#solerebels

https://thebenchmark.com.ng/solerebels-the-female-led-ethiopian-shoe-brand-that-went-global/#:~:text=soleRebels%20has%20revolutionized%20the%20footwear,%2C%20the%20UK%2C%20and%20beyond.

https://www.modaonlinemagazalari.com/moda-markas/solerebels/

https://www.modneznacky.eu/znacka/solerebels/

Waste management is a major problem in Africa and several other continents around the world. There are not a lot of systems available to effectively and properly manage waste in Africa. According to a World Bank Urban Development Series report, Africa currently produces just about 70 million tons of waste every year. A lot of this waste goes to litter the streets and causes pollution. Pollution is harmful to the environment and is also harmful to the health of the local populace. Seeing the lack of efficient waste management, some African entrepreneurs have seen an opportunity and turned it into profitable businesses. These entrepreneurs have developed systems and solutions to effectively manage waste. They have been able to reduce pollution, making the environment and the health of the local populace better. On this post, we would be meeting 4 African entrepreneurs in the recycling business. These entrepreneurs are inspiring and are dedicated to making Africa a cleaner place.

 African Entrepreneurs in the Recycling Business: Bilikiss Adebiyi Abiola, Wecyclers, Nigeria

Bilikiss Adebiyi Abiola is the CEO and co-founder of Wecyclers in Lagos, Nigeria.  Wecyclers is a for-profit social enterprise that helps local communities recycle unmanaged waste. The enterprise was founded in 2012 and she developed the idea as an MBA student in the USA. She saw the huge potential of the recycling sector in Lagos, Nigeria. Seeing as Lagos is the most populous city in Nigeria with over 16 million people. The city produces up to 10,000 metric tons of waste every day. A lot of that waste is not collected or properly managed and goes on to clog the drainage systems in the city and also litters the city. She decided to change that, she uses low-cost cargo bicycles called “wecycles” to provide convenient recycling services to households in Lagos by using an SMS-based incentives system. Her business is very successful and has gathered local and international support.

African Entrepreneurs in the Recycling Business: Andrew Mupuya, Yeli, Uganda

Around 2007, the Ugandan government placed a ban on plastic bags because of excessive environmental pollution. This led to Andrew Mupuya who was 16 at the time to get inspired to manufacture paper bags. He founded Yeli which is Uganda’s first paper bag company, in 2008. He was still in school at the time but raised the money to start the business ($14) by selling 70 kilograms of plastic wastes, and borrowed another $3 from his teacher. Mupuya then did research by visiting kiosks and small businesses to know if they had any need for paper bags. Once he saw that there was a market for it, he started manufacturing paper and now his business has grown exponentially. His business has been recognised by various international platforms like Forbes, CNN and he also won the $30,000 Anzisha Prize.

African Entrepreneurs in the Recycling Business: Lorna Rutto, EcoPost, Kenya

Lorna Rutto started EcoPost after she left her banking job in 2009. EcoPost is a recycling business that recycles plastic waste and uses them to manufacture fencing posts. The post made are used to fence houses and forest reserves. Her posts have become the preferred alternative to timber, she has been able to save 250 acres of forests which would have been destroyed to produce wood for building and construction needs in Kenya.

African Entrepreneurs in the Recycling Business: Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, soleRebels, Ethiopia

Ethiopians in the list of “Young African Leaders Making a Positive Change”

Africa has the youngest population in the world, with 200 million people between the ages of 15 and 24. According to the World Bank, youth account for 60 percent of all unemployed people on the continent, with young women bearing the sting of unemployment as young men are favoured for jobs. Instead of succumbing to fear of these statistics, many young people have taken the entrepreneurship route,…

To SoleRebels

Ok so you have absolutely no idea how long I have wanted these SoleRebels shoes for! I have been especially eyeing up this pair since the start of time. And I finally got them!

But here’s what happened: I got my pair and they were abnormally small. Being a bit disappointed, I asked if I could exchange it for a size up. WELL, they just gave me a new pair. It’s part of their policy which was great! But this pair ended up being too big (this shoe was a legit size 7. The shoe I had previously got was just wayy too small to be a 6). But I felt too bad to ask for another pair, so I just chucked an insole in there (not a foam one. Never use a foam one people- they just disintegrate and they look awful!) and problema resolvo! 

Since I've been wearing them, I have constantly (I kid you not) been complimented for these shoes. I don’t know a single person who does not like them!

 And here’s another reason you should think about getting a pair: They make these shoes out of recycled tyres! How awesome! Even more fantastically, they are certified fairtrade and made in Ethiopia. Here they do everything from cutting the tyres to spinning and weaving the cotton for the shoe’s design. Of course there is the question of where these materials came from but apparently they are locally sourced so I sure hope so!

Plus the owner (yes the owner!) Bethlehem replies to your emails. She is a rocking chick! What she does is awesome!

Unfortunately I got leather shoes (there are vegan options) which means they can only stay summer shoes due to water damage but that’s aight. And mine are low cut so they do chafe but like all low cut shoes, you get used to it/the problem can be solved with heel stuff.

They do have some limited editions shoes as well if you want to check those out too. Plus there’s free shipping which makes it so much easier to decide whether you want a pair or not if you live on the other side of the world! (But it does take longer than they say on their website- not that much longer though!)

All in all, what a cute brand and I love what they’re doing!