In Kampala, Uganda, there are currently more than 100,000 unlicensed street vendors working in unsafe conditions and with uncertain business prospects. Musana Carts are street vending carts that are solar powered, equipped with access to electricity and an upgraded cook stove, and save three tons of carbon emissions per year. Along with the cart itself, Musana Cart vendors receive a business license, a three-year insurance plan, and training on financial literacy and WASH. This will allow Musana Cart vendors to conduct legal business without fear of arrest and ensure sustainability through increased education and business fundamentals.

Musana Carts is the first for-profit organization to work with law enforcement agencies to regulate street vendors in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. It is one of the first organizations to use solar panels as an economic tool for informal workers in Africa. They believe Musana Carts can empower informal entrepreneurs across Africa to earn a better income through legal channels, which can improve their livelihoods and break the cycle of poverty.

Under the Amplify program, Musana Carts has developed a franchise package that sets standards and provides value-added services to street cart owners who want to increase their sales.