Nzambi Matee

The Women of the Year Eco-Champion Award, sponsored by Alquity Investment Management, CFC, Elior and Water Unite, was presented to 29 year old inventor and entrepreneur Nzambi Matee by Miquita Oliver. Nzambi is the founder of a startup that recycles plastic waste into bricks that are stronger than concrete. Nzambi’s innovation in the construction sector shows the positive opportunities that can be generated by a circular economy – she gets the waste material free from packaging factories and also buys it from other recyclers. Through experimentation, she discovered which plastics bind better together and then created the machinery that would allow her to mass produce the tiles. She explains that “Plastic is a material that is misused and misunderstood. The potential is enormous, but its afterlife can be disastrous.” The company has so far recycled over 20 tonnes of plastic waste into paving bricks, and also generated over 100 jobs for rubbish collectors, women and youth groups.

Nzambi Matee said,

“I am honoured to receive this award and I would like to dedicate it to my family and team, without whom the Gjenge (translation: build yourself) dream of recycling plastic waste to alternative building bricks would not have been realised. So shout out to those back home in Kenya, and let’s build a sustainable future brick by brick.”

Alquity said,

“We are delighted that Nzambi has been recognised by the Woman of the Year awards for her impact on the environment. Nzambi was one of our Transforming Lives Awards winners in 2019, when her idea for recycling waste plastic into construction bricks was still in its infancy. The fact she has developed Gjenge Makers into a thriving business despite the challenging COVID pandemic, pays testament to her courage, passion and commitment. She is a true champion and an inspiration for Alquity’s continuing mission to transform how we invest”

Katherine Nellums, CFC’s ESG Committee Chair said,

“Through her innovative company, Nzambi has demonstrated a combination of ingenuity, entrepreneurship, social conscience and engineering prowess. She is tackling two challenges simultaneously – plastic waste and the need for affordable, sustainable building materials – while creating jobs, building a business and giving back to her community. An amazing feat!’

Lord Malcolm Bruce, Water Unite Chair said,

“We’re extremely pleased that Nzambi has been named the Women of the Year Eco-Champion in recognition of her fantastic work. Water Unite, alongside our partner Elior UK, has been supporting Gjenge Makers since 2019 in their mission to recycle waste into sustainable, affordable building materials across Kenya and the African continent. Nzambi is a shining example of the fantastic female entrepreneurs working to tackle the world’s most pressing social and environmental issues.”

Charlotte Wright, Director of CSR and Wellness at Elior UK said,

“We’ve been truly inspired by Nzambi for many years now. We were first introduced to her work in 2019 through our partnership with Water Unite, whose work forms part of our strategic approach to social value through investment in environmental projects around the world. We are thrilled to see Nzambi achieve this award as Woman of the Year Eco Champion in recognition of everything she has achieved.”