A Nairobi-based glass recycling company has rapidly expanded over the past five years, growing its workforce from 60 to 140 employees and reaching an annual revenue of $800,000. Its growth was supported by a $36,000 grant from the World Bank-funded Kenya Youth Employment and Opportunities Project (KYEOP), which, through the MbeleNaBiz initiative, has helped 750 young entrepreneurs build businesses and create more than 3,000 direct jobs across Kenya.
The company was founded by Louisa Gathecha, who identified the opportunity while working across East and Central Africa and observing the vast amounts of discarded glass. In 2020, shortly after becoming a mother and seeking more stability, she transitioned from employment to entrepreneurship. Winning the MbeleNaBiz grant allowed her to scale up her business, Bottles Logistics EA Ltd, at a pivotal moment.
The pandemic forced Louisa to rethink her business model when glass manufacturers shut down. However, rising home alcohol consumption created a new supply of empty bottles, and local distillers and bottlers became her primary clients. Reusable bottles now make up 80 percent of her operations. With improved semi-automated washing systems, the company increased its processing capacity from 720,000 to 1.2 million bottles per month. Damaged bottles are crushed and processed into refined cullet, enabling manufacturers to produce new glass more cheaply and sustainably.
The company now produces 300 tons of refined glass cullet monthly, up from 80 tons during COVID. This expansion supports Kenya’s recycling needs while reducing emissions and diverting waste from landfills. Louisa’s operation has not only tripled its revenue but also significantly increased employment opportunities, particularly for women, who make up 76 percent of her workforce. Many employees come from low-income communities and earn daily wages aligned with Kenya’s legal minimum. Workers also have opportunities for advancement, as seen in cases like Tabby Njeri, who progressed from bottle washing to quality control.
Louisa has opened a second plant in Nakuru, further expanding job opportunities. Despite the broader youth unemployment crisis in Kenya, her journey shows that entrepreneurship can provide meaningful alternatives. She emphasizes resilience, identifying opportunities, and seeking support from business development programs. Guidance provided through KYEOP, including export advice and tax incentives, proved valuable in scaling her business and navigating challenges in a male-dominated industry.
MbeleNaBiz, one of KYEOP’s four interventions, supported high-potential entrepreneurs across diverse sectors, enabling many to innovate and expand their workforce. Overall, KYEOP empowered 145,000 youths, improved employment outcomes for 87 percent of participants, created 30,000 indirect jobs, and boosted earnings substantially. Its success laid the groundwork for the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) project, which aims to expand youth employment initiatives across all 47 counties in Kenya.
