In 2019 Margaret Yainkain Mansaray from Sierra Leone set off on a journey that has not only changed her own life, but that of her broader community, if not her country. She developed her own cooking stove.
The Female Plight that drove the Invention
As a BSc Energy student at Njala University in Sierra Leone, Mansaray, witnessed witness the hardships of women and girls who daily had to find firewood for cooking in a forest surrounding the university. It was a very dangerous chore, exposing the hapless women to sexual predators and attacks by wild animals. Also, their activities led to rapid deforestation of the area, erosion and other environmental degradation.
Mansaray realised that these chores were not only back-breaking menial jobs but time consuming which the women could better use in income-generating activities. In some communities, girls prioritise wood gathering over education, arriving late at school and unable to concentrate as they were already physically and mentally exhausted. This, according to experts, is one of the contributory factors to the poor educational levels of women in some parts of Africa. The majority of Sierra Leonean women are illiterate, poor and are denied certain basic rights; for example and the right to education. Prior to the war, many rural and deprived families considered girls’ education to be a waste of resources.
Environmentally Friendly Stove and Briquettes
It was this situation that inspired the idea for a cooking stove, the Smart Green Stove and later, the Smart Green Briquette. Mansaray believed these green innovations would not only save cooking time but would ensure women spend most of their time performing valuable jobs to sustain their livelihoods. Her project also bridges the gap between traditional energy sources and modern, environmentally positive solutions. The Smart Green Briquette reduces emissions and fuel consumption and empowers impoverished communities, particularly women, providing them with a sustainable and efficient cooking solution.
Industrial Waste used as Smart Briquettes
According to Mansaray, her stove differs from other similar inventions as it uses agricultural waste to produce charcoal briquettes, reducing deforestation while providing an efficient and cost-effective cooking solution. “The Smart Green Stove’s heat control mechanism ensures optimal fuel consumption, making it a game-changer for households and the environment. This technology-driven approach distinguishes us. We are not just providing products; we’re delivering sustainable, tangible solutions to long-standing energy challenges,” she explained.
She says her green innovation was inspired by a “genuine desire to effect positive change in the lives of these women and girls and to contribute to sustainable and inclusive energy solutions.” “My experience at Njala University served as a catalyst for this transformative endeavour and since then, I’ve been unwavering in my commitment to creating impactful solutions for my community and beyond.”
Benefits of the Smart Green Stove & Briquettes
Apart from providing environmentally friendly cooking solutions for the Green Stove, the Smart Green Briquette also:
- addresses energy challenges faced by inadequate access to clean and affordable clean cooking solutions, especially in marginalised areas.
- reduces emissions and empowers communities, particularly women, with a sustainable cooking option and
- by utilising agricultural waste for charcoal briquettes, the stove minimises environmental impact while maximising socio-economic benefits.
Green Innovation Secures Acknowledgement & Awards
Mansaray entered the innovative stove in the National Youth Innovation Award competition in 2019. Hosted by the United Nations Development Programme Sierra Leone in the Kenema District, she was selected as female runner-up and continues to conduct further research to create various prototypes. Mansaray was also recently selected as the only female finalist for the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation in 2023.
Women in Energy Sierra Leone Limited sees the Light
Mansaray formed and officially established her own company – Women in Energy Sierra Leone Limited on June 15, 2020. Her aim was to develop a pool of professional expert female energy professionals who are pioneers of change in their local communities. She also wanted to encourage commitment towards the promotion and achievement of universal energy access to marginalised and deeply rural communities in her country.
Pioneer for Gender Equality
Mansaray is also using her project to champion gender equality and inclusivity in the energy sector. She is committed to uplifting women and creating opportunities for their advancement in a traditionally male-dominated industry. Her leadership is described as an unwavering commitment towards achieving sustainable, inclusive and innovative solutions.
Symbol of Hope & Inspiration
Mansaray is a beacon of hope and a source of inspiration to young women brimming with innovative ideas to provide dynamic solutions to their communities and the world. It is thanks to her that Sierra Leone ranks among some African that are embracing more inclusive and an environmentally conscious future. Women in Energy Sierra Leone Ltd shows how technology-driven solutions can address global challenges while fostering economic empowerment and communal well-being.
The Long Term goal
Mansaray says her long term goal is to expand the project hoping that more marginalised communities, not only in Sierra Leone, but across the West African region, will also adopt her clean cooking solutions. In addition, she wants to establish production hubs, empower more young women and provide training and capacity building for local communities. “We aim to venture into related areas such as sustainable agriculture and water purification, creating a holistic approach to addressing energy and environmental challenges,” Mansaray explained.
