Highlights from the Mombasa Plastics Prize Incubator: From Local Innovation to Global Recognition

The Mombasa Plastics Prize (MPP), implemented by Challenge Works and funded by USAID, aims to tackle marine plastic waste in Mombasa County’s informal settlements. 

The Mombasa Plastics Prize (MPP), which launched in September 2022, set out with a clear ambition: to create a space for the young adults of Mombasa to develop solutions to tackle marine plastic waste in their communities. 

The success of the program’s first phase – which saw 60 young entrepreneurs from Mombasa working in 14 teams compete to develop the most innovative ideas to tackle marine plastic – has catapulted the program into the global spotlight.

Recognizing the huge potential of these solutions, USAID went on to fund a second phase – the Mombasa Plastics Prize (MPP) Incubator – where the nine most promising businesses, including the three winning teams from the first phase, are being supported to become sustainable formalized businesses.

Over the course of the MPP Incubator, the innovators – and their solutions – have gone from strength to strength, and are continuing to attract a growing global audience along the way, including King Charles III and the US Ambassador to Kenya.

In the blog, we share a few highlights from the past few months…

Climate change showcase with King Charles III

Our three MPP winning teams met King Charles III during their royal visit to Kenya in November 2023.

His Majesty The King, who is known for his keen interest in addressing climate change concerns and championing sustainable solutions, met the MPP innovators on Nyali Beach, alongside other leading experts in the marine plastic waste ecosystem in Mombasa, including Baus Taka Enterprise, Flipflopi and UN Environment Programme (UNEP), in partnership with the Mombasa County Government.

Zainab Mahmoud, CEO and representative of Twende Green Ecocycle – the MPP winning team – outlined the challenges faced by schools nationwide due to the high prices of wooden school furniture. Their solution, which is now being introduced in schools in Mombasa’s informal settlements, leverages recycled plastic waste to manufacture affordable desks that are both environmentally conscious and uncompromising in quality. 

An inspiring encounter with The US Ambassador  

The MPP Incubator teams also had the opportunity to meet the US Ambassador to Kenya, Margaret Whitman. She engaged with the innovators in a fireside roundtable discussion held alongside other innovators in Mombasa.

Engaging with Kenya’s Second Lady and Belgium’s Ambassador to Kenya

The innovators met with H.E. Pastor Dr. Dorcas Rigathi, the Spouse of the Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya, alongside H.E. Peter Maddens, the Belgian Ambassador to Kenya. During this event organized by Close the Gap, the teams were able to showcase their groundbreaking innovations and foster invaluable connections with fellow entrepreneurs.

MPP finalists represent Mombasa County at the Africa Climate Summit

The innovators attended the Africa Climate Summit 2023 held in Nairobi. Themed “Driving Green Growth and Climate Finance Solutions for Africa and the World”, the Summit focused on green growth in Africa and finding financing solutions to support the programs to mitigate climate change’s effects. The three MPP-winning teams from the initial phase were invited to showcase their innovations alongside 70 other African innovators implementing projects tackling climate change.

Collectively, the young innovators participated in The Climate Action Innovation Hub, with the adoption of the African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy (2022-2023): Africa’s first-ever collective climate change action plan.

“It [the African Union Climate Action Innovation Hub session] made us realize the opportunities available in the plastic waste value chain, threats and challenges. The process starts with the people.” MPP Innovator

“Getting to exhibit, network and make meaningful connections really stood out through the three days. I attended various sessions for example on climate finance and youth involvement in climate change, which had amazing insights.” MPP Innovator

The power of a community to drive innovation

The MPP Incubator Business Matchmakers Forum served as an opportunity for more established businesses within the ecosystem to mentor innovators and share their insights. 

Hosted by the County Government of Mombasa, Deputy Governor, H. E. Francis Foleni Thoya heard pitches from each of the nine MPP Incubator teams and shared his thoughts on how to tackle Mombasa County’s plastic waste challenges.

The successful event saw the community of Mombasa come together, attracting over 80 participants from across the Mombasa County Government and the private sector. 

Looking ahead, we look forward to continuing to strengthen our partnership with the Mombasa County Government and the private sector and seizing the opportunities shared during the forum.

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For collaboration or to share activities and events benefiting our innovators, simply inbox us at [email protected]. 

Together, let’s make a lasting impact to reduce marine plastic waste.