As part of the broader Kick Out Malaria program, we have the Repurpose-to-Wealth (also called Repurpose2Wealth) initiative to help African households and families turn their waste into wealth.

With the Repurpose2Wealth initiative, households and families especially those in urban areas can keep their yam stems (popularly referred to as 'yam heads') for local farmers to boost their yields. The yam stems, which are usually disposed of with other kitchen waste are highly sought-after by farmers for plantation. A yam stem costs about NGN550 ($0.35) on average, but billions of these yam stems end up in the garbage in Africa.

Nigeria, alone, loses an estimated US$2.1 billion worth of yam stems per year.

We have a reward-based system whereby the homes give the yam stems and other recyclable waste in exchange for some amount of money. This motivates the households to willingly collect and preserve the items for our agents who go from home to home to pick up the products for end users who are smallholder farmers and local recyclers.

Repurpose2Wealth ensures everyone benefits:

1. There are surplus yam stems for farmers to increase their yields
2. Households save big on foodstuff
3. Inflation is significantly reduced
4. Billions of USD in food wastage is prevented
5. Food security is ensured for all.

This will also improve our circular economy and ensure local manufacturers can easily access some raw materials they need for their production from recycled items.