Tech

SA re-commerce startup, Faro to combat textile waste in Africa

Published

8 months ago

September 17, 2023

South African re-commerce startup, Faro has commenced the process of combating textile waste in Africa by launching operations to make quality fashion accessible in the continent.

With the new platform, the startup which partners with global fashion brands to source high-quality unsold clothing for resale in Africa, said it hoped to check the inflow of problematic textiles by giving customers a sustainable alternative.

Faro co-founder David Torr, who threw light on the new initiative, said the startup was embarking on a rapid store roll-out with the first outlet scheduled to open in Mitchell’s Plain on the South African Cape Flats in October.

“The roll-out could have incredible environmental implications. Our commitment to the circular economy goes beyond waste prevention; we’re dedicated to addressing the existing problem,” said Torr.

“This dedication has given rise to Faro Impact, a textile recycling initiative. For every kilo of high-quality sustainable clothing we sell, Faro Impact will recycle an equivalent kilo of textile waste.”

The CEO said with his team comprising Michelle Sibanda, Amber Penney and William McCarren, Faro had a wealth of experience in building and promoting ventures in Africa.

“We spent three years trying to reduce waste in the second-hand clothing market, but people wouldn’t change their ways. To fix the problem, I knew we had to build a new supply chain,” he said.

“Faro has partnered with the Bestseller group, whose fashion brands include Jack & Jones, LMTD, Only, Vero Moda, Vila and Noisy May, to bring its unsold brand-new stock directly to the South African market, where it will be sold at up to 70 per cent off retail prices,” he added.

Related Topics:Africa Faro Featured Textile Waste

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Tech

Bolt Kenya teams up with M-KOPA to launch electric motorcycles

Published

1 day ago

April 29, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

In a bid to improve driver earnings and combat climate change, ride-hailing platform, Bolt Kenya, has struck a partnership with Kenya’s energy fintech firm and largest financier of electric motorbikes, M-KOPA, to launch electric motorcycles in the country.

The partnership between the two, according to Caroline Wanjihia, Bolt Kenya’s Regional Director, will give new and existing Bolt drivers the opportunity to lease ROAM and Ampersand electric motorbikes at a discounted price in comparison to current market rates, boosting earnings through a reduction in operational costs and helping the market move towards eco-friendly urban mobility.

The initial rollout of 5,000 electric motorcycle aligns with the recent launch of Kenya’s National E-mobility Policy, aimed at promoting local production and assembly of EVs, Wanjihia said in a statement on Monday.

“We are excited to introduce our electric bike fleet, in partnership with M-KOPA, as part of our ongoing efforts to support and empower our drivers,” she stated.

“Through this collaboration, Bolt will leverage M-KOPA’s fintech platform to make electric motorbike ownership affordable, by substantially reducing the expenses associated with electric motorbikes for drivers.

“This marks a significant milestone in Bolt’s mission to provide sustainable and financially viable transportation solutions in Kenya.

“By leveraging electric vehicles, we are not only reducing our environmental footprint, but also aim to enhance driver earnings and improve overall economic stability within the communities that we serve.

“Considering all financial incentives and reduced operating costs, drivers participating in this pilot launch could see significantly increased daily earnings compared to petrol motorcycles.

“This initiative underscores our commitment to driving positive change and fostering economic empowerment within our driver community.”

Also speaking on the collaboration, Managing Director of M-KOPA Mobility, David Damberger, said his company was committed to redefining mobility in Kenya through affordable financing solutions for electric motorbikes, particularly for the underbanked.

“Partnering with Bolt represents a significant leap towards this goal, enabling us to broaden our reach and support more customers in transitioning to sustainable transport solutions.

“Already, we have made substantial inroads since launching our Mobility division in 2022, in collaboration with ROAM and Ampersand.

“With over two million motorbikes navigating Kenya’s roads, now is the time for us to extend our reach, as we set to positively impact the environment significantly by reducing carbon emissions and saving on fuel costs – an essential keystone of Kenya’s sustainable development,” he said.

Tech

RepAir, Cella partner to launch carbon capture in Kenya

Published

3 days ago

April 27, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Global Direct Air Capture (DAC) firm, RepAir, has entered into a partnership with carbon storage technology company, Cella, to launch a first-of-its-kind innovative Carbon Capture and Storage venture in Kenya.

In a statement on its website on Friday, RepAir said the venture will see a replication of its “cultivating partnerships” with storage firms in Europe, U.S. and Africa.

“This storage agreement will streamline the sale of high-quality carbon credits to off-takers, enabling corporations to meet evolving ESG standards, manage offsets and advance towards net zero goals,” the statement issued by RePAir CEO, Amir Amir Shiner, stated.

“Our solution sets a new standard, requiring only 600 kWh per ton of CO2 captured, marking the lowest energy consumption on the market.

“This agreement is perfectly aligned with the launch of our commercial demonstrator in 2025, empowering RepAir to offer high-quality carbon credits to our customers.

“It will see to the establishment of a storage partnership with Cella aimed at creating dedicated value chains for extracting CO2 from the atmosphere and permanently storing it underground through in-situ mineralization.

Corey Pattison, CEO, Cella, who also issued a statement on the partnership, said “by partnering with Cella at our first demonstration site, RepAir can capitalize on two critical resources: the potential for truly permanent, highly verifiable carbon storage via mineralization combined with Kenya’s abundant renewable energy sources.

“Together these resources provide a comprehensive solution for capturing and storing CO2 for off-takers. This collaboration represents an extraordinary opportunity to nurture mutual growth.”