Community Innovators Lead Wood Innovation to Safeguard Forests in Tanzania

Posted on : Monday , 1st December 2025

In Zanzibar’s Pangawe area, a group of young innovators is transforming how communities cook by turning sugarcane wood waste into clean, efficient charcoal briquettes. Their initiative is being celebrated as a game changing step towards protecting forests, improving public health, and creating sustainable livelihoods for youth. The innovation aligns with Tanzania’s growing drive to promote clean energy and reduce pressure on wood resources, especially as the nation seeks to expand access to modern cooking solutions.
 

Led by environmental engineer Michael Alfred, the team developed a simple yet effective process that converts sugarcane residues abundant across Zanzibar’s bustling juice markets into high-quality charcoal. The production involves drying, carbonizing, grinding, and blending the waste with cassava flour to form solid briquettes. These briquettes burn longer, emit minimal smoke, and provide a cleaner alternative to traditional wood charcoal. A kilogram of the eco-charcoal, priced at Sh1,000, can cook meals for an entire family, offering both affordability and sustainability.
 

The project, launched in 2023, is already bringing visible change. More than 30 young people are directly employed, gaining technical skills and steady income. Many small hotels and food vendors have adopted the briquettes, appreciating their efficiency and cleanliness. According to Abdulmalik Seif Issa, the project secretary, this initiative has given young people purpose and pride. It is not only about energy - it is about creating jobs and hope for our community.
 

Residents who have switched to sugarcane wood charcoal are praising the results. Aisha Badulla, a local user, described the briquettes as clean, long lasting, and smoke-free. Such community feedback highlights the growing acceptance of alternative fuels in households and small businesses, proving that innovation at the grassroots level can successfully drive behavioural change toward sustainability.
 

Government institutions have also recognized the initiative’s potential. The Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar, through the Ministry of Information, Youth, Culture, and Sports, has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting youth led clean energy projects. Minister Tabia Mwita Maulid stated that dedicated and innovative young people will continue to receive assistance to scale up their ventures. Similarly, the Zanzibar Youth Council is working closely with such initiatives to connect them with investors and policy opportunities under the National Clean Cooking Energy Strategy 2024–2034.
 

By transforming wood waste into a valuable energy source, the Pangawe project is proving that renewable innovation can thrive locally while supporting national climate goals. It reflects how community-driven ideas can contribute to forest conservation, job creation, and energy security.