Kampala-based social enterprise Kijani has collected funds from RENEW, an investment firm that launched in Uganda last year. The amount was not disclosed.
The funding round will see the company, which makes cost-saving and environmentally friendly diapers, increase its production and expand to more markets in East Africa.
Kijani becomes the first company RENEW’s Impact Angel Network (IAN) has invested in, in Uganda.
Founded 6 years ago by Valerie Muigai and her husband, Muigai Ndoka, the startup produces cost-saving and environmentally friendly diapers.
The idea was birthed when the couple, on producing their first baby, wanted to minimize expenses on it.
In the process, the couple discovered modern cloth diapers, and because of their health, environmental and economic benefits, Valerie decided to learn how to make the diapers.
Armed with the skills, she got to work and they have since produced thousands of diapers which have been sold within Uganda and exported to various nations around the world, including the United States of America.
Having worked in international development in East Africa for 9 years, Valerie recognized that most women don’t want a handout, they want an opportunity to create a good life for themselves are their children.
She says the round will help them scale production and improve their systems.
“We at Kijani are very excited to begin this partnership with RENEW,” said Valerie Muigui, according to TechMoran. “This investment will be instrumental to scale our production and improve our systems, so we can grow and make washable diapers affordable and accessible for more families in East Africa.”
The investment firm says it is excited to help the startup achieve its expansion plans.
“As an entrepreneur myself and a mother of an infant daughter, I really respect Valerie and what she has built at Kijani Baby,” said Laura Davis, partner at RENEW. “We are excited to partner with Kijani to help the company expand in East Africa, and I will continue to use the company’s high-quality products to diaper our little one.”
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