Kaafi Enterprise for Environmental Protection and Sanitation (“KEEPS”) is one of Shuraako’s first clients. It has been operating as a waste management service in Somaliland since 2012 when only 65% of the daily waste generated in Hargeisa was being collected due to inefficient equipment. To address this problem, KEEPS sought to increase its capacity and productivity through the acquisition of modern waste handling and disposal equipment. A 2014 Shuraako-brokered investment supported K.E.E.P.S. in increasing its municipal solid waste services by procuring heavy equipment and transportation.

In 2019, after the successful repayment of its first loan, K.E.E.P.S. secured additional financing from the Nordic Horn of Africa Opportunities Fund to expand its construction services capacity with the purchase of additional heavy equipment. These funds are enabling KEEPS to deploy two additional fleets of heavy machinery, increasing garbage collection, water development, and disposal services. The benefits of increasing these services include additional access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation in public spaces, and local job creation. Over half of K.E.E.P.S.’s permanent jobs are occupied by women, and its compensation is competitive.

K.E.E.P.S. employees also take advantage of training and capacity-building events hosted with one of Shuraako’s partners, DANIDA. These events help small and medium enterprises like K.E.E.P.S. offer their employees opportunities to learn more about Shuraako loans, build new skills, and network with other companies in the region.