The Jacaranda Hub in Zambia illustrates integrated planning ultimately benefits the environment, the economy and people.
The Jacaranda Hub in Zambia is a technology and innovation driven organization, with the aim of providing capital to small, medium and micro enterprises (SMME).
Mara Zhanet Michelo, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of the Jacaranda Hub in Zambia, said her organization is instrumental in the digital transition of SMME internal systems and business models. This is one way of ensuring small business becomes more efficient and cost effective.
Zhanet-Michelo was a panelist and speaker at this week’s African Smart Cities Summit, part of the Big 5 Construct South Africa, organized by dmg Events. She is a multi-award winner, including Tech Woman of the Year, Under 50 Female Trailblazer Award by Tech trends Zambia in 2022.
The Jacaranda Hub’s integrated approach is evident in companies it supports, in a bid to tackle climate change, while addressing socio-economic impacts.
Black Sea Water is one of the companies that are supported by the Hub. The company traps water from the atmosphere, for bulk water distributors (B2B) to sell to customers.
Zhanet-Michelo said this concept is awaiting funding to kickoff, as prototype tests were completed.
Another exemplary enterprise in the Jacaranda Hub’s circle, is Ebusaka, a waste management company, preventing diseases, while recycling waste into biogas.
The company has developed a platform that digitizes the waste ecosystem. The exact location of waste is located for waste-pick up services.
Once found, the waste, is turned into biogas.
The platform not only connects waste collection companies to households, it also simplifies the revenue collection task for Government.
Another enterprise part of the Hub, is Veganic Food, whose focus is on the production of plant-based foods.
Veganic is currently investigating the commercial viability of plant-based foods to rural communities.
Speaking to Earthnews365, Zhanet-Michelo, said although still young, the Jacaranda Hub, has established strategic, viable partnerships.
The Hub was established in 2017, and started operating in 2018, in Lusaka and North Western areas of Zambia.
It has an innovation hub, in partnership with Absa bank.
It also works in partnership with mines to provide capacity building to contractors and suppliers.
Picture: dmg Events