Clean energy solutions drive job creation for youth, women

Upcountry. Clean energy technologies have not only provided a sustainable solution for the environment but have also generated employment opportunities across various sectors within the community.

The innovations that utilise locally available raw materials such as crop residues and animal excrement such as cow dung not only help in maintaining environmental cleanliness but also ensure sustainable energy production and reduce dependence on traditional charcoal and firewood.

Here, we examine different clean energy innovations in three regions.

Alternative charcoal in Mbeya

In Utengule Usongwe Ward, Mbeya District, 13 youths came together to form a group called “Vijana Wajibika” (Mbekiwa), which engages in beekeeping and alternative charcoal production.

The establishment of this group in 2023 aimed to combat unemployment. Its members had previously undergone training provided by the Small Industries Development Organisation (SIDO).

A year later, the group welcomed five new members, increasing its total membership to 18.

The group’s secretary, Mr Abel Kibona, says they were able to receive training because they organised themselves in a group.

“By the grace of God, five more youths were welcomed in the group as we progress well with our activities,” Mr Kibona noted.

The group uses raw materials such as wood waste, clay, sugarcane husks, coal, and cassava flour to produce alternative charcoal.

Mr Kibona says that when they started production in 2023, they produced 100 kilogrammes per day, but now production has increased to 200-250 kilogrammes per day.

Each kilo of produced charcoal that can be used for at least two days is sold at Sh1,000.

Regarding the motivation behind initiating the project, Kibona explains that after receiving training on the environmental damage caused by the use of firewood and charcoal, they identified a significant opportunity to address the issue by developing alternative energy solutions.

In addition to helping reduce environmental destruction, alternative charcoal also benefits farmers. “The heat generated by this charcoal aids in hatching poultry eggs, serves as an effective fertiliser, and can even be used for cleaning sinks in toilets,” Kibona explains.

The group has implemented strategies to encourage the community to use alternative energy, a step that has reduced tree cutting in Mbeya, a mountainous region.

“Now, the residents of Utengule Valley have turned to alternative energy... a situation that has slowed down the rate of illegal tree-cutting,” says Kibona.

The group has established a reliable market among local residents, as well as churches, schools, and small to medium-sized businesses in the area. The group plans to expand production to reach 1,000 to 2,000 kilogrammes per day. However, they face challenges with capital and equipment. Kibona has requested government support in the form of a loan of Sh50 million to increase production.

Users of alternative charcoal testify. Rehema Mwanjonde, a food vendor from Utengule, admits that a few years ago, she was a leading user of firewood and charcoal, but after receiving education, she has seen a significant transformation.

A resident of Nsalala, Tausi Azory, on his part added; “Now many of us use alternative energy because it has become a solution, making cooking easier and saving time from constantly tending to the fire.” In terms of employment, Kibona states that the group has provided jobs to 18 youths, including seven women and six men. Additionally, they have hired three individuals to operate tricycles for transporting the energy products.

“Among the youths we employed, five have gone on to enhance their skills at various colleges,” said Kibona.

The government, through the District Council, has provided a loan of Sh24 million to the group, and Kibona says they have already repaid Sh7 million.

A chief in Mbeya Region, Rocket Mwashinga, has urged the government to hand over forest areas to the group to manage.

“We are working together to promote the use of alternative energy... the goal is to see the government achieving its objectives,” chief Mwashinga says.

Paper charcoal in Mtwara

The Tumalane group, located in Msangamkuu, Mtwara, is engaged in the innovation of making alternative charcoal from paper and cardboard collected from the streets. This group, consisting of 13 women, was founded after one of them, Fatuma Mohamed, received training in making this kind of charcoal while in Dar es Salaam.

Upon returning to her village, she formed the group and began producing paper charcoal as a way to combat climate change and protect the environment.

Group members collect paper and cardboard from the streets, soak them for three days, pound them, and then shape them into charcoal briquettes that are sun-dried before being used.

Despite the challenge of a lack of markets, the group has been using the charcoal themselves and sometimes distributing it for free to the community to educate people about its benefits.

This charcoal does not pollute the environment or produce much smoke, making it an excellent alternative to traditional charcoal, which contributes to deforestation and climate change. The group secretary, Salma Mohamed, says they obtain raw materials from schools and hospitals. The challenges they face include a lack of machines to improve production and limited trust from customers.

Msangamkuu Councillor Hamis Mangolosho supports the project and says there are plans to increase awareness and expand the market for this charcoal to help address climate change.

Rice husks in Kilimanjaro

Environmental stakeholders in Kilimanjaro have developed a method of using rice husks to create clean cooking energy, which reduces carbon emissions and contributes to efforts to combat climate change.

This energy, unlike LPG gas, comes from rice husk waste, which is used to create logs resembling firewood, and it has been certified by the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) as environmentally safe.

Kilimanjaro Industrial Development Centre (KIDT) manager, Veronica Sukum, says this innovation has many benefits, including reducing household costs for residents and providing job opportunities. “Alternative energy from rice husks creates firewood-like logs, which make life easier by reducing the cost of using traditional firewood and charcoal,” said Veronica.

The production of this energy is done by KIDT, and its major clients include schools, hospitals, churches, and individuals.

“Both the Mawenzi Referral Hospital and CCBRT Rehabilitation Centre are among our largest customers,” added Veronica.

This energy is sold in logs, with one log sold for Sh400, and a log costing Sh800 can cook a full meal for a family. In addition to reducing household costs, this energy also helps reduce deforestation and environmental damage.

“These rice husks are used to create clean energy that is environmentally friendly and available at an affordable price that any Tanzanian can afford,” said Veronica.

William Kashera, a young man employed in the project, says the job has helped him support his family, and it is a sustainable source of employment for him.

Veronica also explained that the energy is safe for health as it contains no harmful chemicals for humans or the environment.

She further mentions that the machines used to produce this energy were developed after experts from Japan realised the large amounts of rice husks being wasted. (By Hawa Mathias (Mbeya), Janeth Joseph (Kilimanjaro), and Florence Sanawa (Mtwara)

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