ACCESS TO GREEN FINANCE

The Access to Green Finance program is an initiative by the Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs, funded by the IKEA Foundation.

The program aims to accelerate 30 startups with innovative green Marine plastic waste management solutions in Mombasa, Kilifi, and Kwale. The program aims to overcome marine plastic waste financing and scalability challenges and limited stakeholder engagement by bridging the gap between startups and government, positioning Mombasa as a hub for innovation.

Programme Objectives

• Engage at least 30 innovator teams (minimum 50% women-led) in the #PlasticHack challenge, with 10 teams supported to commercialize and scale their solutions.
• Prepare 10 teams for investment and link them to funding partners, with each receiving a KES 200,000 grant and targeted support for business growth.
• Promote responsible marine plastic management through awareness and community-led clean-up and waste management initiatives.
• Contribute to at least a 10% reduction in ocean plastic pollution, with scalable solutions driving long-term environmental and economic impact in coastal communities.

Outcomes

• The top 10 SMEs were awarded a 17,000 USD grant from the ANDE project.
• 169 new jobs were created, from 210 to 379 full-time employees. From 135 to 236 women (+101 women in full-time roles)
• Over 25,000 tons of plastic collected/processed across participating SMEs
• Exposure to carbon credit opportunities and new sustainability models.