya. These communities face challenges such as poverty, unemployment, and climate-induced crop failures, affecting over 16 million people nationwide. By introducing cactus farming and processing, we equip farmers with a resilient crop that requires 80% less water than conventional crops, ensuring year-round income opportunities and reducing vulnerability to drought. Entrepreneurs and students benefit from the Kenya Circular Economy Fellowship, gaining skills and resources to turn innovative ideas into viable businesses, promoting local job creation. Globally, our eco-conscious consumers enjoy sustainable, plant-based alternatives, driving reduced carbon emissions and water savings. To date, Dunia Bora has trained 50 individuals, created market-ready products in food and fashion, and improved livelihoods in climate-impacted areas. By redesigning supply chains and empowering communities, we foster a scalable model of resilience and sustainability, impacting lives locally and globally.
