Case Studies
IBLF (Youth Business International) - Zablon Karingi Muthaka, Nairobi
Zablon Karingi Muthaka is 26-years-old and runs Beta Bins Waste Management and Environmental Conservation, a business he started in Kenya in 2004 with help from Youth Business International, a programme of The Prince of Wales International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF).
Zablon saw that Nairobi residential areas had been choking with waste. Burgeoning estates (slums) and the scarcity of official dumping sites within residential and commercial areas had led to the accumulation of litter and waste products at every corner of the city.
Zablon spotted an opportunity to convert this crisis into a business by starting a waste collection service, but finding the start-up capital he required proved challenging.
Most financial institutions turned down his request for a loan because of their stiff lending conditions and his lack of collateral.
After presenting his business plan to the Kenya Youth Business Trust (KYBT) – the local Youth Business International programme – Zablon was awarded a loan.
The KYBT loan has enabled Zablon's business to flourish. He now employs five young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Zablon started his business by collecting domestic waste and is now also increasing the value of his business by sorting recyclable raw materials, such as plastics, cottons, papers, bones, metallic products, composite manure and foodstuffs.
Zablon says: “Waste is a renewable resource and a source of energy; it’s just in the wrong place!”
Through hard work and determination, Beta Bin’s annual turnover is now a healthy US$4,699 per annum. Immediate investment and expansion plans are geared towards the purchase of his own transportation truck.
Asked to sum up his experience, Zablon said: “To my fellow youth, don’t just sit there, do something. A business idea could be just on your doorstep. Never underestimate your ability.
“The business has really changed me from nothing to something. I never thought that one day I could own such a positive venture.”
Zablon believes that determination knows no barriers. He also believes that success can be achieved by passion, a positive mental attitude and the philosophy of “think big, start small and grow big”. His ambition therefore, is to be the owner of the leading waste management firm in Africa.
In October 2006, Zablon was named Youth Business International Entrepreneur at the YBI Global Conference in Hong Kong.
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