Mission: Possible – Innovating for the World’s Most Marginalized

#61 Project Maji: Pricing Water, Powering Change in Sub-Saharan Africa

Description What happens when clean water becomes both a human right and a business puzzle? In this episode, we dive into Project Maji—a nonprofit social enterprise that builds solar-powered water kiosks across rural communities in Sub-Saharan Africa, starting in Ghana and Kenya. We follow founder Sunil Lalvani’s journey from witnessing a broken hand pump to designing a modular “Maji Cube” that delivers reliable water through remote monitoring and cashless payments. But the real tension sits at the heart of the model: pricing. Charging a small fee can keep systems running and fund maintenance, yet raising prices to scale faster risks backlash, inequity concerns, and accusations of profiteering. As Project Maji explores peri-urban expansion to generate earned revenue—and even considers household connections—we unpack the strategic trade-offs between mission, sustainability, and growth. Along the way, we compare similar models in the region, examine how technology curbs leakage and boosts reliability, and ask the big question: what’s a fair price for water when the goal is impact at scale? Key Words / Tags Project Maji; water kiosks; solar water systems; Sub-Saharan Africa; Ghana; Kenya; WASH; social enterprise; impact investing; Danone Communities; pricing strategy; last-mile infrastructure; rural development; peri-urban markets; cashless payments; NFC tokens; remote monitoring; sustainability; scalability; cross-subsidization; gender and water; public health; SDG 6; inclusive business; water governance

#60 Shenzhen Power Solution Replacing Kerosene Lamps with Solar Innovation

Description Across sub-Saharan Africa, hundreds of millions of people still live without reliable electricity. For many families, the night is lit only by candles or kerosene lamps—dangerous, unhealthy, and costly sources of light. In this episode, we explore how a Chinese social enterprise is working to change that reality. Shenzhen Power Solution (SPS), founded by entrepreneur Susan Li, has developed ultra-affordable solar products designed specifically for communities living off the electricity grid. Its flagship product, the “Candles Killer” solar lamp, costs less than five dollars yet provides years of clean, reliable lighting. By combining frugal engineering, innovative distribution partnerships, and pay-as-you-go financing models, SPS has brought solar lighting to millions of households across Africa. In this episode, we discuss how SPS identified a massive market opportunity at the bottom of the pyramid, how the company built a sustainable business model serving low-income communities, and the real-world impact of replacing kerosene lamps with solar energy. We also examine the challenges of scaling social enterprises—from logistics and financing to local partnerships and supply chain localization. Join us as we explore how technology, entrepreneurship, and social innovation can illuminate the world’s most underserved communities—and what lessons this case offers for the future of sustainable development. Key words Social innovation, solar energy, off-grid energy, energy access, Africa development, Shenzhen Power Solution, Candles Killer, Social entrepreneurship, Bottom of the pyramid, frugal innovation, renewable energy, sustainable business models, energy poverty, pay-as-you-go solar, clean technology

#59 How AFEX is modernizing African Agriculture

Description In this episode, we dive into the AFEX case—an African commodities exchange that set out to “help Africa feed itself” by connecting smallholder farmers and agribusinesses to transparent markets and finance. Starting in Nigeria, AFEX learned that building a world-class trading platform wasn’t enough: without solving last-mile problems like storage, grading, logistics, and trust, there would be no reliable volume flowing through the exchange. We unpack AFEX’s business model innovation—its warehouse receipt system, input financing that boosts yields, digital price transparency for farmers using basic phones, and quality/traceability standards that attract processors and international buyers. We also examine the 2019 liquidity crunch and the strategic pivot that followed: restructuring into three entities (AFEX Fair Trade, AFEX Commodities Exchange, and AFEX Investment) to scale infrastructure, deepen trading liquidity, and provide working-capital financing for processors. Finally, we explore the impact and the trade-offs: how AFEX reduces post-harvest losses and improves farmer incomes, but also faces capital intensity, operational risk, regulatory complexity, and the challenge of scaling across Africa while maintaining trust and quality. Keywords AFEX; Nigeria agriculture; commodity exchange; warehouse receipt system; agri-fintech; smallholder farmers; food security; price transparency; traceability; post-harvest losses; input financing; working capital; platform business model; market liquidity; agricultural value chain; scaling in Africa; impact investing; agribusiness innovation; inclusive markets; supply chain infrastructure

#58 Clean Water, Local Responsibility: Sustainable Water Solutions with Waterkiosk Foundation

Description What does it take to deliver safe drinking water to communities where infrastructure is limited and traditional water systems don’t reach? In this episode, we explore the work of the Waterkiosk Foundation and its innovative approach to sustainable water access. Through decentralized water kiosks, the foundation combines solar-powered technology, community participation, and sustainable financing models to provide reliable clean water in rural villages, schools, healthcare facilities, and vulnerable communities. Instead of relying solely on aid, the Waterkiosk model creates locally managed water points that generate revenue for maintenance while remaining affordable for residents. In this episode, we discuss how the organization developed its unique social innovation model, the partnerships that make these projects possible, and the real-world impact on health, education, and economic development. We also examine the challenges of implementing water infrastructure in remote regions and how scalable, community-driven solutions can help address the global water crisis. Join us as we explore how simple technologies, strong partnerships, and sustainable thinking can transform access to one of the world’s most essential resources. Keywords Waterkiosk Foundation, clean water access, water kiosks, sustainable development, WASH, social innovation, water entrepreneurship, rural water supply, solar water systems, community water management, SDG 6, water sustainability, development innovation, nonprofit impact, global water crisis

#57 Wecyclers: Turning Trash into Cash in Lagos

Description What if cleaning up a city could also put money in people’s pockets? This episode explores the inspiring case of Wecyclers, a Lagos-based social enterprise that uses incentives to change behavior, create jobs, and build a circular economy in one of Africa’s largest megacities. Founded in 2012, Wecyclers was born out of Lagos’s dual crisis of unmanaged waste and urban poverty—and a simple but powerful idea: reward households for recycling. We trace how Wecyclers built a community-centered recycling system using low-cost cargo bikes, SMS and mobile technology, and a points-for-rewards program that allows residents to exchange recyclables for food, household goods, airtime, or cash. By embedding recycling into everyday life, Wecyclers reframed waste from a health hazard into a source of value. The episode examines: * How incentive-based recycling works in low-income urban communities * The business model behind “rewards-for-recycling” * Job creation and women’s participation in the recycling value chain * Partnerships with corporations and government to scale impact * The role of data, digital platforms, and innovation in informal cities We also discuss the challenges Wecyclers has faced—volatile recycling markets, logistics in a megacity, regulatory shifts—and how it continues to adapt as Lagos moves toward a circular and climate-resilient future. This case offers powerful lessons on behavior change, inclusive urban services, and how social enterprises can turn environmental problems into economic opportunities. Key words Wecyclers, Recycling in Lagos, Incentive-Based Recycling, Circular Economy, Urban Waste Management, Social Entrepreneurship in Africa, Waste-to-Wealth, Community Recycling, Climate Action, Green Jobs, Sustainable Cities, Behavior Change Innovation