Musana Cart

Target SDGs

Market Suggested Retail Price

$135.00

Target Users (Target Impact Group)

Small and Medium-sized Enterprises

Distributors / Implementing Organizations

Musana Carts, partnered with local micro-finance institutions.

Competitive Landscape

Direct competitors include Halisi Trolley.

Countries

Uganda

Manufacturing/Building Method

Individually made by local technicians and fabricators in Kisenyi, Uganda. The manufacturer designs and produces the cart specific to customers' needs. They primarily focus on bulk orders, however, they also make fully customised carts for individual clients.^{Interview with manufacturer in 2020}

Intellectural Property Type

Trademark

User Provision Model

Users can obtain the product directly from Musana Carts Ltd. The company works with local organisations that aim to empower the youth in Uganda and partners with local microfinance institutions to make the cart more accessible. It is a franchise so vendors pay a franchise fee weekly that is built into their cart loan repayment. 

Distributions to Date Status

As of 2020, 39 carts have been distributed to individual vendors in Uganda.Interview with manufacturer in 2020

Design Specifications

The Musana Carts are designed for and with each vendor to ensure their needs are met. The solar panel can power lights, a radio, a stove fan and electrical sockets which can be used to power items including refrigerators. Carts can also be fitted with eco-stoves for cooking and lockable storage space.

Product Schematics

Technical Support

Local technicians provide support for the different components of the system.

Replacement Components

The manufacturer is solely responsible for the repair of each vendors cart during the payback period.^{Interview with manufacturer in 2020}

Lifecycle

3 to 5 years. The limiting component is the solar panel whose average lifecycle is 3 years but can stretch up to 5 with good handling. A 2-year warranty is provided over the cart payback period.^{Interview with manufacturer in 2020}

Manufacturer Specified Performance Parameters

The manufacturer aims to improve the health of vendors and local residents by reducing smoke inhalation associated with traditional charcoal stoves, improve food safety by training Musana Cart owners and increase vendors' income by reducing energy costs and allowing them to work at night.

Vetted Performance Status

Musana Carts have found that vendors have more ability to stay open longer and make more money with the solar-powered light, however, no third-party testing has been completed.

Safety

Battery could be hazardous if not properly installed. Cook-stoves could be a hazard but care is taken to ensure that they are properly insulated.

Complementary Technical Systems

Solar system and associated components.

Academic Research and References

Compliance with regulations

The vendors are registered with the local city council upon purchase of the carts.

Evaluation methods

Manufacturer specifies the changes in sales of the cart as the major evaluation method. Efficacy of modifications to the cart since it is still in early development stages is determined by how many sales the vendors are making.

Other Information

Video of Musana Carts' 2016 Hult Prize Final Presentation at Clinton Global Initiative.

Musana Cart demo video.