Estifanos Betelihem & Friends Partnership is a vivid testament to how startups in developing countries can harness technology to address environmental issues in a practical way, while also generating broad social impact. Founded in 2022 in Ethiopia by two recent university graduates, Estifanos and Betelhem, this startup began with a simple idea: recycling plastic bottles to reduce waste and protect the urban environment. But from that modest concept, they gradually built a community-based recycling ecosystem, with technology at its core.
Starting with only 60,000 Birr (approximately USD 1,100) and a team of four, Estifanos Betelihem & Friends Partnership focused on collecting and recycling plastic bottles in Addis Ababa. In its first year, the startup processed 30 tons of plastic—a modest figure, but one that played a crucial role in piloting their model and validating the effectiveness of their small-scale sorting and recycling technology.
A major turning point came in 2023 when the startup secured a 5.5 million Birr loan from the Development Bank of Ethiopia. With this funding, they upgraded their technology, expanded their facilities, and increased processing capacity to 250 tons of plastic annually. More importantly, Estifanos Betelihem & Friends Partnership went beyond basic recycling and began converting used plastic into high-value products such as waterproof membranes and seedling bags, serving the growing demand for sustainable agriculture products locally. This strategic move not only addressed plastic waste but also contributed to promoting green farming—an emerging priority in Ethiopia and across many African nations.
Unlike many conventional recycling solutions that are energy-intensive and require advanced industrial infrastructure, the approach adopted by this startup is more flexible, easily replicable, and especially well-suited to the economic and technical conditions of developing countries. In addition to technological innovations, the founders placed strong emphasis on community engagement and education. Collaborating with local authorities and both domestic and international experts has not only enabled them to scale operations but also helped foster a culture of recycling in the areas where their projects are implemented. Their model of “local ownership” and “recycling for the benefit of the local community” is a key factor behind the strong support and long-term sustainability of Estifanos Betelihem & Friends Partnership.
Their success is not only measured by the tons of plastic recycled or the number of products manufactured but also by the job opportunities created for local people, the shift in consumer behavior, and the ripple effects within the community. Thanks to its sustainable development orientation, the project was included in the International Climate Initiative (ICI), signaling its global recognition beyond Ethiopia. At the P4G Summit in Vietnam in 2025, the startup showcased its technology at the startup exhibition area and attracted interest from several potential partners through investment networking activities.
The lesson from the journey of Estifanos Betelihem & Friends Partnership lies in the combination of innovation tailored to local conditions, effective use of available resources, and a long-term commitment to community. For young founders in developing countries, this is a model worth studying: begin with the most practical solution for your surrounding community, prioritize impact over appearances, and gradually build technology based on real growth capacity. With the right direction, even small steps can lead to significant change.
With a long-term vision and a commitment to positive change, Estifanos Betelihem & Friends Partnership has proven that even small startup initiatives can create significant change and have a strong impact on communities and the environment. Their success story is a testament to the power of innovation in addressing environmental challenges while opening up opportunities for sustainable economic development in developing regions.