Creating Sustainable Livelihoods
Kilele Accelerator powers eco-friendly industries with high employment capacity creating sustainable livelihoods.
What is Kilele
Kilele Accelerator is an early stage social enterprise committed to providing sustainable livelihoods to African youth by creating environmentally beneficial industries with high employment capacity.
We are a business!
Kilele creates new micro industries through technical transfer of climate innovations into economically viable grassroots projects.
We are an NGO!
Kilele establishes waste management value chains in the e-waste and plastic circular economies that unlock dignified jobs for African youth.
What Inspired us
“Academic research through my postgraduate studies at Cambridge University argued that the gap in employment in Africa — beyond skills — requires the creation of new jobs in new industries targeting high-growth markets and with high employment capacity for low-skilled workers.”
The Challenge We're Solving
Africa faces a dual crisis: massive youth unemployment and growing environmental waste
- Youth Unemployment
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53 million unemployed youth in Africa
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67% youth unemployment in Kenya
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1M+ youth enter the workforce annually
- E-waste & Plastic Waste
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51,300 tons of e-waste generated annually
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966,000 tons of plastic waste annually
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30% carbon reduction through e-waste reuse
Social Franchising Model
Kilele – in partnership with The Cambridge Centre for Global Equality (CGE) – translates climate innovations into economically viable local projects through their social franchising approach.
The CGE is a UK based organisation that facilitates technical transfer of inclusive innovations from Cambridge University researchers to local implementors in the global South.
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Global Innovation Transfer Bringing cutting-edge research from Cambridge University to African communities
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Local Adaptation Tailoring solutions to meet local needs and market conditions
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Community Empowerment Creating sustainable employment opportunities for local youth
Flagship Project
EV Battery Circular Economy
LifeTime is a low cost, locally assemble-able hybrid and electric vehicle battery diagnostics and repair kit developed by a team of Cambridge University researchers. Kilele’s flagship social franchising project will enable youth to earn a livelihood through repair and repurposing of hybrid & EV batteries with the LifeTime Kit.
Inclusive Innovation
The LifeTime team provide technical expertise support.
Social Franchising
The CGE team facilitate business advisory services.
Circular Economy Products & Services
LifeTime Diagnostics Kit
Supply high quality, low cost, LifeTime diagnostics kits to the e-mobility market.
Trustable Battery Diagnosis
Provide trustable battery diagnostic services for vehicle owners and dealers.
Refurbished Battery Packs
Supply refurbished battery packs for vehicles, solar and power storage use.
Technical Training & Certification
Train and certify technicians in lithium ion battery repair and repurposing.
Projects Pipeline
Kilele through the CGE cultivator program partnership has access to a pipeline of inclusive innovations that would inform future projects and revenue streams. Specifically, we have already begun exploring ideas in the Plastic Recycling and Off-grid Solar space.
Plastic Recycling
Inspired by KilifiRecycling, an innovation by Cambridge engineering researchers, Kilele built a plastic recycling machine based on precious plastic’s opensource specifications.
Off-grid Solar
Beny LIGHT is a low-cost solar lighting and cellphone charging system for rural communities developed by a Cambridge University researcher.
Who we aim to impact
Empowering youth aged 18–35 in urban areas of Kenya & East Africa with the skills, tools and access to succeed in the 21st century job market.
Youth Focus
Youth aged 18-35 years. Primary, Secondary & Post-secondary dropouts.
Urban Focus
Capital cities, major towns and peri-urban centres.
Entrepreneurial Focus
Driven and motivated to build transferable skills.
Gender Equity
60% young women and 40% young men
Meet the Team
Ngibuini ‘Gibbs’ Mwaura
Co-founder and CEO
Joseph ‘Joe’ Gachira
Co-founder and COO