Eben de Jongh is the founder and managing director of Sonke Retail and Sonke Sales Solutions, entrepreneurial ventures based in Durban, South Africa. He holds a degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Pretoria and an International MBA from IE Business School, bringing more than a decade of experience in the FMCG sector with a strong focus on social impact.

A turning point in his career was recognizing the inequity faced by low-income consumers, who often paid more for products in smaller packages. In response, he pioneered the concept of automated refill stations, enabling consumers to use their own containers to purchase products at lower costs. This innovation not only reduces single-use plastic waste but also allows households to save up to 50% on essential goods .

His vision most recently materialized in the launch of SKUBU, Johannesburg’s first automated refill store. The store, developed in partnership with Unilever, the UK Government, and EY under the TRANSFORM initiative, allows customers to refill Unilever-branded products at bulk prices using their own containers. By doing so, it eliminates single-use plastics while delivering savings of up to 60%. Powered by IoT (Internet of Things) technology, SKUBU enables real-time inventory management and automated restocking, positioning it as a flagship model for circular economy retail solutions.