Startup Story
Lutea Magaia Alberto, an Environmental and Agribusiness professional, is the founder and manager of Mentes Sustentáveis (Sustainable Minds) in Mozambique. She has a degree in Agronomic Engineering, from Eduardo Mondlane University in Mozambique and more than 7 years of experience as an Environmentalist dedicating herself to areas such as Environmental Education, Waste Management and Ecosystem Recovery. She founded Mentes Sustentáveis in 2019 and has over the years been a pioneer in raising awareness of Mozambique’s environmental problems and bringing practical, ecological and sustainable solutions. Since then she has been dedicated to the development of eco-business models, development of eco-friendly products and carrying out environmental education activities, contributing to the green ecosystem in Mozambique.
LoA chatted to Lutea Magaia about her work and her big vision to make green education and change happen.
What does your company do?
Design and implement environmental education programs and activities for schools, and public and private sector companies. Help organizations incorporate sustainable actions that maximize their positive socio-environmental impacts. Sell products for companies and people looking to make conscious consumption.
“The decision to become an entrepreneur came in 2019 after identifying a great desire to work with environmental education outside the corporate environment that I was in.”
“We have years of work experience and the knowledge of the Mozambican reality, in addition to being pioneers in the search for environmentally friendly alternatives.”
What inspired you to start your company?
After a few years of working with environmental education, I felt I had knowledge that was only being shared within a restricted corporate environment and the reality outside the company was very different. People had no information about why it is important to take care of the environment and how our daily actions can have negative impacts on the environment. At that time, I decided I needed to take this information out of my workplace and create more real action for the Mozambican people.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Made by Mozambicans for Mozambicans, we have years of work experience and the knowledge of the Mozambican reality, in addition to being pioneers in the search for environmentally friendly alternatives, so that people not only have the information but that can make decisions that will help them to have more positive actions in relation to the environment.
Tell us a little about your team.
Mentes Sustentáveis team is currently formed by 3 women: Lutea Magaia, environment and agribusiness specialist, is the company’s general manager. Shena Magaia, organizational psychologist, holds the position of administrative manager. Sharmilla Mussagy, student of the agriculture course, responsible for administrative support.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
I do not come from an entrepreneurial background. The decision to become an entrepreneur came in 2019 after identifying a great desire to work with environmental education outside the corporate environment that I was in. It has been a walk with many challenges but also a lot of support from key partners. After the creation of the company in July 2019, in September of the same year we participated in the first edition of the Climate Launch Pad in Mozambique, a global competition of green business ideas, where we stood out in the TOP 4 of green business ideas. From there we received support from organizations for business development and funds for research and investment. The next year, 2020, was a very challenging year mostly because of Covid-19, with many of our environmental education plans which could not be effective and the volume of sales of eco-friendly products which dropped. But we still managed to keep going, and we used that time to work on our presence on online platforms. We were also part of programs and debates around the green ecosystem in Mozambique. In 2021 we were able to resume plans for environmental education activities.
“After a few years of working with environmental education, I felt I had knowledge that was only being shared within a restricted corporate environment and the reality outside the company was very different.”
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
At the moment we are dedicated to working in the field of corporate environmental education and we intend to expand the options of eco-friendly products.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
The feeling of making a difference for the planet and my country; of having the courage to bring education around a new subject; and a new company to a context where people think the issue is not important. Also to be able to make decisions and grow with each of the challenges that arise on the journey.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
Believe in your dreams and move for them. Don´t be afraid take the first step. Celebrate small victories. Things don't have to be perfect at the beginning, you will always have challenges, good moments and bad moments, and some days will not be easy, but every effort will be worth it.
Contact or follow Mentes Sustentáveis
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | EMAIL lutea@mentessustentaveis.co.mz
Why LoA loves it…
If you are going to make a difference and an impact in the world, it helps if you are passionate about the change you want to see. In the case of Lutea Magaia, she wants to see more people understand the power of making the right eco-friendly decisions. Through her environmental education programmes, she is encouraging all generations of Mozambican people, and the companies and organizations they work for, to think green and to minimize their environmental footprints. As the world looks to protect the planet and to think green, entrepreneurs like Lutea are playing their part. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa