What AFRIpads does

AFRIpads is a Ugandan social enterprise founded in 2010 by Sophia and Paul Grinvalds that manufactures reusable menstrual health products for the African development and humanitarian market. Its core product range comprises three offerings built around a reusable kit platform: AFRIpads Standard Kits (sold in 4-pack and 6-pack configurations, minimum 2-year lifespan, quality certified), the AFRIpads Schoolgirl Kit (designed with schoolgirls, using a mini pad for lighter flow and faster drying), and AFRIpads Underwear (breathable cotton and stretchy spandex, launched in 2020). Complementing the physical products, the company sells a Data Collection Toolkit (offline-capable mobile app plus M&E instruments), an MHH Education Curriculum, and the Girl Talk Comic Book developed with Aisle. All production is concentrated at a 2,700 sqm factory in Masaka, Uganda employing nearly 100 staff (>85% female), with corporate headquarters in Naguru, Kampala.

The business operates a B2B and B2G go-to-market in which contracts with NGOs, UN agencies and development partners account for nearly all commercial revenue; an enterprise sales team with regional representatives covers Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Somalia, South Sudan, DRC, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, supplemented by official distributors such as Live Well Zambia and partnership-driven last-mile delivery through organizations including PADShare. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, with multi-year framework agreements (notably a UNHCR Long-Term Agreement for refugee settlements and an LTA with IOM following a Mozambique pilot) anchoring demand. Additional distribution channels include a separate consumer-facing brand team (So Sure) targeting retail channels.

Revenue mechanics derive primarily from hardware sales of reusable kits to institutional buyers, with secondary revenue from training, capacity building and the Data Collection Toolkit sold to NGO practitioners. The firm claims reach across 40+ countries and 5+ million women and girls served cumulatively since 2010, with anchor deals such as 150,000 kits for UNHCR in Uganda (2019), 31,000 girls for UNICEF Kenya, and 2,700+ sqm of domestic manufacturing infrastructure. AFRIpads holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and the Ugandan national standard for reusable sanitary pads, and maintains an ecosystem presence through co-founding-era engagement with WASH United on Menstrual Hygiene Day and leadership of a 110+ member Period Equality Network. The company is privately held with Aisle (formerly Lunapads) as a long-term shareholder since 2013 and underwent a leadership transition in 2023 with a new professional CEO.

Name

AFRIpads

Legal name

AFRIpads (U) Ltd.

Website

https://afripads.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

AFRIpads is a Ugandan social enterprise that manufactures reusable menstrual kits, underwear, and supporting education and M&E tools, selling primarily to NGOs, UN agencies and development partners across 40+ African countries to curb menstruation-related school and work absenteeism among women and girls.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Reusable Menstrual Hygiene Products

NAICS

Apparel Manufacturing (315)

SIC

Women's, Misses', Children's & Infants' Undergarments (2340), Apparel & Other Finishd Prods Of Fabrics & Similar Matl (2300)

akta.pro primary industry

Menstrual Pads (Reusable/Cloth) (CRABAIAB)

akta.pro secondary industry

Period Underwear (CRABAIAG)

Keywords

• Reusable menstrual products
• Menstrual hygiene solutions
• Sanitary pad manufacturing
• MHH education services
• Feminine hygiene kits

Headquarters

HQ city

Masaka

HQ country

Uganda

HQ region

Africa

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - B2B/B2G: Sale of AFRIpads reusable menstrual kits and underwear to NGOs, UN agencies, development partners, and government organizations for distribution to beneficiaries in development and humanitarian contexts.
2. Training and Capacity Building Services: MHH Education, Use & Care training, and capacity building services provided to partners implementing menstrual health programs.
3. Data Collection Toolkit: M&E materials and toolkit sold/provided to partners for conducting menstrual health data collection and evaluation.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

AFRIpads manufactures and sells reusable menstrual kits (Standard Kits in 4-pack and 6-pack, Schoolgirl Kit with mini pads) and AFRIpads Underwear (breathable cotton and stretchy spandex) from its factory in Masaka, Uganda. The company complements these physical products with an MHH Education Curriculum, capacity building services, and a Data Collection Toolkit (including mobile app) for NGO and UN partners implementing menstrual health programs.

Product overview

AFRIpads is a social enterprise offering reusable menstrual health products and supporting services. The core product portfolio consists of three main reusable menstrual kit products: AFRIpads Standard Kits (available in 4-pack and 6-pack configurations), AFRIpads Schoolgirl Kit (designed with mini pads for lighter flow), and AFRIpads Underwear (breathable cotton/spandex underwear). These products are designed to last a minimum of 2 years, are cost-effective and waste-reducing. Complementing the physical products, AFRIpads offers MHH Education Curriculum with training materials and capacity building, a Data Collection Toolkit for monitoring and evaluation, and the Girl Talk Comic Book for menstrual health education. The company has impacted over 5 million women and girls across 40 countries since its founding in 2010.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• So Sure: Brand team handling So Sure product line at AFRIpads

Products and services

• AFRIpads Standard Kits Reusable menstrual kits available in 4-pack and 6-pack combinations. Cost-effective, waste-reducing, quality-certified reusable pads offering complete protection for a minimum of 2 years. Designed for distribution in development and humanitarian settings by NGOs, UN agencies, and government partners.
• AFRIpads Schoolgirl Kit Reusable menstrual kit designed in collaboration with schoolgirls, includes a mini pad ideal for lighter flow and faster drying time. Targets school-going girls facing challenges managing menstruation at school.
• AFRIpads Underwear Underwear made of breathable cotton and super stretchy spandex that lasts longer, stretches more, and fits better. Used alongside AFRIpads reusable menstrual kits for daily comfort and confidence.
• Data Collection Toolkit Practical monitoring and evaluation (M&E) toolkit designed for NGO and UN partners. Includes a 10-Step-Guide, baseline survey, endline survey, Focus Group Discussion Guide, sample consent forms, MPNS Sub-scale Scoring Sheet, Visual Aids, and a mobile app for offline survey completion in the field.
• MHH Education Curriculum and Capacity Building Services Menstrual Health and Hygiene education materials and capacity building services supporting partners with Use and Care instructions, Participant Booklets, and comprehensive MHH training for implementing organizations and field staff.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5+ million women and girls served since founding in 2010
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers12 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

24 partnerships are on record, tiered core, innovation and flagship.

• Lillian FondscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership enhancing menstrual health for women and girls with disabilities through Training of Trainers programs in Uganda.
• Universal Health and Development FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Outreach programme in Butaleja district schools (Hisega Primary School and Butaleja Modern High School) providing menstrual kits, AFRIpads Underwear, Girl Talk books, and training. Funded by John and Marine Van Vlissingen Foundation via AFRIpads Foundation.
• SHARE (Strengthening Hope and Resilience Empowerment)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Collaboration at Kyakatabazi Primary School in Bunyangabu district for focus group discussions on menstrual health. Supported by AFRIpads Foundation and Contribute Foundation.
• SAKI Blossom and HopecoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Kenyan CBO leveraging music (Reggae for Charity) for MHH awareness. Project 47 aims to impact girls in all 47 counties of Kenya. Transformed 3,800 girls' lives since 2019. Received professional training and handbooks from AFRIpads.
• Shaping Our Future Foundation (SOFF)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022First Lady of Malawi's foundation. Received 600 AFRIpads Menstrual Kits donation from AFRIpads Foundation and Plan International Malawi for Likuni Girls Secondary School.
• The Wellbeing FoundationinnovationGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2022Partnership for Menstrual Shebang Fashion Show on MH Day 2022. Supported Kisenyi Menstrual Station with 100 AFRIpads Schoolgirl Kits and Underwear. Uses fashion to normalize period conversations.
• AVSI FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Education Cannot Wait programme in Palabek and Kyangwali Refugee Settlements, Uganda. Impacted 3,345 refugee girls with AFRIpads Menstrual Kits and MHH education. Works in consortium with Save the Children, Windle International, Norwegian Refugee Council, Street Child.
• PADShareinnovationStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Ugandan charity using digital technology platform with PADCards and PADAgents for efficient last-mile distribution of AFRIpads products. 195 girls have collected MHH supplies through PADShare. Awarded first prize at EU-Africa Hackathon 2020 with 20,000 Euro seed funding from Garage48.
• Plan International MalawicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021MHH interventions in Malawi including support for First Lady donation to Likuni Girls Secondary School (600 AFRIpads Menstrual Kits). Collaboration on tax exemption advocacy.
• Save the ChildrencoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Part of Education Cannot Wait consortium implementing MHH programme in refugee settlements with AVSI Foundation.
• Norwegian Refugee CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Part of Education Cannot Wait consortium implementing MHH programme in refugee settlements with AVSI Foundation.
• Windle InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Part of Education Cannot Wait consortium implementing MHH programme in refugee settlements with AVSI Foundation.
• Street ChildcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2021Part of Education Cannot Wait consortium implementing MHH programme in refugee settlements with AVSI Foundation.
• Medical Research Council (MRC) UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020MENISCUS randomized control trial - first large-scale research study on MHH in Uganda. Studies whether AFRIpads and menstrual cups combined with education enables girls to stay in school. Trial runs 2020-2023 in 60 secondary schools in Wakiso and Kalungu districts.
• Rise Ghetto InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Menstrual Purse Programme in Kamwokya, Kampala reaching over 800 girls since March 2020. 300 girls received direct donations of AFRIpads Menstrual Kits and Underwear. Operates in 10 zones of Kamwokya II Parish.
• Girls to Lead AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Distributed AFRIpads Menstrual Kits to 7,500 girls and 700 young mothers. Innovative Girl-Safe Boda programme transforming male motorcycle riders into girl advocates.
• Irise Institute East AfricaflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020Partner of the Year 2022. Women's Rights organization established 2016 addressing period poverty. Leads Period Equality Network across East Africa with 110 members. Distributed AFRIpads kits to children with disabilities. Works with government entities including Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health.
• UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2019Partnership for largest reusable sanitary pad distribution in Uganda targeting 150,000 refugee women and girls in Nakivale, Kyaka II and Rwamwanja settlements. Includes MHM sensitization and capacity building for NGO field staff. Based on 2018 pilot study showing AFRIpads are appropriate and highly preferred solution in refugee context.
• UNICEF KenyacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019MHH intervention in 13 flood-affected counties in Kenya. UNICEF supported 31,000 girls and women with AFRIpads reusable menstrual kits combined with MHM/WASH facilities and education. Partnership includes advocacy for Government of Kenya's free sanitary pads policy.
• IOM MozambiquecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Pilot study on acceptability and appropriateness of AFRIpads among women and adolescents aged 13-29. Led to Long Term Agreement (LTA) for recurring supply and delivery of AFRIpads products with IOM globally.
• Live Well ZambiacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2016Official AFRIpads distributor in Zambia. Health entrepreneurs model reaching 23,493 women and girls across 70 communities in 21 districts. Partnered with Prospero for livelihood support in Eastern Province, training over 200 community-based volunteers.
• Girls Arise UgandacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 20166+ year partnership providing MHH supplies and education to 2,000 school girls. Expanded programme to include girls with hearing impairments in Tororo and Jinja districts.
• WASH UnitedflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2014Initiators of Menstrual Hygiene Day (May 28). AFRIpads has been involved since MH Day's inception, bringing Ugandan national stakeholders together. Partnership has supported advocacy efforts including Tanzania tax cut campaign.
• Aisle (formerly Lunapads)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009Long-standing partnership since 2009 including mentoring, multiple donations, collaborative projects. Aisle became shareholders in AFRIpads in 2013. Jointly created Girl Talk Comic Book educational materials. Visited AFRIpads factory in 2012 and collaborative relationship has spanned 15+ years.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Saalt: US-based reusable menstrual cup and period underwear company with a similar social-impact positioning. Comparable on product category (reusable menstrual care) and dual B2C + institutional distribution.
• Ruby Cup: Social enterprise selling reusable menstrual cups with a humanitarian/NGO distribution model across Africa. Competes for the same MHH budget pool within UN and NGO tenders and addresses the same beneficiary segments.
• The Pad Project: US-based nonprofit funding and distributing reusable menstrual pad machines and kits globally, including East Africa. Competes for the same impact capital and humanitarian distribution channels.
• Aisle (formerly Lunapads): Vancouver-based social enterprise and pioneer in reusable menstrual products; AFRIpads' longest-standing partner and shareholder since 2013. Directly comparable product line (reusable pads, underwear) and B2B/impact-oriented business model.
• Days for Girls: US-headquartered NGO producing reusable menstrual kits for global humanitarian distribution. Competes for the same grant funding and supplies similar schoolgirl and refugee beneficiary populations.
• Eco Femme: India-based social enterprise manufacturing reusable cloth pads and conducting MHH education programs. Highly comparable mission, product format (washable cloth pads), and B2B/NGO distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Diva International (DivaCup): Established global menstrual cup brand with broad retail distribution. Competes in the broader reusable menstrual care category and benefits from greater B2C brand recognition than AFRIpads.

Others

• WASH United: AFRIpads' partner and initiator of Menstrual Hygiene Day; operates adjacent MHH advocacy and education programming globally. Relevant for understanding the broader MHH ecosystem and donor relationships.
• Plan International: Major MHH implementer and AFRIpads' institutional partner in Malawi and other countries. Functions more as a buyer/distributor than a peer manufacturer, but shapes MHH standards and procurement.

Regional players

• Irise Institute East Africa: AFRIpads' Period Equality Network partner addressing period poverty in East Africa. Comparable mission and beneficiary base, but operates as an advocacy/education organization rather than a manufacturer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/afripads
• Xx.com/afripads
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afripads-ltd

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about AFRIpads