It’s no secret that climate change is having a devastating effect on this beautiful planet of ours. As a result of growing awareness around the issue, businesses are feeling the pressure and therefore aiming to offer more environmentally-friendly products and reduce carbon emissions in the process. For example, Uber has raised over $800 million to help transition its drivers into fully electric vehicles by 2025. Other big businesses are doing similar work. Many startups are too.
In fact, when assessing the range of startups aiming to champion a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly business model from the start, it certainly provides hope for a greener and cleaner future. These types of innovative startups aren’t just limited to Europe, too, with African startups aiming to play a part in instigating worldwide change also. The variety of businesses in this space should certainly inspire. Certain countries are demonstrating a particular push towards change, such as Uganda’s campaign to keep plastic pollution out of its lakes and rivers. It’s no secret that businesses, especially some huge global names, could follow Uber’s lead and do more, though.
Until wider change comes, the startups aiming to usher in a more sustainable economy in Africa deserve to hog the limelight. Here is a look at some of them.
VeggieVictory
One of the key ways in which we can help the environment is by eating less meat. That’s exactly what VeggieVictory is aiming to promote, with the Nigerian plant-based food company offering plant-based meat and Nigerian culinary delicacies suitable for vegans. Established in 2013, the company’s plant-based offering is more recent as the brand aims to expand on its original vegetarian treats and do its bit for the planet in the process with a plant-based range of products also.
Havenhill Synergy Limited
With a focus on improving access to electricity in rural areas of Nigeria by using mini-grids and aiming to offer renewable energy services for businesses in Nigeria’s industrial and commercial hubs, Havenhill Synergy Limited is helping both the planet and the community. When some of us are playing blackjack online in SA or surfing Netflix for the latest movies, we perhaps take the entertainment options and the reliable electricity we have compared to most for granted. Thankfully, with Havenhill’s solar mini-grid solution able to connect up to 70,000 people with clean and reliable energy, more people in hard to reach areas are able to enjoy it also.
Freedom Won
Offering electric vehicle conversations to a range of car models, Freedom Won is offering a truly innovative service. The company was founded in 2011 and has also produced its very own energy storage system, which enhances lithium-ion batteries. The company’s storage battery systems are extremely popular also, especially with residents and businesses in South Africa.
Mellowcabs
Mellowcabs has been around for a while, but its popularity has surged in recent times. Offering electric mini-cabs which provide on-demand, affordable, and emissions-free transport in cities throughout the country, the company has won over thousands of commuters. Mellowcabs manufacturers its environmentally-friendly cabs also, with the company stating that its vehicles offer a more efficient and more affordable mode of transport than traditional taxis, which not only cost a fair bit but don’t help the environment either.
Green Scooter
Another business doing its bit for the planet, Green Scooter provides South Africans with a much-needed service while also making sure that it doesn’t harm the planet in the process. Its eco-friendly electric motor-tricycles and its three-wheeled electric scooters are being utilised by people on a daily basis, especially individuals who need an affordable electric vehicle.
