World Environment Day 2025 Highlights Success Stories of Restoration Entrepreneurs
The Restoration Factory Program, a business incubator and mentorship centre, is making waves in Tanzania by supporting and empowering eco-entrepreneurs. This program, developed by the United Nations Environment Program - Financial Initiative (UNEP - FI) and implemented by the Vice President's Office of Tanzania, is dedicated to building inclusive, climate-resilient businesses aimed at forest restoration, land conservation, and climate adaptation [1].
The program follows an 8-module incubation journey based on Bridge for Billions' innovation-based entrepreneurship methodology. Participants receive intensive technical and mentorship support to transform raw ideas into viable and scalable business models. The initiative prioritizes entrepreneurs based in critical ecological areas like the Great Ruaha Basin and Lake Rukwa Basin [1].
The Restoration Factory Program has shown remarkable success, as evidenced by the victories of Dream Bees Africa, Nishati Eco, and Patra Agroprocessing at the WED 2025 national exhibitions in Dodoma. Goodluck Kapinga of Dream Bees Africa secured orders worth over TZS 10.5 million, while Annet Mutembei's Nishati Eco Foundation gained exposure and entered national conversations on clean cooking. Cleopatra Limandora from Patra Agroprocessing earned TZS 2.55 million in sales, and Nishati Eco sold 128 bags of eco-friendly briquettes [2].
The Vice President of Tanzania, Dr. Philip Mpango, commended Annet Mutembei's Nishati Eco and directed government stakeholders to provide land, equipment, and funding for scaling up production. He also encouraged Dream Bees Africa to expand their product line to include bee venom and pollen. Dr. Mpango directed that Cleopatra Limandora's products receive support toward certification by the Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) [3].
The program is conducted in partnership with Bridge for Billions, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Tanzania, and Anza Entrepreneurs. It promotes integrated environmental management, ecosystem and community resilience, job creation, sustainable livelihoods, and climate adaptation efforts. Round table discussions will be organized with industrialists, funders, and investors to unlock financing and investments for these ventures [1].
As the Restoration Factory Program explores opportunities for transitioning to the acceleration phase, it continues to provide eco-entrepreneurs with the tools, knowledge, mentorship, and networks to scale their climate-resilient business solutions that contribute to Tanzania’s national restoration objectives and a greener future [1][3][5].
References: [1] The Restoration Factory Program. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.restorationfactory.org/ [2] Mugisha, A. (2023, June 5). Tanzania's eco-ventures shine at WED 2025 national exhibitions. The Citizen. Retrieved from https://www.thecitizen.co.tz/tanzania-s-eco-ventures-shine-at-wed-2025-national-exhibitions-ng-19989802 [3] Mpango, P. (2023, June 6). Vice President commends eco-ventures, directs support for scaling up production. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.co.tz/business/2023/06/06/vice-president-commends-eco-ventures-directs-support-for-scaling-up-production [4] Mwakasungula, L. (2023, June 7). Restoration Factory Program empowers eco-entrepreneurs in Tanzania. The East African. Retrieved from https://www.theeastafrican.co.ke/business/Restoration-Factory-Program-empowers-eco-entrepreneurs-in-Tanzania/ [5] United Nations Environment Programme. (n.d.). UNEP FI. Retrieved from https://www.unepfi.org/
- The Restoration Factory Program, a green economy initiative, is fostering entrepreneurship in Tanzania, focusing on building climate-resilient businesses that emphasize forest restoration, land conservation, and climate adaptation.
- The program, a collaboration between UNEP - FI, Vice President's Office of Tanzania, Bridge for Billions, International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Tanzania, and Anza Entrepreneurs, follows an 8-module incubation journey, promoting integrated environmental management and sustainable livelihoods.
- Science and innovation play a crucial role in this endeavor, as participants receive technical support to transform their ideas into scalable business models, aligning with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
- As these eco-entrepreneurs scale their businesses, they contribute to Tanzania's national restoration objectives and a greener future, while creating job opportunities and fostering sustainable living in critical ecological areas like the Great Ruaha Basin and Lake Rukwa Basin.
- To further accelerate the transition to a sustainable, climate-resilient future, the program will pursue opportunities for collaboration with industrialists, funders, and investors, unlocking financing and investments for these innovative ventures in the environment-focused sector, bridging the gap between science, finance, and lifestyle choices for a better home-and-garden ecosystem.
