On a global scale, the building sector accounts for 36% of CO2 emissions linked to energy use and that’s what makes it crucial to enact strong decarbonization efforts to fulfill the objectives of the Paris Agreement. To achieve net-zero targets by 2050, direct CO2 emissions from buildings must be reduced by half by 2030.
This need for decarbonization is particularly urgent in African countries, where climate change is accelerating urbanization. While African nations have historically demonstrated strong adaptability, the frequency and severity of weather-related disasters have increased in recent years. Rising temperatures are making cities hotter, and many African urban areas are at risk due to sea-level rise, which could lead to periodic flooding. Extreme weather events like droughts are pushing rural farmers into cities, while repeated floods are displacing poor communities and low-income urban residents. These shifts can lead to economic instability, political unrest and even conflict.
In response to these challenges, E4Impact, in partnership with The Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), proposed a green buildings project to the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. A project whose implementation was meant to be in Uganda, where the Government, with the GGGI’s support, has been carrying out the Green Secondary Cities Development Program since 2017 across 25 secondary cities that lack adequate infrastructure and employment opportunities.
The “Business for Green Impact” (BGI) project aims to create business opportunities, jobs, and better living conditions through sustainable urban planning, which in turn supports economic growth, peace, political stability, and social development, ultimately fostering peaceful, stable, and resilient societies. The project is built on the idea that green buildings, which adhere to sustainable standards, optimize water and energy use, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and improve indoor air quality, directly contribute to better living conditions and health outcomes for both urban residents and industrial workers.
Launched in December 2022 and concluded in June 2024, this initiative aimed to improve the entrepreneurial ecosystem, business practices, and policies to advance green building development in Soroti, a secondary city of Uganda, where a green urbanization and industrialization effort is already in progress. By focusing on secondary cities, the project promotes a more balanced development across the Country, helping to reduce regional disparities and mitigate the risk of conflict.
Innovative solutions and bold entrepreneurship are crucial for addressing the challenges posed by green building initiatives. By creating business and employment opportunities for Africa’s youth, it is possible to foster a more prosperous future.
For this reason, as part of this project, E4Impact selected 25 entrepreneurs and SMEs in the green building sector in the Soroti district, offering them comprehensive training and coaching. The Foundation provided support to these businesses focusing on key areas including business model design, business processes, financial management, fundraising, investment readiness, marketing, and legal compliance. At the conclusion of the program, the entrepreneurs had the opportunity to showcase their businesses to potential investors at a pitch event.
One standout example from the BGI project that embodies this spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship is Augustine Oluga, Director of Leni Consults Ltd, a company operating in the renewable energy sector. By providing biodigesters to green building developers, Leni Consults contributes significantly to addressing the pressing issue of waste management in the Country, where only about 40% of waste in urban areas is collected, and much of it ends up in unsanitary landfills or is openly. These cost-effective technologies convert human, animal, and kitchen waste into biogas, offering a sustainable solution for waste disposal while generating renewable energy. In doing so, the business also helps reduce deforestation, supplies clean cooking fuel, and produces valuable bio-slurry for agricultural use.
Another participant in the BGI program tackling Uganda’s waste management challenges is Appropriate Energy Saving Technologies (AEST), founded and led by Betty Ikalany. The company transforms agricultural waste into charcoal briquettes, providing a sustainable fuel alternative for communities, while also recycling plastic waste: this dual approach offers an effective solution to the waste problem in urban areas.
AEST Ltd repurposes agricultural and city waste to produce fuel, while converting unwanted plastic waste into durable, eco-friendly compound pavers. In addition to addressing the city’s solid waste issues, the company offers a timber alternative, helping to preserve forests.
Another notable example from the BGI project is Isa Kamuhangire, director of Bamusalim Services Limited, addressing the severe housing shortage in Uganda. This shortage has led to overcrowding, informal settlements, and slum development, with urban residents spending over 50% of their income on rent, resulting in widespread rental poverty. Bamusalim Services Ltd offers a sustainable solution by building affordable, climate-smart homes for low-income families. They use interlocking stabilized soil blocks (ISSB), which are motor-less and reduce construction costs by up to 30%.
The company has built 56 climate-smart homes, helping customers save significantly on their construction budgets. Their green approach includes not burning bricks—curing blocks with water instead—and using recycled materials. The company has improved housing for 32 families, engaging community members in the value chain while reducing carbon emissions.
Augustine Oluga, Betty Ikalany and Isa Kamuhangire reported selecting the BGI program for similar reasons: to enhance their business development skills, expand their networks, and forge valuable partnerships, while also focusing on the opportunities that may follow the program. During the training, they successfully developed key funding documentation, such as business plans, pitch decks, and other essential investment materials.
About the program, Betty affirmed: “This program has been very beneficial because we’ve learned a lot and there has been extensive knowledge sharing. They brought in experts who guided us through the entire program from start to finish. It has given us the opportunity to re-strategize and see how we can grow our businesses. It has also provided us with the chance to meet potential funders or investors that we might not have been able to connect with if we were in our districts or areas where our factories are located. We thank God for this, and I believe that everyone has gained a lot from the experience.”
The project has yielded highly positive outcomes, with participants expressing satisfaction and many reporting tangible, positive impacts on their businesses. The main achievements of the program include the creation of new jobs, increased entrepreneurial skills, increased awareness and knowledge regarding measures to tackle climate change (energy efficiency, renewable energy use, sustainable land management, eco-friendly transportation, and waste recovery), improved access to markets, and enhanced bookkeeping practices.
At the end of the project, in partnership with the GGGI, E4Impact conducted a final evaluation to assess the results achieved and the impact of the initiative. The findings, gathered through both quantitative and qualitative analyses, were very encouraging. We were particularly pleased to see that 78% of participants reported a significant improvement in their entrepreneurial skills, 67% experienced growth in their business turnover, and each entrepreneur, on average, created 8.5 new jobs.
Another key milestone of the project is the formation of the Teso Region Green Building Consortium, an initiative created spontaneously by the BGI participants, aimed at tackling environmental and social challenges such as high energy consumption and water scarcity. Made up of 25 MSMEs, the consortium has appointed a team of five executives to manage operations and ensure both accountability and long-term sustainability. This accomplishment highlights the enterprises’ commitment to collaboration and business improvement, extending their efforts even after the project’s completion and enforcing project’s sustainability.
Moreover, the impact of the project will endure beyond its formal conclusion, thanks to continued awareness campaigns and collaboration with local authorities to advocate for policy changes. Additionally, several participants have been awarded scholarships to join the MBA in Global Entrepreneurship, offered by E4Impact in partnership with Uganda Martyrs University.
In conclusion, the “Business for Green Impact” project has not only demonstrated the potential for green building initiatives to address pressing environmental and social challenges but has also showcased the power of entrepreneurship in driving sustainable development. Satisfied with the results achieved, we wish the participating enterprises continued success as they expand their positive impact on their communities and strengthen collaborations to build a more sustainable and inclusive future.
Chiara Rigoldi