The raw materials being used to manufacture green charcoal include maize shells and cassava. Both maize shells and cassava are widely available. Maize shells are more available during harvest time after which most farmers opt to burn them since they have no use for them. The equipment being used to manufacture green charcoal include kilns, crushers, mixers and briquette molding machine. All the equipment being used are manufactured locally by Muchinga Skills Association. The community has responded positively by buying and using green charcoal which most users have preferred compared to charcoal made from trees because it is clean as well as affordable energy. Manufacturing green charcoal is contributing to improved livelihoods in that the cassava used in production is bought from local farmers/traders. The maize shells are also collected at a fee thereby providing income.
Jobs are also being created especially for young people and women. Young people and women are employed to provide labor required throughout the value chain of manufacturing green charcoal as most work is done manually. Green charcoal is significant in meeting local energy demand. Green charcoal manufacturing from biomass is reducing the number of trees being cut to produce charcoal. Compared to other fuels, green charcoal has an economic advantage in that it can be produced simply, have high calorific values and the raw materials are locally as well as widely available. On the longer term, the entire community will benefit from healthier environment due to lower CO2 emission linked to deforestation.
Who are leading it?
The leadership of the project is composed of passionate and innovative young people. These young people have acquired extensive experience of the entire manufacturing process of green clean charcoals. The Muchinga Skills Association team are also skilled metal fabricators capable of designing, fabricating and maintaining all the equipment used in the manufacturing process.
What is the target Market?
On the demand side, the target market is low-income families/households (both urban and Peri urban areas) using charcoal made from trees daily starting with Nakonde. The green charcoal has high-cost effectiveness and efficiency as compared to traditional wood charcoal which allows households to spend less on fuel. Other regions of the country will also be captured making use of the readily available transition/transportation from Nakonde. East Africa is as well being considered via Tanzania as Nakonde is a border town with Tanzania on the North. There is huge demand for charcoal in Tanzania where laws against deforestation and charcoal production are extensively enforced. Muchinga Skills Association (MSA) will generate alternative income opportunities by sourcing agriculture waste from farmers. Young people and women who are mostly affected by unemployment will be hired to help with collection of the waste and distribution of green charcoal.
What is the business model?
A readily available market has been established with high demand for the product within and beyond Nakonde district. All the materials (maize shells and cassava) used for manufacturing green charcoal are sourced locally as they are widely available. Equipment being used inclusive of kilns, crushers, mixers and briquette molding machines are fabricated by M.S.A locally. Thus, not only introducing a new product but also technology. This eco-innovation using local resources to create local solutions is enhancing resilience not just for the locals but wherever it will be replicated.
Who is your competition?
Producers and traders of charcoal made from trees are a threat. Due to the high demand for energy, people/businessmen with money are injecting money in production of charcoal made from trees. Charcoal burners in the end are also producing and supplying huge quantities of charcoal made from trees on the market. Traders have in turn made available charcoal from trees at almost all volumes and corners to meet the energy needs of the customer.
What is the Unique Selling Proposition?
Green charcoal burns hotter and lasts longer compared to traditional charcoal. One only needs a small quantity/number of briquettes to cook. In fact, green charcoal has an economic advantage in that the raw materials are widely available, can be produced simply and have high calorific value.