Most farmers in Kenya depend on imported, synthetic fertilisers for their crops, and processed feed for their animals. This is often imported, costly, and – in the case of feed – uses foodstuffs that are also in demand for human consumption. Meanwhile, as much as half of the 3,000 tonnes of waste produced in Nairobi alone every day is organic – that is, a feedstock. If treated and processed appropriately it could be used to produce organic fertilisers and animal feed for poultry, pigs and fish.

Through a process of bioconversion, Ecodudu’s black soldier fly larvae convert waste into fertiliser (‘Shamba Mix)’, and the larvae are used to make a high-protein feed source (‘Dudu Meal’). Currently their main raw material – which represents about 90% of their inputs – is avocado waste from a single producer. In using this, they divert some 20 tonnes every day from landfill. To close the loop further they also supply this same producer with Shamba Mix to feed the avocado trees. Ecodudu is now also working to decentralise production by training farmers to produce the feed and organic fertilisers themselves. This will enable them to scale with less capital, increasing their impact by reducing waste to landfill, enhancing soils and improving farmer livelihoods. At the same time, Ecodudu is developing different fertiliser formulae – some 34 in total – that they plan to use to provide farmers with precision nutrition for their crops. They have benefitted from a unique investment from GreenTec Capital, who provide operational support and market linkages, which will convert into equity if certain milestones are achieved. 

This case study has been created as part of Footprints Africa's work to build the first ever comprehensive mapping of circular economy initiatives in Africa. This will lay the foundation open-source database that can inspire local initiatives, as well as inform the global dialogue, which is largely focused on the European and American contexts. We are doing this in collaboration with the African Circular Economy Network (ACEN). ACEN's vision is to build a restorative African economy that generates well-being and prosperity inclusive of all its people through new forms of economic production and consumption which maintain and regenerate its environmental resources.

The objective is to build an open-source database featuring 500 cases by the end of 2021, with strong regional representation. These will feature in the Knowledge Hub and are also being mapped by GRID-Arendal.