This innovation is being hailed as an important step toward protecting the environment, improving community health, and creating jobs for young people
Unguja. As Tanzania continues to grapple with the challenge of accessing clean cooking energy, a group of young innovators from Pangawe, Unguja, has developed a unique technology that transforms sugarcane waste into alternative charcoal.
This innovation is being hailed as an important step toward protecting the environment, improving community health, and creating jobs for young people.
According to the Zanzibar State of the Environment Report (2021), more than 90 percent of rural households still rely on firewood and traditional wood charcoal for cooking. This heavy dependence has been a leading driver of deforestation across the islands.
The 2023 forest inventory revealed alarming declines in mangrove forests. In Unguja, mangrove wood volume dropped from 41 cubic metres in 2013 to just 18.9 cubic metres, while in Pemba, the decline was from 39.8 to 38.3 cubic metres.
Forest loss is estimated at 1.2 percent annually, equivalent to 1,277 hectares, caused by charcoal burning, construction, infrastructure development, and the effects of climate change.
In response, the government has pledged to restore degraded forests through large-scale tree-planting initiatives, working hand in hand with local communities.
It has also committed to scaling up access to clean cooking energy. However, the transition has faced significant barriers, including high costs, limited availability of appliances, and community perceptions about clean energy.
It is within this context that the Pangawe youth initiative has emerged as a promising solution, demonstrating how innovation at the grassroots can complement national climate action goals.
Turning waste into fuel
Environmental engineer Michael Alfred, who helped design the project, explains that the group explored different types of waste to identify which could most easily be converted into energy. They discovered that sugarcane waste abundant in Zanzibar due to the thriving juice market—was ideal.
The process involves drying, carbonization, grinding, and mixing with cassava flour to produce compact, high-quality charcoal briquettes.
“Fresh sugarcane waste is first sun-dried for one to three days, depending on its moisture level. It is then placed in a special barrel for partial burning, or carbonization, before being ground into fine powder. The powder is mixed with cooked cassava flour, which acts as a binder,” Michael explained.
Three kilograms of cassava flour are mixed with fifty kilograms of sugarcane powder to produce durable briquettes that burn longer and emit less smoke than traditional charcoal. A kilogram of this charcoal retails at Sh1,000 and is already being purchased by households and small hotels.
“That amount of charcoal can cook meals for a family of up to five people for an entire day,” he explained. Launched in 2023, the project is expected to run through 2025, aiming to provide affordable energy, reduce urban waste, and combat environmental degradation caused by wood charcoal.
Economic and social benefits
So far, the initiative has employed more than 30 young people, offering them both income and hands-on skills.
Abdulmalik Seif Issa, secretary of the group, highlighted the social impact, “We are proud to see young people earning a living through this innovation. The market is still small, but demand is gradually growing. Some food vendors and hotels have started buying from us.”
Beyond its environmental benefits, the briquettes are also healthier for users. Unlike traditional charcoal, they produce minimal smoke, reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses.
A resident of Mwembetanga and one of the customers Aisha Badulla shared her experience that, “This charcoal is excellent. It lasts longer than firewood, produces no smoke, and does not leave dirt behind. I believe more people should be educated to adopt this energy.”
Challenges facing the project
Despite its success, the project faces multiple obstacles. Abdulmalik Seif Issa said first is the lack of equipment stressing that, “the group currently owns only one machine, resulting in long production queues and delays.
Second is the absence of a formal market, which forces us to rely on leaflets, community sensitization, and exhibitions to attract customers”.
Community skepticism also remains a hurdle, as many households doubt whether sugarcane briquettes can fully replace wood charcoal. Additionally, the group lacks a permanent workspace, limiting their productivity and efficiency.
Yussuf Seif Issa, one of the project trainers, stressed the importance of government support, “If the government can provide us with a dedicated space to build a factory and help us access larger markets, both domestically and internationally, this project could transform the clean energy sector in Zanzibar.”
Government and institutional support
The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, through the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture and Sports, has reiterated its commitment to supporting youth-led innovations.
Minister Tabia Mwita Maulid stated “We will ensure that young people who show dedication and creativity in job-creating projects receive financial assistance and market access to grow their services.”
Similarly, Salum Amer, Executive Secretary of the Zanzibar Youth Council, said the council is actively encouraging young people to explore such opportunities while also forwarding their challenges to government authorities for solutions.
The need for urgent change
Experts argue that if sugarcane charcoal receives adequate investment and policy support, it could significantly reduce reliance on wood-based energy.
Michael emphasized the urgency:
“Deforestation not only accelerates climate change but also threatens food security and water resources. This project shows that waste can be turned into wealth, while saving forests and protecting livelihoods.”
The National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy 2024–2034 underscores this vision. One of its expected outcomes is the expansion of innovative cooking energy technologies. The strategy highlights research and innovation as key pillars in driving adoption of clean and affordable cooking solutions.
By aligning with this strategy, projects like the Pangawe sugarcane briquette initiative are positioning themselves as catalysts for change, bridging the gap between policy aspirations and practical solutions.
This story is sponsored by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
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