Unique Quality Product Enterprise

The new SEED case study series 2018 showcases how innoative eco-inclusive start-up enterprises in Africa shape sustainable development on the ground. The individual case studies are enhanced with short multimedia features that showcase the innovation, the partnership, the support from SEED and the overall impact of each enterprise.

This case study presents Unique Quality Product Enterprise (UQE) is an eco-inclusive enterprise located in Tamale in northern Ghana, which contributes to growing and processing Fonio, a climate resistant crop, while fostering gender equality at the same time. Its business model is based on a market-leading approach to promote the production and processing of the cereal grain fonio. Fonio was once a major food crop across West Africa and is known for is nutritional value, taste and adaptability to local climate and soil conditions. However, the introduction of rice and other cereal crops largely replaced fonio. UQE believes in fonio’s commercial potential and identified community members who were still growing the crop for local consumption. The enterprise engaged with local landholders and wider communities to gain access to infertile, unused land for women farmers. The enterprise established a partnership with a local women’s association to support its activities by employing the women members to process raw fonio. 

Further publications of the 2018 Case Study Series:

• Belle Verte - Creating sustainable communities in Mauritius through a closed-loop waste management system (Februar 2018)
• WASHking - Upgrading sanitation in low-income urban households in Ghana (Februar 2018)
• YICE Uganda - Improving access to training, funding and markets for rural farmers (Februar 2018)
• Sahelia Solar - Increasing clean and affordable energy access in rural areas in Burkina Faso (Februar 2018)
• Safi Organics - Empowering smallholder farmers in Kenya through an agricultural circular economy (Februar 2018)