As Africa faces growing challenges around urban waste, housing shortages, climate change, and access to clean energy, several entrepreneurs have stepped up with bold, tech-enabled solutions. Through ventures rooted in sustainability, they are turning problems into profitable opportunities: recycling waste and scrap materials, promoting circular economy models, and creating systems tailored to the continent’s unique needs.
From converting plastic waste into building materials to digitising the scrap trade and incentivising household recycling, these ventures are building a more sustainable future from the ground up. Here’s a look at some of the African startups reshaping the waste, recycling, and clean energy sectors
Gjenge Makers
Year Founded: 2017
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Gjenge Makers is a sustainability-focused company at the intersection of recycling and construction, leading the way in sustainable building solutions in Kenya. The company is reshaping the construction industry by addressing both plastic waste and housing challenges with innovative, eco-friendly materials.
Founded by materials engineer Nzambi Matee, Gjenge Makers produces high-quality bricks and paving tiles from recycled plastic waste. The company designs and builds its own machinery, ensuring a streamlined process that transforms discarded plastics into durable, affordable alternatives for the construction industry.
Gjenge Makers stands out as a sustainable innovation leader through its environmentally conscious approach. The company not only reduces plastic pollution but also contributes to solving the housing deficit, proving that waste can indeed be a resource for development and resilience.
WeCyclers
Year Founded: 2012
Location: Lagos, Nigeria
WeCyclers is an innovative waste management and recycling company driving grassroots change in urban sanitation. By combining technology, sustainability, and community empowerment, the company is redefining how low-income neighbourhoods engage with recycling.
Founded by Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola, WeCyclers operates a unique rewards-for-recycling model that allows households to exchange recyclables for redeemable points. Using a fleet of custom bicycles, the company collects waste directly from homes, fostering participation through tangible incentives such as mobile airtime and food items.
Dedicated to promoting circular economy practices, WeCyclers partners with major brands to sustain its impact, reduce urban waste, and create job opportunities. The company is at the forefront of a movement to make recycling inclusive, efficient, and rewarding for underserved communities.
GIVO Africa
Year Founded: 2019
Location: Nigeria
GIVO Africa is a cutting-edge waste tech company revolutionising recycling and waste management across Nigeria through digitisation and automation. The company is bridging gaps in the recycling ecosystem by making waste management smarter, traceable, and more impactful.
The company deploys Iot-enabled centres equipped with smart shredders and Android devices. Its mobile platform connects waste collectors to recyclers and monitors each item from pickup to processing, ensuring data-driven recycling practices.
Leveraging innovative technology, GIVO enhances traceability and transparency in waste management while reducing logistics costs. The company’s scalable model aims to collect millions of recyclables in five years, all while creating entrepreneurial opportunities and supporting a cleaner, more circular economy.
Mr. Green Africa
Year Founded: 2014
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Mr. Green Africa is a tech-driven recycling company setting new standards in inclusive waste management across Kenya. The company is empowering informal waste collectors by integrating them into a fair-trade value chain, ensuring equitable access and better livelihoods.
With a focus on social impact and sustainability, Mr. Green Africa purchases plastic waste from local collectors, processes it, and supplies recycled materials to manufacturers. By formalising the informal sector, the company ensures fair pricing, transparency, and improved working conditions.
As the first African recycling company to be certified as a B Corporation, Mr. Green Africa continues to scale its impact regionally. The company’s model not only promotes environmental conservation but also demonstrates how inclusive business practices can drive systemic change in waste management.
Kubik
Year Founded: 2024
Location: Nairobi, Kenya
Kubik is an eco-conscious construction technology company redefining building material manufacturing in East Africa. By transforming plastic waste into affordable, low-carbon construction products, the company is tackling both environmental and housing challenges.
Kubik produces innovative building blocks that are 40% cheaper and significantly more sustainable than traditional alternatives. These materials are designed for easy assembly, making them ideal for fast-tracked infrastructure development, particularly in underserved communities.
With a strong commitment to empowerment, Kubik trains and supports waste collectors, especially women, helping them build income-generating skills. Recognised for its sustainable model and global impact, the company is making strides toward a cleaner environment and more accessible housing.
Regenize
Year Founded: 2016
Location: South Africa
Regenize is a social enterprise at the forefront of inclusive recycling in South Africa. The company is fostering a culture of environmental responsibility by making recycling convenient, rewarding, and community-focused.
Operating a zero-waste subscription service, Regenize provides households with recycling bins and schedules regular pickups. Through a reward-based model, users earn points for recyclables, promoting consistent participation and sustainable habits.
Regenize places a strong emphasis on environmental education and equity, particularly in underserved communities. By combining digital tools with grassroots engagement, the company is driving a recycling revolution that’s accessible to all.
Scrapays
Year Founded: 2019
Location: Nigeria
Scrapays is a fintech-powered recycling platform modernising Nigeria’s informal scrap trade. The company is transforming how scrap items are bought and sold by leveraging digital tools to ensure transparency, fair pricing, and traceable transactions.
Through its user-friendly platform, Scrapays connects sellers of recyclable waste with verified buyers. The app utilises data analytics to streamline processes, reduce fraud, and improve market efficiency in the scrap industry.
Beyond its tech innovation, Scrapays supports environmental sustainability by incentivising recycling and reducing waste. The company is building a trusted ecosystem that empowers users to turn scrap into economic value while contributing to a cleaner environment.
SLS Energy
Year Founded: 2021
Location: Rwanda
SLS Energy is a renewable energy and circular economy company driving access to sustainable power and energy waste management solutions in East Africa. Focused on battery technology and solar systems, the company is transforming energy access for rural and off-grid communities.
The company leverages the latent value of retired batteries to develop affordable battery storage systems. Using this approach, SLS Energy supports solar mini-grids and electric mobility projects. The company’s solutions are tailored to meet local energy needs while reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
With an emphasis on innovation and sustainability, SLS Energy is contributing to Africa’s clean energy transition. The company is empowering communities with reliable power sources, fostering economic growth, and promoting environmental conservation.
Africa’s future depends not just on economic growth, but on sustainable innovation that meets the needs of both people and the planet. These startups are proving that it’s possible to generate impact and income simultaneously—creating cleaner cities, empowering underserved communities, and driving circular economies.
