Eco-Fuel Africa

Finalist 2015

In the past five years, Eco-Fuel Africa has been working with local communities in Uganda to convert locally sourced biomass waste into clean and affordable cooking fuel - green charcoal - using local technology.

The aim is to halt deforestation, reduce climate change impacts and indoor air pollution, and boost rural employment. The green charcoal has the advantages of burning longer and cleaner, and costs 50% less that charcoal made of wood.

Within five years, Eco Fuel Africa has managed to expand its customer base to over 115,000 households leading to household savings of over 200 dollars in energy costs per year. In addition, it has created 4,840 direct jobs by establishing a network of women micro-entrepreneurs who sell the green charcoal and earn average annual incomes of close to 1,400 dollars.