Clean Green Charcoal Briquettes

Theme

Energy systems

Area

Strategy

To manufacture green, clean charcoal briquettes from biomass as alternative to charcoal burning and reduce deforestation.

Place and constituency

Nakonde, Zambia.
Muchinga Skills Association

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Summary

Manufacturing selling and promoting green charcoal as alternative energy for everyday use. A youth-led initiative, driven by the Muchinga Skills Association, is transforming agricultural waste like maize shells and cassava into green charcoal through locally manufactured equipment. This innovative approach not only addresses deforestation and reduces carbon emissions but also creates jobs, especially for young people and women, across the value chain. With its affordability, higher calorific values and positive environmental impact, the initiative is meeting the energy needs of low-income households while promoting sustainable resource utilization.

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The problem

High poverty and unemployment levels in Nakonde district make it difficult for people to afford electricity. Nakonde has seen increased demand for charcoal and wood fuel which is the main source of energy for most of the people. Charcoal and wood fuel account for 79% of energy consumed. Charcoal burners in Nakonde district have continued to indiscriminately cut down trees contributing to global warming. Forest cover has been lost; rainfall patterns have become unpredictable as there is little rainfall being received with droughts being eminent. There are threats of food insecurity, severe degradation of land, increase in deforestation, soil erosion and biodiversity loss.

Background to the problem

Population increase in Nakonde has led to increased demand for energy especially at household level for daily use. High poverty and unemployment levels in Nakonde district make it difficult for people to afford electricity while others are not yet connected to the national electricity grid. This has paused a threat on the existing natural resources in order to meet energy demands. Majority of the population in Nakonde depend on charcoal as a source of energy. Others have also ventured into charcoal production and trading due to the demand for the commodity especially from neighboring countries from East Africa where laws on deforestation and charcoal production are stiff (enforced).

The solution

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.

Effects and results

Over 1,000 households in Nakonde district have not only adopted green charcoal briquettes as a cleaner and affordable energy source but have also become voluntary advocates for the product. Users are actively promoting its benefits such as efficient cooking, longer burn times, and cleanliness.
The alternative intervention successfully employs locally available resources, namely maize shells and cassava, which are abundant during the harvest season in Nakonde. By utilizing these agricultural waste materials, the project has demonstrated innovation by reducing waste, and contributing to income generation for local farmers and traders.
The project has created employment opportunities for young people and women throughout the value chain of green charcoal briquette production. This not only addresses the issue of unemployment but also enhances local livelihoods, particularly for marginalized groups.
The project's transition from traditional wood-based charcoal to green charcoal briquette made from agricultural waste materials directly addresses deforestation, soil erosion, and biodiversity loss. By reducing tree cutting, the initiative contributes to lower greenhouse gas emissions and healthier ecosystems.
The initiative has for over 3yrs successfully engaged with the community and established a strong demand for green charcoal. With plans for replication and scaling, including establishing regional manufacturing plants and exploring expansion to neighboring regions and countries like Tanzania, the project demonstrates a well-defined growth strategy.

Key-Takeaways

The use of locally available resources and the employment of locally fabricated equipment make the project intervention adaptable to similar contexts.
The use of locally available agricultural waste materials, such as maize shells and cassava, to manufacture green charcoal demonstrates resourcefulness and innovation. This approach reduces waste and utilizes materials that would otherwise be discarded.
The involvement of local farmers and traders in providing the raw materials creates an additional source of income for them. Moreover, the creation of employment opportunities for young people and women throughout the value chain of green charcoal production contributes to improving livelihoods.
By producing green charcoal from agricultural waste instead of cutting down trees for traditional charcoal, the project directly addresses deforestation and its associated environmental issues, including soil erosion, biodiversity loss, and greenhouse gas emissions.
The positive response from early adopters of green charcoal, who become voluntary promoters, underscores the importance of building awareness and advocacy within the community.
By introducing eco-innovation and technology, the intervention enhances the resilience of the community and its capacity to find sustainable solutions to local challenges.

Feasibility

The association has skilled metal fabricators who design, fabricate, and maintain the necessary equipment are available for charcoal briquette production. This ensures that the production process is managed locally and that any technical issues is addressed by the team itself within the Association.

Economic viability

The economic viability of the project is quite promising due to the use of locally sourced and readily available raw materials, such as maize shells and cassava, which reduces the cost of production. The project has the potential for creating employment opportunities for young people and women and contribute to positive impact on the local economy within the district.

Level of experience

The initiative has been operational for approximately 3 years, during which it has successfully conducted a pilot project and introduced a new product, green charcoal briquettes, to the market. The team behind the initiative, the Muchinga Skills Association, consists of passionate and innovative young people who have gained extensive experience in the entire manufacturing process of green clean charcoal briquettes. They have also developed expertise in designing, fabricating, and maintaining the equipment required for charcoal briquette production. This hands-on experience indicates a practical understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with the initiative's goals.

Potential for scaling

Scaling deep: In order to scale deep it's necessary that materials for fabricating equipment are made available to increase the quantity of maize shells being carbonized. Most of the kilns are crushers are meant to empower women groups to enhance their income base through value addition as well as increase the production rate. The issue of transport for materials as well as manpower from sources to production site requires a readily available light truck for M.S.A. conducting demonstration trainings for young people and women on manufacturing is necessary to equip them with an understanding of the process and procedures as well as occupational health and safety. Moreover, having/establishing a manufacturing shelter meant to house the equipment and manpower for actual/final process of making green charcoal and safe storage of raw materials and products will lead to non-stop production throughout the year.

Scaling up: Partnering with Ministry of Green Economy and Environment has enhanced the institutions contributions to policy formulation. M.S.A intends to replicate the work by establishing regional manufacturing plants in Zambia through partnerships with communities such as cooperatives and other like-minded institutions as well as individuals. M.S.A has partnered with MGEE in Zambia for expansion purposes whereby Mumbwa district in Central Province has been identified as one possible area for replication considering that Mumbwa district has got a huge population whose main stay is farming mostly maize.

Scaling out: M.S.A is currently sourcing funds to manufacture green charcoal for purposes of meeting the already established huge demand as well as expand its market. Once a manufacturing plant is established in Nakonde, it will be easy to roll out to other regions of the country. East Africa via Tanzania is also earmarked for expansion in terms of market considering the huge demand for charcoal.

Future

Opportunities available:

Investing in research and development can lead to product innovation and process improvements. Exploring ways to enhance the efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and environmental benefits of green charcoal production could create a competitive edge such as charcoal producer's and trader’s network.
Offering training programs and workshops to local communities on green charcoal production techniques, sustainable resource management, and environmental conservation can empower individuals and communities, while also increasing the adoption of the product.
Collaborating with governmental agencies focused on environmental conservation, green economy, and energy access can provide the initiative with policy support, resources, and potential funding. Partnerships with local authorities can also facilitate compliance with regulations.
There is a growing demand for cleaner and more sustainable energy sources both locally and globally. The initiative can tap into this market by scaling its production and distribution to meet the energy needs of households, businesses, and potentially even institutions in Zambia and beyond.

Support and financing needed:

MSA would need funding to invest in the fabrication and maintenance of necessary equipment for green charcoal production, including kilns, crushers, mixers, and briquette molding machines. This funding could help upgrade equipment for higher efficiency and capacity.
Financial support for research and development would enable MSA to explore ways to improve the production process, enhance product quality, and potentially develop value-added products related to green charcoal.
Funding for training programs would allow MSA to provide comprehensive training to local communities, especially young people and women, on various aspects of green charcoal production, including sustainable resource management, production techniques, safety measures, and environmental conservation.
To meet the increasing demand for green charcoal, funding would be required to scale up production capacity. This could involve expanding production facilities, sourcing larger quantities of raw materials, and hiring additional labor.
Funds to establish a manufacturing shelter or facility for green charcoal production and storage would ensure continuous production throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions.
Funding would be necessary for expansion efforts, such as replicating the initiative in other regions of Zambia or neighboring countries, as well as establishing regional manufacturing plants.