Zelij Invent

Saif is the Co-Founder and CEO of Zelij Invent, a social enterprise converting plastic waste into eco-friendly construction materials. Saif’s interest in solving Morocco's plastic waste issues, combined with his entrepreneurial skills and innovative solutions, led him to establish Zelij Invent as the country’s premier eco-construction company. Zelij Invent’s consulting operations provide services on green entrepreneurship, specifically plastic recovery, with its programme supporting young green entrepreneurs across Africa. The organisation has also partnered with UNDP Iraq and the Global Fund for Cities Development to conduct market research on the Iraqi plastic waste sector and how to implement a plastic recovery solution in that country.

Saif attended the One Young World Summit in Manchester, 2022 as an Enterprise for Peace Scholar with the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He has since worked with fellow Ambassador, Afaf Ajangui, on implementing the programme to support green African entrepreneurs, impacting more than 1,000 people. He also collaborated with fellow Ambassador, Amintaou Bilal, on a programme to develop solutions for the Mediterranean region.

Zelij Invent has produced over five million hollow blocks in three years, recycling 50 million kilogrammes of plastic waste. Zeelij invent’s blocks are made through a self-designed cold collection production process, with plastic waste comprising 80% of the composition. The production process is more sustainable than traditional production, using 68% less energy resources, including water and electricity. Additionally, the organisation works with 300 self-employed people, supporting waste collection and production processes. The company’s blocks are used in a wide range of building solutions and sectors, with more than 50 houses constructed through Zelij Invent products so far.

“I was selected as an Enterprise for Peace Scholar from the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and I met two of my fellow One Young World Ambassadors, Aminetou Bilal and Afaf Anjaguii, who with me were able to implement programmes to support green African entrepreneurs and develop solutions for the Mediterranean region.”