The founders of Buni Banda knew there had to be a better way—one that put communities at the center of the innovation process. Instead of solutions dictated by external agendas, they envisioned an approach that started with listening, collaboration, and a deep understanding of local contexts. They believed that by aligning donor goals with the actual needs of the people, impactful and lasting change could be achieved. This vision led to the creation of Buni Banda.

Buni is a Swahili word meaning “innovation” and Banda , also a Swahili word, means a “shed”; we see ourselves as offering a small space , or shed, where anyone can explore their creative ideas without limits. a space where innovation is driven by those who experience the challenges firsthand, ensuring that solutions are not only effective but also embraced and sustained.

At Buni Banda, we’re not just solving problems—we’re building futures where communities are the driving force behind their own success. Because the best solutions aren’t imposed from the outside—they’re built together, from the ground up.

Through research, human-centered design, grant-writing, data analysis and insights, business modelling and project implementation, we bridge the gap between donor ambitions and on-the-ground realities. Our goal is to empower organizations to achieve long-term resource efficiency while creating meaningful impact.

By putting people first and using Human-Centered Design (HCD), we help non-profits, social enterprises,government agencies ,startups  and entrepreneurs uncover the root causes of their challenges and design solutions that work. We focus on localization—leveraging the unique strengths, knowledge, and resources within communities to create solutions that are not only effective but sustainable in the long run.  

This is the heart of Buni Banda: helping organizations and communities reimagine what’s possible, using what they already have, to create lasting change.