BioHeat Solutions Tanzania

BioHeat Solutions Tanzania

BioHeat Solutions Tanzania

Transforming agricultural waste into clean-burning bio-briquettes to reduce deforestation, indoor air pollution, and energy poverty.

Dodoma, Tanzania

TZA

Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit

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Problem Statement for BioHeat Brix Over 85% of Tanzanian households rely on charcoal or firewood for daily cooking, contributing to severe deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions, and indoor air pollution. Charcoal use alone is responsible for an estimated 40 million trees being cut annually in Tanzania. In Sub-Saharan Africa, over 950 million people depend on biomass for energy, leading to dangerous health consequences indoor air pollution causes approximately 600,000 premature deaths in Africa each year, disproportionately affecting women and children. The root causes include lack of access to affordable, clean alternatives and limited energy infrastructure in rural and peri-urban communities. The high cost of gas or electric cooking fuels makes clean energy inaccessible to low-income populations, especially in rural regions where energy poverty remains high. This creates a cycle of environmental degradation and health risks, all while intensifying climate change through unsustainable biomass harvesting. BioHeat Brix tackles this problem at the intersection of energy poverty, environmental degradation, and public health by offering a scalable, clean, and affordable cooking energy solution. By replacing charcoal and firewood with carbon-neutral agricultural waste briquettes, we reduce dependence on deforestation-linked fuels and improve health outcomes.

BioHeat Brix is a clean energy solution that transforms agricultural waste—such as maize stalks, rice husks, and coconut shells into affordable, clean-burning bio-briquettes for cooking. These briquettes are designed to replace traditional charcoal and firewood, offering a smokeless, long-lasting, and carbon-neutral alternative. The process involves collecting agricultural residues from local farmers, drying and crushing the materials, and compressing them into dense briquettes using a low-tech mechanical press powered by solar energy. The result is a clean fuel that burns longer than charcoal, emits 70% less smoke, and costs 30% less per kilogram. The technology is simple and replicable: we use solar dryers, carbonization kilns, and manual or semi-automated briquette machines to ensure cost-effective production. We also train local women and youth to operate the machines and distribute the product, creating green jobs while ensuring community ownership. BioHeat Brix is currently in pilot production and serves over 50 households. We aim to scale to 5,000 households within two years, drastically reducing deforestation, emissions, and respiratory diseases.

BioHeat Brix serves low-income households in rural and peri-urban communities in Tanzania, where over 85% of people rely on charcoal or firewood for daily cooking. These families, particularly women and children, suffer from indoor air pollution, with respiratory illnesses accounting for 11% of under-five child deaths in the country (WHO, 2021). In addition, households spend up to 30% of their income on unsustainable fuels. Our primary beneficiaries are women-led households earning less than $2.50/day, who are disproportionately affected by the time, health, and financial burdens of traditional cooking methods. We also target unemployed youth and smallholder farmers who can benefit from new income opportunities through biomass supply and briquette distribution. BioHeat Brix reduces household fuel costs by up to 30%, eliminates exposure to harmful smoke, and saves women up to 8 hours per week previously spent collecting firewood. By using agricultural waste, the solution also boosts farmer income and reduces environmental degradation. By improving health, saving money, and restoring degraded lands, BioHeat Brix empowers vulnerable communities to break cycles of poverty and climate vulnerability, while contributing to Tanzania’s transition to clean energy access and climate resilience.