Over 2.5 million tonnes of plastic waste are generated in Nigeria yearly, but most of it leads to streets, waterways, and landfills. On the similar time, 1000’s of younger Nigerians stay underemployed, regardless of having the potential to thrive in tech and inventive industries. These two realities could seem unrelated, however for Feexet, they’re a part of the identical story.
Feexet is a Nigerian social enterprise utilizing design, know-how, and neighborhood organising to deal with on a regular basis challenges that always go missed. Whether or not it’s waste air pollution or lack of entry to digital training, the group believes that with the appropriate instruments, people and communities can take the lead in fixing their challenges.
Over time, that mission has taken form by way of initiatives that mix motion with accountability. Amongst them, two have stood out. One tackles the problem of city waste and environmental neglect. The opposite invests in younger folks by way of free, sensible tech training.
CleanSweep: From road corners to a city-wide motion
The CleanSweep Venture is considered one of Feexet’s most seen efforts. On the floor, it appears to be like like a neighbourhood clean-up drive. However spend a couple of minutes talking with the group or attending one of many clean-ups, and also you’ll realise it’s far more than that.
At its core, CleanSweep is about community-led environmental accountability. Folks report polluted areas. Gutters choked with waste. Unlawful dumping websites. Locations nobody needs to assert. Then, Feexet mobilises. Volunteers present up. Instruments are handed out. Plastics are sorted, bagged, and weighed. And slowly, issues change.
To this point, CleanSweep has cleared over 2,000 kg of waste throughout a number of communities in Abuja and past. And that’s just the start.
As extra stories began coming in, the group realised they wanted a greater strategy to handle and scale the work. In order that they constructed the CleanSweep App, a instrument that lets folks report polluted areas, join as volunteers, observe clean-up occasions, and even earn rewards.
“We needed to create one thing that doesn’t simply organise clean-ups, however really builds a tradition of possession round public areas,” says Christopher Balogun, considered one of Feexet’s co-founders. “The app helps us coordinate higher, however it’s additionally about recognising individuals who present up many times. So we created a volunteer leaderboard and a small reward system. It really works.”
The app not too long ago went reside on the Google Play Retailer, and the group encourages anybody who needs to assist or simply see what’s occurring close by to obtain it.
Techquity: Coaching the subsequent technology of tech expertise
Whereas CleanSweep tackles sustainability on the bottom, Feexet’s Techquity programme takes a unique method, specializing in sensible studying experiences for younger folks throughout digital fields.
Launched in 2023, Techquity started as an experiment. Might a grassroots design and coding bootcamp assist shut the entry hole for younger Nigerians who needed to interrupt into tech? The reply, it seems, was sure.
The primary cohort, Techquity 1.0, skilled over 120 contributors, specializing in UI/UX design, net growth, and digital communication. A number of alumni have gone on to safe full-time roles, whereas others now freelance or intern with Feexet, constructing on the momentum they gained.
Now, Techquity 2.0 is in full swing. With greater than 200 contributors enrolled from throughout Nigeria, periods are held 3 times every week, combining reside instruction, peer collaboration, and mentorship.
It’s not nearly abilities. It’s about confidence. Group.
And, maybe extra importantly, it’s about decentralising entry to tech alternatives. It ensures that innovation isn’t restricted to particular cities or networks however reaches each keen learner with a smartphone and drive.
A special form of enterprise
Feexet additionally describes itself as a “digital service company,” however that hardly scratches the floor. Sure, they’ve designed over 150 web sites, launched a number of cell and net apps, and run digital campaigns for shoppers in numerous sectors. However the twist is within the mannequin. They reinvest their earnings into neighborhood impression initiatives like CleanSweep and Techquity.
“We’re nonetheless figuring it out,” Christopher provides. “There’s no good roadmap for this. However we all know we wish to preserve doing work that issues. And preserve exhibiting that small, intentional groups can nonetheless do large issues.”
They might not declare to have all of the solutions. However when you’re on the lookout for proof that know-how, neighborhood, and accountability can combine and result in tangible change, Feexet is an effective place to begin watching.
