Nigerian Startup OkwuEco relaunches waste management platform.
Nigerian startup OkwuEco has relaunched its marketplace platform for solid waste disposal to motivate recycling.
OkwuEco Mobile App that helps users identify, sort, buy, sell, and dispose of solid waste for cash or points, and automatically schedule pickups with waste merchants anywhere.
It utilizes image recognition that allows users to identify and sort waste hence enabling waste merchants to access available waste.
Even though the startup is competing with various local and international competitors it is filling several gaps and thus has a competitive advantage.
Co-founder of OkwuEco, Saviour Anyanyu said, “Our platform uses deep technology to help users identify and sort their waste and make a connection to waste collectors or waste disposal services. It is flexible and easy to deploy anywhere, without customization, and provides convenience, performance, stable prices and lower cost of waste management and recycling”
“We are open and user-friendly, with support for multiple languages and payment options, ideal in targeting the un-banked and delivering value,” Anyanyu further said.
OkwoEco aims to create sustainable livelihood and income opportunities by creating value from solid waste management while preserving the environment.
At the moment, the app is available on Google Play.
Anyanwu disclosed in an interview that it was ongoing negotiations with various waste management associations and government bodies to scale operations.
“The uptake has been an interesting journey for us in learning, improving our business capacity, and being exposed to real market issues,” he said.
“We have been having various meetings with stakeholders while fine-tuning our technology and business model to embrace market dynamics and policy, and deliver quality service to our users as we plan our re-launch,” he added.
OkwuEco earns revenue by deducting a percentage fee on transactions made on its platform. Also, Waste merchants are charged a subscription fee.
The startup was incorporated last year. It is currently, working with 70 users including waste merchants and dealers.