11.5 Current Trends: Green Ideas, Innovations and Businesses in Africa
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shelters have a large roof that protects the container from sunlight while the gap
provides ventilation and minimizes heat gain. Windows on each side also act as
cross ventilation. In addition, the stepped seating provides space for children to
consume lunch and serves as an amphitheater for assemblies. The school has also
erected a Green wall that acts as a vegetable garden.
How can Africa embrace such buildings in school environments?
11.5.1.3 Eastgate Centre, Zimbabwe
Similarly, the Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, is mainly made of concrete
and has a ventilation system that functions in the same way as the mounds
created by African termites. Similar to biomimicry, it is inspired by the indigenous
Zimbabwean masonry. Despite lacking conventional heating or air conditioning, it is
regulated for the whole year, thus minimizing the consumption of energy. Compared
to a conventional building with a similar size, it uses 10% of energy (Udoma 2014).
The building’s owners have saved at least $3.5 million due to the deployment of
natural ventilation. These benefits also trickle down to tenants who pay 20% less
rent compared to occupants within the surrounding houses (Udoma 2014) (refer to
Case Study 1.1).
What impedes Africa from constructing buildings like the Eastgate Centre in
Harare?
11.5.2 Green Companies and Other Green Ideas in Africa
11.5.2.1 Ndume Limited, Kenya
Ndume Limited is a large Green entrepreneurship company in Kenya that offers
specialized inputs. These inputs are required for conservation agriculture, which
is an approach for sustainably increasing agricultural yields with methods that
conserve rainwater and soil nutrients, while simultaneously minimizing the costs of
production. In addition, a Dutch Organization, Ubbink, has erected a solar module
manufacturing organization within Naivasha, Kenya. It is the first of its kind in East
Africa, and solar modules are manufactured basing on reworked quality cells.
Similarly, Solar Sister in Uganda was created to empower women by giving them
economic opportunities (SEED Case Studies 2011). The role of these women is to
distribute clean energy products, including household solar kits as well as clean
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shelters have a large roof that protects the container from sunlight while the gap
provides ventilation and minimizes heat gain. Windows on each side also act as
cross ventilation. In addition, the stepped seating provides space for children to
consume lunch and serves as an amphitheater for assemblies. The school has also
erected a Green wall that acts as a vegetable garden.
How can Africa embrace such buildings in school environments?
11.5.1.3 Eastgate Centre, Zimbabwe
Similarly, the Eastgate Centre in Harare, Zimbabwe, is mainly made of concrete
and has a ventilation system that functions in the same way as the mounds
created by African termites. Similar to biomimicry, it is inspired by the indigenous
Zimbabwean masonry. Despite lacking conventional heating or air conditioning, it is
regulated for the whole year, thus minimizing the consumption of energy. Compared
to a conventional building with a similar size, it uses 10% of energy (Udoma 2014).
The building’s owners have saved at least $3.5 million due to the deployment of
natural ventilation. These benefits also trickle down to tenants who pay 20% less
rent compared to occupants within the surrounding houses (Udoma 2014) (refer to
Case Study 1.1).
What impedes Africa from constructing buildings like the Eastgate Centre in
Harare?
11.5.2 Green Companies and Other Green Ideas in Africa
11.5.2.1 Ndume Limited, Kenya
Ndume Limited is a large Green entrepreneurship company in Kenya that offers
specialized inputs. These inputs are required for conservation agriculture, which
is an approach for sustainably increasing agricultural yields with methods that
conserve rainwater and soil nutrients, while simultaneously minimizing the costs of
production. In addition, a Dutch Organization, Ubbink, has erected a solar module
manufacturing organization within Naivasha, Kenya. It is the first of its kind in East
Africa, and solar modules are manufactured basing on reworked quality cells.
Similarly, Solar Sister in Uganda was created to empower women by giving them
economic opportunities (SEED Case Studies 2011). The role of these women is to
distribute clean energy products, including household solar kits as well as clean