Like many African nations, Mozambique faces a dire challenge with prosthetic care. Landmines, accidents, and diseases cause thousands of amputations every year, but 90% of amputees in the country lack access to affordable, comfortable prosthetics. This issue affects the most vulnerable, especially children, whose prosthetics need frequent replacements to accommodate growth. The consequences of this inaccessibility go far beyond physical limitations—amputees often experience social isolation, reduced economic opportunities, and a diminished quality of life. This problem led Marta Uetela to found BioMec, a startup that makes eco-friendly prosthetics using recycled plastic waste.
For Marta Uetela, this problem hit close to home when a close friend struggled to access suitable prosthetics. This personal connection sparked a fire within Marta, driving her to create a sustainable solution that could improve the lives of thousands. Marta’s innovative spirit was evident from her early entrepreneurial days with Minimal LivingBox, a startup that built container homes. But BioMec, her next venture, would address Mozambique’s prosthetic crisis head-on.
Innovating for Change: BioMec’s Unique Approach
Marta founded BioMec with a clear mission: to create affordable, eco-friendly prosthetics using recycled plastic waste. Partnering with local fishing communities, BioMec collects discarded fishnets and plastic bottles—materials polluting Mozambique’s beaches—and transforms them into life-changing prosthetics. Using just 250 grams of fish netting and six plastic bottles, BioMec produces lightweight, durable prosthetics. This eco-conscious approach provides cost-effective solutions and helps clean up the environment.
Since its inception, BioMec’s innovative model has already transformed the lives of over 700 amputees across Mozambique and Angola. It uses two tonnes of plastic waste to create custom prosthetics. Users like Marta’s friend Ivan Cumaio, who was the first to receive a BioMec prototype, have regained mobility and independence. BioMec’s success demonstrates sustainable innovation’s profound impact on individuals and the environment.
A Vision for the Future
Despite these accomplishments, BioMec faces hurdles in the form of regulatory constraints and funding limitations. Yet Marta’s determination remains unshaken. She envisions a future where prosthetic care is accessible and sustainable for all, not just in Mozambique but across the globe. Her focus on expansion, partnerships, and ongoing research keeps BioMec on a path of growth and innovation.
BioMec’s journey is an inspiring testament to the power of passion and perseverance. Through social entrepreneurship and sustainability, Marta Uetela is empowering amputees and setting a global standard for affordable prosthetic care. Her advice for fellow women entrepreneurs is simple: “When you do something you love, the energy behind it is unstoppable.” Marta’s work, which intertwines empowerment and environmental responsibility, offers hope and a blueprint for a better future.
BioMec’s recognition as one of Africa’s top three startups by ClimateLaunchPad 2020 solidified Marta’s commitment to innovative problem-solving. With BioMec, Marta aims to provide prosthetic solutions for people that make it possible to live without limitations for 100.000 years within five years, reducing costs and improving access. “BioMec believes in climate change, recycling, and harmony with nature,” she notes..
