Prime
How young Tanzanians are pioneering waste solutions
An innovator, Mr Antidius Kawamala showcases a shirt made from food waste fibres. PHOTO | HALILI LETEA
What you need to know:
- The solutions offer multiple benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preventing urban flooding and improving soil productivity
Dar es Salaam. Young Tanzanian innovators are introducing creative solutions to improve organic waste management, particularly food waste, in Dar es Salaam.
Some of these innovations are already in operation, while others are in the planning phase, all aiming to enhance food waste management in the city.
These initiatives offer multiple benefits, including reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preventing urban flooding and improving soil productivity.
The programme is part of the Dar es Salaam Urban Resilience Project (DURP), funded by the UK Government.
The initiative, which began in July 2024, seeks to reduce food waste, enhance recycling efforts, lower greenhouse gas emissions and increase climate resilience.
The project is expected to conclude in March 2025 and is being implemented by the Green Cities and Infrastructure Programme (GCIP).
In a competition featuring over 70 innovators, nine were selected, with three emerging as winners.
These young innovators will receive mentorship and training, including exposure to international experiences, to further develop their projects.
From right are LEOLEO Guliosmart innovator, Mr James David, Mr Antidius Kawamala from ROOTGIS, and Recarbonise X initiative founder Mr David Kazuguri during a recent event. PHOTO | HALILI LETEA
Converting food waste into fibres
One of the winning innovations, Harnessing Food Waste Fibers using Digital Waste Banks, was developed by Antidius Kawamala from ROOTGIS, an organisation based in Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam.
“We've already started working on this innovation on a small scale. We collect food waste from households—some people bring it to our office, and we buy it at an agreed price,” explained Kawamala.
The food wastes are then ground and fermented before using technology to extract fibers.
These fibers are then used to make fabrics like the shirt Kawamala showed in the picture.
He also mentioned that food waste is stored in special containers and depositors are rewarded with mobile credits, which they can use for services like airtime, SMS, or internet access.
However, Mr Kawamala said they were facing limited processing capacity as they are capable of processing one tonne of waste per week, despite the large amount of food waste available.
A mobile app connecting waste producers, processors
Another winning innovation: LEOLEO Guliosmart, was initially designed to help farmers and food vendors assess food losses due to spoilage.
The app has now evolved to connect food producers with buyers and waste processors.
The app innovator and SANDC (LEOLEO Guliosmart) founder James David, stated that the platform currently has over 2,300 users across regions like Mbeya, Arusha, Iringa, Morogoro, and Dar es Salaam.
“Our goal is to connect markets, provide market information, assist with inventory management, and keep business records to help users make informed decisions,” said David.
For perishable and spoiled food, the app links users with processors who recycle the waste into animal feed.
Mr David mentioned that they have over 20 waste processors across different regions, and in Dar es Salaam, they are collaborating with stakeholders to involve more than 300 livestock farmers who will benefit from the processed feed.
While the app has been successful, Mr David highlighted that they currently process only three tonnes of waste per week in Arusha and Mbeya regions, plans are afoot to expand the service to other regions.
Carbon trading through waste management
The Recarbonize X initiative, founded by David Kazuguri, focuses on adding value to waste and integrating it into the carbon trading market.
Mr Kazuguri explained that food waste, despite its environmental and economic potential, is often undervalued.
“The decomposition of food waste releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane, which contribute to climate change. However, with a structured system, we can capture and measure these emissions, allowing individuals and businesses to earn ‘carbon credits’ and generate revenue,” he said.
Mr Kazuguri, based in Dar es Salaam, developed an app that connects stakeholders, including waste producers, carbon measurement experts, waste processors (who produce compost and biogas), and carbon credit buyers.
Through these innovative solutions, young Tanzanians are demonstrating how creative approaches to waste management can have significant environmental and economic impacts. By leveraging technology and sustainable practices, they are paving the way for a cleaner, greener, and more resilient future.
