Transformational Business Conference and Awards 2020

Jibu franchised drinking water treatment

Jibu addresses the lack of safe drinking water and business ownership opportunities in emerging markets in Africa. The company trains and finances entrepreneurs to produce and distribute affordable and safe drinking water and other essential services to their local communities. An environmentally-conscious approach is incorporated through the elimination of single-use plastics and the use of ultrafiltration water technology that requires less energy and water than traditional technologies. The franchise network currently employs over 1,500 full-time staff and has sold more than 160 million litres of safe drinking water.

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Ecometrica’s satellite-based forest monitoring system

Ecometrica’s Forests 2020 programme is devoted to reducing deforestation and enhancing a more sustainable use of resources through monitoring and delivering deforestation data. The system, which generates data from satellite imagery, supports governments and organisations to better understand and manage resources. Ecometrica also works with agribusinesses and traders, so that they are better informed as they manage suppliers and ensure compliance with international green standards. The system currently monitors 90 million hectares of land across seven countries and has contributed to 500,000 hectares of avoided forest loss since launching in 2017.

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Simprints biometric ID technology for impact verification

Simprints builds and deploys reliable biometric solutions that verify the reach of healthcare and other crucial public services in South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. The system is built for low-resource areas without Internet connectivity, providing highly accurate fingerprint and facial identification tools for vulnerable populations. Partnering with organisations such as the Ethiopian Federal Ministry of Health, the Children's Investment Fund Foundation, Gavi and DFID, Simprints’ technology helps increase the effectiveness and transparency of development programmes. It has so far reached over 387,000 beneficiaries, with verified access to healthcare, finance and education services.

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Vodafone Foundation Instant Network Schools for refugees

Vodafone Foundation supports education in refugee camps with quality digital learning. This is achieved through supplying resources for delivering lessons, including learning materials and coaching for teachers, as well as technical and hardware support, such as devices for generating power and an internet connection. The aim of the programme is to maximise the students’ learning experience while at the same time empowering teachers through technology. Over 86,000 students and 1,000 teachers in four African countries have been positively impacted by the programme. 

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IKEA Foundation livelihood development programme for Somali refugees

While refugee camps offer safety to those who have been forced to flee their homes, livelihoods are pressured by limited job opportunities and an underdeveloped infrastructure. IKEA Foundation has responded by creating sustainable entrepreneurial and employment opportunities in five camps for Somali refugees in Ethiopia. This is achieved through providing technical training and setting up independent refugee-led agriculture and livestock cooperatives, as well as infrastructure supporting farming and commercial activities, such as irrigation canals, slaughterhouses and animal health shops.

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