Mbariro Organization

Teaching at the Right Level CHALLENGE; Zimbabwe

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) Education Program

Learn more about the Teaching at the Right Level Challenge and how an evidence-based foundational learning program can improve primary literacy and numeracy in low-resource schools.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Mbariro Organization’s mission is to empower Zimbabwe’s children to develop the skills and competencies needed to create solutions for the country’s most pressing challenges.

The venture’s model adapts the Teaching at the Right Level (TaRL) approach to the Zimbabwean context. Mbariro will partner with schools to conduct training camps for teachers and volunteers, equipping them to implement the TaRL methodology effectively.

Mbariro Organization will also train mentors to provide ongoing support to program implementers. Additionally, they aim to build and strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders—including the government, higher education institutions, the business community, philanthropic organizations, and civil society—to expand their reach and achieve impactful outcomes.

Mbariro was founded by Lovemore Mawere. Mary-Ann Musonda and Innocent Razano later joined to create the core leadership team. Together, they manage the organization.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Reach 300 learners.

• Distribute 1 proven intervention.

• Raise an additional 80,000 USD in funds.

FOUNDING TEAM

Lovemore Mawere - Founder

Ekha Solar Project

SOLAR LAMP CHALLENGE; Zimbabwe

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Solar Lamps

Learn more about the Solar Lamp Challenge and how these lamps create enormous benefits for developing world families.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Ekha Solar Project’s mission is to reduce extreme energy poverty and bridge the energy gap by providing affordable and sustainable clean solar solutions to last-mile communities.

Ekha Solar Project distributes solar home systems through a network of rural community-based distribution agents (CBDs).

They offer flexible and affordable payment instalments through a simplified, user-friendly Pay-As-You-Go (PAYG) system.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Directly reach 3,500 people during the pilot.

• Distribute 700 lamps.

• Raise an additional $25,000.

FOUNDING TEAM

Rufaro Marufu - Project and Business Development Lead

Angeline Motsi - Technical Sales and Marketing Lead

Bilo Ventures

SOLAR LAMP CHALLENGE; ZIMBABWE

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Solar lamps. 

Learn more about the Solar Lamp Challenge and how these lamps create enormous benefits for developing world families.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Bilo Ventures is a social enterprise whose mission is to eliminate extreme energy poverty in rural Zimbabwe.

According to (ZimStats, 2012), there are 1,536,090 rural households without access to electricity in Zimbabwe alone. The Zimbabwe National Renewable Energy Policy states that rural electrification stands at 13%, with the primary lighting source being paraffin or kerosene candles.

By marketing world-class products and building a rural distribution network, Bilo Ventures will improve lives while creating economic opportunities and a cleaner environment in remote areas. The venture uses a franchise model for distribution. Each franchisee will be an entrepreneur, residing in the local village and will be carefully selected and trained. Each will receive a starter kit with documented best practices for selling solar lamps in a rural context. They will also receive comprehensive training to enable them to quickly ramp up their productivity.

These franchisees will be assigned target and be expected to participate in daily and weekly sessions where performance will be reviewed, successes and best practices are shared and targets are set for the ensuing period. On a monthly and quarterly basis, the franchisees will meet to review performance, celebrate the top performers, share best practices and receive further training.

Bilo Ventures is led by the founding team of Tendai Sixpence, Tawanda Munyika and Constance Muleya. The team is passionate about rural development and the power of free enterprise.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Sell 500 solar lamps that will directly benefit 2,500 people by the end of three months

• Sell 2,500 solar lamps that will directly benefit 15,000 people by the end of Year 1

• Reach 60,000 people by the end of Year 2

FOUNDING TEAM

Tendai Sixpence - Co-founder & Managing Director

Constance Muleya - Co-founder

Tawanda Munyika - Co-founder & Finance Director

Sun Plugged

SOLAR LAMP CHALLENGE; ZIMBABWE

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Solar lamps. 

Learn more about the Solar Lamp Challenge and how these lamps create enormous benefits for developing world families.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Sun Plugged is a Zimbabwean-based renewable energy company aimed at distributing affordable renewable energy solutions to the last mile customer in the rural areas.

Their distribution model focuses on community empowerment through engaging community-based sales agents, also known as Community Energy Distributors (CEDs). The CEDs are well versed and are able to articulate better the needs of the community that they live in, making them our frontline and critical cog in the model. Sun Plugged uses Pay as You Go (PAYG) to plug the affordability gaps that currently exist within rural communities, in order to ensure clean renewable energy is accessible to all.

Sun Plugged was started in 2021 by Fidelis Mashonga, Shalom Makaya, Talent Mashonga and Albert Kazembe. Fidelis serves as the Chief Executive Officer, while Shalom is Operations Manager. Talent is the Accountant and Albert is the Sales Manager.

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Sell 500 solar lamps that will directly benefit 2,500 people by the end of three months

• Sell 2,500 solar lamps that will directly benefit 15,000 people by the end of Year 1

• Raise an additional $150,000 in capital

FOUNDING TEAM

Fidelis Mashonga - Chief Executive Officer

Shalom Makaya - Operations Manager

Talent Mashonga - Accountant

Albert Kazembe - Sales Manager

Bright Renewables

SOLAR LAMP CHALLENGE; ZIMBABWE

PROVEN INTERVENTION TO BE DISTRIBUTED

Solar lamps and solar energy products. 

Learn more about the Solar Lamp Challenge and how these lamps create enormous benefits for developing world families.

DISTRIBUTION MODEL INNOVATION

Bright Renewables (BR) will enter the market by distributing high-quality, pico-solar products from a Lighting Africa approved supplier, d.light design to households and small businesses direct sales through a direct sales model. Informed by preliminary market research, the priority of the pilot is to invest in building the brand, trust, and perception of BR's name within communities. 

BR's target customer segment is women. Women make the financial decisions for household needs. 10 sales agents will be trained during the pilot; the sales agent distribution model shortens channel length in a price-sensitive market, educates consumers about the products, and allows consumers an opportunity to interface directly with a person who can answer their questions and note their concerns. BR will recruit youth through church networks which have a strong and respected status in communities and play a key role in organizing community resources to support members' business and opportunities for youth. A two-day training for sales agents will focus on: expectations and core business values, product technical details, responses to customer concerns, sales pitching, sales ethics, leadership, financial literacy, and record-keeping. 

PILOT AND SCALING GOALS

• Distribute 400 products by the end of the pilot phase
• Reach 10,000 households by the end of year 1 
• reach 30,000 households by the end of year 2

FOUNDING TEAM

Allison Lee - Co-Founder

Tinotenda Ganga - Co-Founder