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By Lenah Bosibori
Malindi, Kenya: At just 24 years old, Mariam Kupi is proving that entrepreneurship can be both impactful and innovative. Kupi is a student at Pwani University pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, a part-time software developer, and a graduate of Somo Africa’s entrepreneurial training program.
Kupi is proving that, at a young age, one can work and earn while making a difference. She is the founder of Dospan Investment, a social enterprise focused on plastic waste recycling. What started as a community-based organization (CBO) in 2022 has now grown into a thriving business that not only generates income but also empowers local communities.
From Community Initiative to Business Venture
Kupi’s journey into entrepreneurship began with a simple but powerful desire to address the plastic pollution crisis affecting her hometown of Malindi. Initially, she and her team collected plastic waste and supplied it to recyclers, operating solely as a community-driven initiative.
However, a turning point came when she joined Somo Africa, an organization that provides training and financial support to grassroots entrepreneurs. “Somo taught me how to manage a business, handle finances, and pitch my ideas,” she says. After completing three-month training, she entered a pitch competition and secured a Ksh 88,000 grant that to her was a crucial stepping stone.
“At that time, I had not officially launched my business or secured a storage space for the plastic waste I collected,” she recalls. “With the grant, I bought protective gear, rented a storage area and expanded operations. Somo was the first investor to believe in me when I had nothing.”
Her business gained further momentum in 2023 when she secured a Ksh 200,000 loan, which allowed her to scale up and expand her operations. Today, she deals with various types of waste, including plastic and aluminum foil, and has seen a great growth.
“When I started, I was collecting around 500 kilograms of plastic waste per month. By 2025 that number has grown to 12 tons per month” Kupi proudly shares.
Breaking Barriers and Leveraging Technology
Despite her success, Kupi faced significant challenges, mostly societal biases. “Recycling plastics was something associated with street boys and waste pickers. People were shocked to see a young Muslim woman in university stepping into this industry,” she says.
But through resilience and education, she has changed perceptions. “People now realize that plastic waste is a valuable resource. They collect it at home, and I buy it from them. It’s a win-win; they earn money, and we help protect the environment.”
Recognizing the need for efficiency in waste collection, Kupi developed the Resafi App, an innovative digital platform that connects waste pickers with recyclers.
“Last year, I came across a program at Somo Africa aimed at empowering entrepreneurs through digital skills. It was called the Powerland Project. Given my keen interest in digital skills, I decided to join. Over 16 weeks of training, I learned how to develop websites and mobile apps. Since plastic waste has always been a key focus for me, I wanted to create something that would streamline waste collection,” she explains.
“I then came up with the Resafi App where users can log in and request waste collection, waste pickers in different areas, the waste pickers then get notified through a text message, they then collect, weigh, and are paid for the waste instantly,” she adds.
The app has been especially beneficial for community-based organizations struggling with excess plastic waste. “Before, waste pickers had difficulty collecting large quantities, but now, they can plan ahead. It also dignifies waste collection, proving that it’s a legitimate business, not just for the marginalized,” she says.
A Global Platform for Change
Through Somo Africa’s support, Kupi has been exposed to global entrepreneurial opportunities. She participated in the U.S. Exchange Program’s Academy for Women Entrepreneurs, where she won another pitch competition. She also spoke at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit in Nairobi, where she engaged with international investors and change makers.
“Somo has given me a platform to be seen and heard,” she says. “They taught me how to pitch, which was something I never had the confidence to do before. Now, I’ve won multiple pitch competitions and received financial support from investors.”
Like many young entrepreneurs, Kupi faces financial hurdles. Expanding a recycling business requires costly equipment, including shredders and bailing machines, each costing hundreds of thousands of shillings. “The plastic industry has steps, you can’t go from collecting to molding final products overnight,” she explains. “You have to collect, sort, shred, wash, and process, which require significant investment.”
Despite these challenges, she remains determined. “I’m about to start shredding soon, thanks to a loan from Somo Africa. It’s a gradual process, but I’m committed to growing my business step by step.”
Beyond her business, Kupi is passionate about mentorship. As a mentor at Somo Africa, she now supports other budding entrepreneurs, just as she was once supported. “Somo lifted me up when I had nothing. Now, I want to do the same for others.”
Her journey exemplifies how a small idea, with the right support, can evolve into a powerful force for change. Through Dospan Investment and the Resafi App, Mariam Kupi is not just tackling plastic pollution, she is reshaping perceptions, creating economic opportunities, and proving that sustainable business models can thrive in Kenya and beyond.
