Olufunto Boroffice mit ihrem Unternehmen Chanja Datti war eine der Gewinnerinnen des ACT NOW Awards 2023. Wir haben sie als beeindruckende Persönlichkeit und engagierte Unternehmerin bei einem Besuch in Deutschland kennengelernt. Hier ein Interview
Welcome Olufunto. Please give us a short overview of your business work an experience. Thank you!
Introduction
- Who are you?
- What is your professional background?
I am the founder and CEO of Chanja Datti Ltd, which is a waste collection and recycling business based in Abuja, Nigeria. Prior to this, I lived in the US for over 17 years and worked with General Electric Capital for 12 years, where I rose to the position of Vice President before I founded Chanja Datti Recycling Limited. I have over 20 years in business and over 9 years’ experience in the recycling & circular economy sector.
I am a problem solver, passionate advocate of environmental sustainability and waste management.
I am also the founding member and former National Vice President of the Recycling Association of Nigeria (RAN), Convener of Initiative for the Advancement of Waste Management in Africa (aka W.A.S.T.E Africa),
an NGO that seeks to provide innovative solutions and strong advocacy for a sustainable ecosystem of solid waste management in Nigeria and the African Continent,
a Fellow of the Waste Management Society of Nigeria,
Member of the International Solid Waste Association and an alumni of the several prestigious local and international programs and sits on several boards.
I was recognized in 2021 by Global Citizen.org as one of 11 Change-making Africans that the world needs to know about, recognized by CNBC Rising Woman Africa series as one of 31 African women leaders in 2021 and winner of the 2021 WE Empower UN SDG Challenge and in 2023 Chanja Datti came 1st runner up in the just concluded AfriPlastics Challenge.
I have a BSc in Accounting from Northeastern University, MA USA and a MSc in Financial Management from Pace University, NY USA.
- Discovery of Managers without Borders
- How did you first get to know about Managers without Borders?
I got to know about Managers without Borders in 2023 when I applied for the ACT Now award. I was fortunate enough that we won the Impact Champion award and that has allowed us to get to know Manager without Borders a lot more.
- Starting Your Project:
- What made you start your project?
- What's the story and reason behind your project?
I always see myself as a problem solver, so I am always drawn towards solving the world's most pressing challenges, especially using the SDGs as a blueprint. One of such problems I have been focused on fixing is on Climate Action, Gender Equality, Economic Growth and No Poverty. I was inspired to start this social enterprise due to the poor waste management system in Nigeria, which was causing significant environmental degradation and posing severe health hazards. The high level of indiscriminate disposal of waste and the low employment rate, especially for women and youths, further motivated me to set up a system that could help manage waste properly and provide employment for people.
Realizing the adverse effects plastic waste was causing to our environment and biodiversity, I saw an opportunity to protect the environment by starting a social enterprise that would recycle plastic waste into high-quality semi-raw materials that would be sold to manufacturers. This innovative approach to waste management would help meet the high demand for these materials while providing sustainable jobs and a cleaner environment.
My vision is to create a social enterprise that could address multiple challenges in Nigeria, including waste management, unemployment, and environmental degradation. By leveraging technology and building a scalable business model, our social enterprise has the potential to make a significant impact in Nigeria and beyond.
What successes have already been achieved during the cooperation?
- What future goals do you hope to achieve?
Our social enterprise has demonstrated a significant impact since its inception, especially in the area of empowering women and youths with green jobs.
Through our Women Recyclers Empowerment Initiative (WREI), we have empowered over 850 women and youths with green jobs, providing them with opportunities to support their families and build sustainable livelihoods.
In addition to providing green jobs, we have also supported the enrollment of 1000+ children in school through our Bottles for Books initiative. This initiative encourages households to recycle their waste in exchange for school supplies, such as textbooks, exercise books, and writing materials.
Moreover, we currently employ over 85 full-time staff members in Abuja, Akure and Lagos, providing them with decent work and opportunities for career growth.
Our impact can be verified through the number of beneficiaries we have supported directly and indirectly through our initiatives. We can provide accessible links to relevant documents that provide evidence of our impact upon request during the application process.
Our future goals include building the first Bottle to Bottle rPET plant in Nigeria. This allows us to create more jobs but also mop up plastic waste in the country.
- Project Hurdles:
- What obstacles have you already encountered during the project?
During the implementation of various projects, I have encountered several challenges. One significant obstacle has been the issue of gender inclusion, highlighting the complexities associated with ensuring equal participation and benefits for both men and women. Achieving a balance in gender representation and addressing specific needs and concerns of women have been ongoing challenges.
Another challenge has been the implementation of an effective collection network. Building and sustaining a network that efficiently collects plastic waste from diverse sources, including households, businesses, and public spaces, requires overcoming logistical and operational hurdles. This involves coordination with various stakeholders, including waste management agencies, community organizations, and recycling cooperatives.
Sourcing funds for plastic recycling projects has also posed a challenge. Financial constraints can impede the scale and impact of recycling initiatives. Securing adequate funding is crucial for the successful execution of recycling projects, from establishing collection points to operating recycling facilities.
These challenges underscore the importance of continuous adaptation and innovative problem-solving to navigate the complexities of sustainable waste management projects.
- Working Together:
- What do you see as the opportunities in Western and non-Western cooperation?
The opportunities in Western and non-Western cooperation are vast and can contribute to holistic global development. Some key opportunities include:
>Knowledge Transfer and Technology Exchange: Western countries often have advanced technologies, research, and innovation. Cooperation can facilitate the transfer of knowledge and technology to non-Western countries, fostering development and sustainability.
>Economic Growth and Trade: Collaboration can open up avenues for economic growth through trade agreements and investments. Non-Western countries can benefit from access to Western markets, while Western countries can tap into emerging markets for new opportunities.
>Environmental Sustainability: Collaborative efforts are crucial for addressing global challenges like climate change and environmental degradation. Joint initiatives can promote sustainable practices and the sharing of resources for a healthier planet.
>Capacity Building: Western-non-Western cooperation can involve capacity-building programs, empowering individuals and communities in non-Western regions. This includes education, skill development, and support for local initiatives.
>Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Collaboration can spur innovation and entrepreneurship. Joint ventures and partnerships between Western and non-Western entities can lead to the development of groundbreaking solutions and business opportunities.