Creating Lasting Impact
Our business model delivers measurable outcomes across economic empowerment, social development, and environmental conservation — reaching 15,000+ collectors across 9 ASAL counties.
Transforming Rural Livelihoods
We create sustainable income opportunities for over 15,000 collectors in Kenya's most marginalized regions, ensuring fair compensation and financial inclusion through instant mobile money payments.
Through our Revolving Fund bonus program, top-performing collectors receive life-changing annual rewards. Every kilogram collected contributes to both immediate income and year-end bonuses that have transformed livelihoods across our communities.
The Revolving Fund:
Your Success is Our Success
We believe in rewarding the hard work of our collectors. For every kilogram of gum arabic delivered, we set aside a contribution that grows throughout the year—returned as an annual bonus that transforms lives.
How the Revolving Fund Works
Every Kilo Counts
A contribution is added for each kilogram of gum arabic you deliver
Fund Grows
Your contributions accumulate throughout the harvesting season
Year-End Celebration
At year end, top collectors gather for a special awards ceremony
Bonus Delivered
Collectors receive cheques reflecting their total contribution
More Than Just Income
The Revolving Fund transforms the relationship between Acacia EPZ and our collectors from simple buyer-seller to true partnership. When you succeed, we succeed—and we prove it at year's end.
These bonuses have funded school fees, purchased livestock, built homes, and provided emergency reserves for families who previously had no financial safety net.
“This bonus came at the perfect time—it paid my children's school fees for the entire year. Now I work even harder knowing every kilo counts.”
Join Our Collector Network
Become part of a fair trade system that rewards your dedication. Every kilogram you deliver builds your Revolving Fund bonus.
Transforming Lives Through Reverse Logistics
A revolutionary circular economy: vehicles deliver affordable food outbound, return with gum arabic inbound—solving two costly inefficiencies with one elegant system.
The Challenge We Solve
Expensive Last-Mile Collection
Remote ASAL communities are costly to reach for gum collection—vehicles return empty after delivery
Food Insecurity
High transport costs make food unaffordable in remote areas—seasonal hunger can last 4 months
The Dukawala Solution
Same vehicle delivers food outbound, returns with gum inbound. This eliminates duplicate trips, dramatically reduces logistics costs, and creates a self-sustaining circular economy where gum income generates food purchasing power. Seasonal hunger drops from 4 months to just 1.
How Dukawala Works
Bulk Food Purchase
Acacia EPZ bulk-purchases staples (maize, rice, sugar, cooking oil) at wholesale rates from urban markets
Outbound Delivery
Vehicles deliver affordable food to 1,100+ Dukawala shops across 9 ASAL counties in Kenya
Community Shop Hub
Collectors sell gum, buy affordable food, and access financial services at the Dukawala shop
Gum Collection
Same vehicle aggregates quality-graded gum arabic at community shops for the return journey
Return to Processing
Vehicle returns loaded with aggregated gum to Athi River processing facility for export
Dukawala Impact
Hunger Reduction
Seasonal hunger reduced dramatically
Women Operators
Of Dukawala shops run by women
Instant Payment
Mobile money payments to collectors
Year-Round Income
Sustainable earnings for agents
The Dukawala circular economy: Food in → Gum out → Income → Food security
Empowering Women & Youth
Our programs prioritize women and youth — 70% of our Dukawala shop operators are women, and our Youth Brand Ambassador program engages young people as agents of change in their communities.
Through training, leadership opportunities, and financial literacy education, we support the formation of over 150 Community Based Organizations and 30+ SACCOs, giving communities the tools for self-determination.
Preserving Kenya's Natural Heritage
Kenya has an estimated 12 million Acacia senegal trees across its ASAL regions. Our sustainable harvesting practices protect these ecosystems, prevent desertification, and contribute to carbon sequestration.
Through proper tapping techniques and Assisted Natural Regeneration programs, we ensure acacia trees continue producing gum for decades while enriching soil fertility through nitrogen fixation.
Impact Gallery
See our triple bottom line approach in practice across Kenya's ASAL regions.
