Question 1

We are going to terraform the Niger River Basin like Starship Captains

Accepted Answer

The power technology exisits - solar panels to power individual, extremely well made, durable and long lasting irrigation pumps, indivudal and area lights, tablets which contain video classes and power to charge mobile phones, to exchage emails and transfer funds.
 
And data collection from the field - photos, soil samples, crop data - all are uploaded, reviewed remotely and we pivot to increase the yield.  
 
Our 'away teams' are on the ground and will be at the side of the villagers from day one.

Question 2

What is a B Corporation and what are the advantages?

Accepted Answer

If we only operate as a non-profit, which is dependent solely on donations, we are sustainable only as long as we can raise donations.  With the B-corp, or soical Benefit Corporation, we can earn income and share profits with our local partners and the people who devote their time and energy to getting all of this off the ground.   And pay back our investors.

Question 3

How will you become sustainable and make money - Mali and Niger are some of the poorest countries in the world?

Accepted Answer

By producing items here, like the superfood moringa - and other items, for export and for local sales.  Moringa already grows here, just as yet not widespread.  There are a number of other products as well - shea butter, widely used as a cosmetic cream, is from this region of Africa.  Tradtional medicinces, other food stuffs, all organic - East Africa exports roses, coffee comes to the developed world from developing countries -  we just specialeze in items which can be grown along the river -  we have sun, soil, water and a population eager for change.

Question 4

The plan is to manufacture transformational devices in Mali and Niger and then give them away to the population?

Accepted Answer

No, one of the issues with assistance is the idea of donations alone are the answer to the region, or Africa's, problems.   With our local staff leading, we will first go into a village and work out a memorandum of agreement, with all of the stakeholders - the women's collective, the traditional leaders, the local government (mayors and related) leaders, etc.   We will then provide the seeds, the irrigation equipment, the training (including tablets with videos with actors in the local languages demonstrating best agricultural practices), the solar cooking and lighting, etc.  These will be advanced on credit and when the village starts producing, a portion of the earnings will pay down this debt.  Once the cost of the initial equipment has been recouped, the villages will own and operate their own system of production.

Question 5

Where will your headquarters be located?

Accepted Answer

We will have a main facility in Niamey, Niger - the capital.  This will house the production facility, taking the raw materials for processing, packaging and export - the laboratory where we will develop new products, the base from where our teams deploy and everything else,

Question 6

Where and how will you source your products and materials?

Accepted Answer

China remains the primary source for clean-tech and green-tech materials - Mark Bent has worked with Jeff Finger, our CTO, for over 15 years and Jeff is also with the American led firm below - 
 
Sino Regent Group has over 40 years of China sourcing and manufacturing expertise.  Since opening their first joint venture factory in Hong Kong in 1976, and in China in 1986, Sino Regent  has leveraged their experience and established relationships to source more efficiently, with minimal delays and maximum savings.  With offices in Hong Kong & China, Sino Regent’s seasoned international management team and project management experience can put their network of manufacturing partners to work for you.  www.sinoregent.com

Help Stop

The War

in Mali and Niger