In a groundbreaking innovation that blends science with sustainability, Joy Mamkwe, a biochemistry graduate from Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), has created a 100% locally made reusable sanitary pad using banana trunks.
Joy, who hails from Bende Local Government Area in Abia State, discovered the potential of banana trunks while researching renewable energy during her final year. What started as a passion project in 2022 has evolved into a promising social enterprise aimed at helping low-income girls and women access affordable sanitary products.
“I’m a biochemist, and I love researching,” Joy shared. “During one of my projects, I realized banana trunks, which are everywhere in Southern Nigeria, especially Abia, could be used to produce sanitary pads. We’re one of the largest banana producers in West Africa, yet we waste the trunks.”
The pads, made from thoroughly sterilized banana fiber, are processed under strict hygienic conditions—including cooking and UV-light sterilization—to ensure they are safe for human use.
Joy officially began production this year after completing her NYSC in 2024. However, she’s currently operating on a small scale within the university campus and needs support to grow. The main hurdle? Setting up a befitting production facility.
“NAFDAC has given us guidelines for registration, but I need about ₦1.5 million to rent a proper space and get more machines,” she explained. “That’s my biggest challenge right now.”
While she’s already receiving bulk orders from NGOs and schools, Joy turned down a potentially exploitative investor who wanted co-founder status rather than equity.
“My mentor advised against it. I’d rather get fair equity-based support,” she said.
Joy’s product, aimed at low-income earners—especially schoolgirls and rural women—has already started making a difference. A 10-pack of her pads sells between ₦800 and ₦1,500, significantly cheaper than most disposable alternatives.
Her drive has attracted attention. The Abia State Commissioner for Small and Medium Enterprises, Mike Akpara, encouraged her to present her innovation formally, promising potential support from the state government.
“Let her come and demonstrate it to us,” he said. “If it’s as promising as it sounds, we’ll escalate it to the Governor.”
The university community is also backing her. Prof. Mabel Onwuka, Director of MOUAU’s Centre for Gender, Youth and Child Development, praised Joy’s vision, noting that her innovation helps relieve financial pressure for many young women.
“We procured and distributed some of the pads during International Women’s Day. She’s solving a real problem,” Prof. Onwuka said.
Now, Joy plans to pursue a Master’s in Public Health to further her career in women’s health, already taking business classes to sharpen her entrepreneurial skills.
As she works to raise capital and scale up, Joy remains driven by a simple but powerful mission: empowering women through innovation—one banana trunk at a time.
