How to create a successful circular hub for electronics that holistically integrates social and commercial aspects into the model?

In this episode, we speak with Timothy Washira, Operations Manager at Close the Gap's Circular Economy Hub in Mombasa, Kenya.

Close the Gap first started in Belgium in 2003 with the mission to provide high-quality pre-owned computers and bridge the digital divide. The organization started its first operations in Kenya in 2019 in Nairobi, before moving the Circular Economy Hub to a bigger, state-of-the-art facility in Mombasa in 2020.

The Circular Economy Hub is the logistics backbone for Close the Gap in Kenya. Its focus is on IT Asset Disposition which involves collecting used IT devices from corporate partners in Kenya, conducting data wipe processes; refurbishing or recycling the devices, and deploying the pre-owned high quality devices to impact projects.

Timothy talks about how Close the Gap is driving socio-economic transformation through for example, its incubator space and the BOOST program.

Listen to hear how Close the Gap integrates commercial success with social impact, creating jobs, promoting the circular economy, and empowering over 6 million people with access to technology and skills.

People

Ian Kiptoo, Operations Manager at Close the Gap

Patrick Hypscher, Circular Business Strategist, PaaS Expert

Chapters

About

This cutting-edge facility specialises in IT Asset Disposition (ITAD), collecting used corporate IT equipment, conducting data wiping, and refurbishing devices that is then deployed to bridge the digital divide in local impact projects, such as schools and youth correctional facilities. Beyond hardware, Close the Gap Kenya drives socio-economic transformation through its BOOST+ program, which supports young entrepreneurs and women along the Kenyan coastline with training in digital skills, financial literacy, and business management, and by deploying the Impact Accelerator Fund (IAF) to provide strategic capital and mentorship to innovative startups in sectors like the circular economy and green tech, directly contributing to job creation and boosting the local economy.

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