Why does i+m invest in a social enterprise in Kenya?
We help where we can make the biggest difference.
i+m donates at least 25 % of its profits to eco-social projects worldwide. We also invest in social enterprises that are committed to social change, just like we are, and can sustain themselves in the long term – such as the Kenyan social business MWINGI. It strengthens women’s economic participation, improves access to everyday goods and supports supply in rural regions.
i+m Supports a Kenyan Impact Start-up
MWINGI is a social business founded in Kenya in 2019 – a social enterprise that operates economically while pursuing social impact. Working with local entrepreneurs, MWINGI supports supply in rural regions of Kenya and other East African countries by building a network of local shops and organizing shared supply chains. Its franchise model creates new income opportunities, especially for women.
More than 200 franchise shops have already been established. The aim is to reach around 2,000 within the next five years.
Why is i+m Naturkosmetik investing in MWINGI?
i+m Naturkosmetik is committed to ecological sustainability and social justice worldwide. That’s why we donate at least 25 % of our profits to eco-social projects. At the same time, we believe in the power of entrepreneurial solutions.
Impact-driven companies such as MWINGI can be particularly effective in certain contexts and help initiate long-term change – for example where economic participation, fair value creation and stable local structures are concerned. Unlike traditional aid projects, they are designed to be self-sustaining in the long term.
That’s why i+m is among MWINGI’s early investors and has invested €150,000 to date. We also support the team with entrepreneurial expertise from our collaborations in East Africa.
Mission & Vision of MWINGI
In many sparsely populated regions of Kenya, everyday products are difficult to access. High transport costs, long distances and fragile supply chains make reliable supply challenging. This is where MWINGI comes in: with a decentralised distribution network and digitally managed logistics, the social enterprise supports local retailers and brings goods to where they are needed.
The vision is a comprehensive network of independent, locally run sales outlets – creating reliable access to quality products and greater economic stability at the local level.
A particular focus lies on supporting female entrepreneurs. Many women in Kenya bear primary responsibility for their families, yet have limited access to capital. MWINGI supports them in setting up their own businesses. Around 95 % of franchise partners are women.
Independently Confirmed: High Social Impact
The independent research organisation 60 Decibels also confirms that MWINGI strengthens economic participation in a sustainable, bottom-up way. In its impact scoring, MWINGI is rated as “above average in effectiveness”.
The survey indicates that customers of the franchise shops benefit from more reliable access to goods, fair pricing and lower transport costs.
The impact is particularly evident among shop owners: the predominantly female entrepreneurs report greater financial independence, more decision-making autonomy and measurably improved income security and stability.
