2024: A Year to Remember, Thanks to You

As the sun sets on 2024, my heart overflows with gratitude and admiration for each of you who has been part of this journey, not just this year but from the very beginning. What a year it’s been! They say every finish line is the start of a new race, and this year, we crossed countless lines while preparing for even greater sprints ahead.

When we registered UpwardEco in November 2023, it was with big dreams and the hope of solving a challenge bigger than us. By January 2024, we had hit the ground running, working tirelessly to comprehend the monumental task we had set out to achieve. Every opportunity to deliver was a test of trust, and with every nod of belief from you—and even the “carry go” from the Nigerian government—we felt energized to bring our vision to life.

But let’s be real: this journey has been a rollercoaster. Sleepless nights, big wins, stumbles, and lessons were all part of the adventure. And through it all, your support, faith, and feedback kept us going.

Our 2024 Highlights

• March: The First Collection Center The first spark of our dream became a reality in March when we rented our very first collection center. This was more than a facility—it was the heart of a new movement, the launchpad for our 3-month pilot program, which kicked off in May and concluded in August.
• May-August: The Pilot Program Those three months were pivotal. They were a testing ground for our systems, processes, and vision. We learned, iterated, and gathered data that would later shape the launch of SendWaste.com, our flagship platform.
• November: SendWaste.com Goes Live This was a proud moment for us. Armed with insights from the pilot, we officially launched SendWaste.com in November. The platform is designed to empower individuals, households, and businesses to better manage waste, reduce their carbon footprints, and benefit from eco-friendly practices. SendWaste.com is the cornerstone of our strategy for 2025, and we’re excited to build on its success.
• Industry Collaboration and Support Joining the Recyclers Association of Nigeria (RAN) and forming partnerships with key stakeholders gave us the momentum to expand our impact. Special shout-out to Madame Rita Idehai of EcoBarter, whose guidance and encouragement were like a lighthouse in turbulent waters.
• August–December: Entrepreneurial Growth with 54 Collective The mentorship and guidance we received from 54 Collective transformed how we viewed our journey. They helped us see the path more clearly, reminding us that entrepreneurship isn’t just about grit but strategy, perspective, and community.

Let’s not sugarcoat it; 2024 brought its fair share of sleepless nights, lessons wrapped in thorns, and hurdles disguised as opportunities. But hey, what’s a journey without the drama? Joy, pain, agony, and euphoria. we felt it all. And through it, we learned that entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint-hearted. But as Nigerians, we come with an X factor: resilience, audacity, and the ability to turn watermelon into juice and sometimes "stew" if the situation demands!

To everyone who believed in us, shared in our vision, taught us, corrected us, and yes, even those who walked away—you’ve all played a part in this story. Your support, guidance, and even your criticism have been the fuel to our fire.

The journey wasn’t without its challenges. Some ideas didn’t take off, partnerships fell through, and not all plans unfolded as hoped. But every stumble taught us, and every closed door pointed us to new opportunities.

As we move into 2025, we are focused on scaling the impact of SendWaste.com, kicking off our Carbon Footprint Literacy Campaign, and expanding our collection centers. The lessons of 2024 have prepared us for this next chapter, and together, we’ll continue to create meaningful change.

Here’s to you! the dreamers, the doers, and the believers who make UpwardEco what it is. Here’s to the wins, the lessons, the growth, and the joy we’ve shared.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Let’s toast to a 2025 filled with impact, innovation, and shared success.

Carry go, Team UpwardEco !

With heartfelt appreciation,

Moh!