Our Inspiration

Over 85% of East Africa’s population do not have access to the electricity grid, so they use charcoal as their main source of cooking fuel. Together with 5% annual population growth in the region, deforestation is a major driver of environmental degradation and global warming.

Lying on the equator, East Africa is one of the most fertile places in the world, benefitting from intense sun and two rainy seasons each year.

Zwei Jz International Uganda Limited was inspired by these challenges to create a commercially viable, sustainable forestry company that maximizes our social, environmental and economic impacts while making a competitive return for our shareholders. That way we can access the private capital that is required to address these challenges at scale and in perpetuity.

Our Approach

Our business could not be successful without a strong commitment to social and economic development, environmental stewardship and keen business acumen. If any of these three pillars falter, the other two are also weakened and the whole company suffers. While many traditionally view these three as conflicting, we find they are increasingly symbiotic.

We create social and economic impacts in the communities neighbouring our forests so that they benefit from our existence as a large landholding investment and help us mitigate risks like fire, theft, and grazing.

It is expensive and increasingly difficult to acquire new land. Therefore, we have to take good care of the land we currently manage so that we can continue to grow trees productively on the same land for many decades to come.

Finally, in order to be truly sustainable, we need to be profitable, commercially savvy and make decisions that also serve the financial interests of the company.

Zwei Jz International Uganda Limited is redefining the role of companies as drivers of economic and social development in 21st century Africa through a Shared Value business model that we created to redistribute the value generated across our broad spectrum of stakeholders as well as our patient, committed shareholder.

Our Impact

Zwei Jz International Uganda Limited is very proud of our impact to date and excited about how this will continue to grow and improve in the future.

 

Social

  • created more than 100 jobs, the majority of which are rural
  • Committed to paying above market wages for unskilled labour
  • Distributed over 30000 tree seedlings to 5,000 neighbouring farmers

Environmental

  • Planted over 20000 trees to date, making us one of the largest private tree planter in the region
  • Manage over 100 ha of conservation land
  • Contributed a net reduction in greenhouse gasses of over 300 tons of CO2 emissions last financial year.

Economic

  • Became the largest regional producer of electricity transmission poles, contributing to an estimated 53,000 kilometres of electricity grid
  • Contribute tens of millions in import substitution and forex savings each year
  • Currently paying over 3 million in taxes annually contributing to the financial sustainability of Ugandan government
  • Spent over 170 million on rural road construction and maintenance to date
  • Built 3 transmission pole treatment plans and 2 sawmills, diversifying the economies into rural manufacturing
  • Committed to the highest ethical standards and anti-corruption