Taka Taka Ni Mali

According to a United Nations Environment study report, 79 percent of all plastic waste ever produced accumulates in dumps or the natural environment. Unsustainable waste management disproportionately impacts low-income nations. Kenya is an example of this, where waste (especially plastic) accumulates uncontrollably.

Taka Taka Ni Mali (“Waste is Wealth”) is a woman-led enterprise which drives the creation of green jobs and promotes a circular economy through waste management. Its goal is to keep more waste out of landfills and to economically empower low-income workers in the waste sector.

They partner with county governments to create tech-enabled County Waste Management Entrepreneurship Hubs which enable effective linkages between collectors, waste generators, waste users, recyclers and markets.

Taka Taka Ni Mali values diversity in leadership, management and manufacturing. The majority of leadership positions are occupied by women. Through mentorship programmes, women in the business, technology and science sectors are encouraged to be part of growth and innovation.

TRANSFORM is supporting Taka Taka Ni Mali in accelerating the deployment of Hubs, which enable job opportunities for waste collectors. This will result in the increase in recycling of waste and raising awareness of the importance of waste management. The project organises waste pickers into community-based organisations, providing personal protective equipment and training, as well as promoting health and wellbeing.

TRANSFORM has also worked with the Taka Taka Ni Mali team to develop a mobile app to revolutionise waste management in Kenya, East Africa and beyond.