By: Eranivey Temani

Lilongwe, April 17, Mana; Burn Manufacturing Company has embarked on an initiative to promote modernized charcoal and wood stoves in Malawi.

The company’s Project Manager, Stanley Kahira, announced this on Wednesday in Lilongwe, during a local stakeholder Consultation meeting for Gold Standard Voluntary Project under Effective Clean Cooking Biomass Solutions Program for Africa.

Kahira said the initiative aims to reduce air pollution, promote energy efficiency, and create economic opportunities for people in the country, especially the youth.

"The stove will help Malawians save money and time spent on traditional charcoal stoves, while reducing air pollution,” he said, adding: "The project has created jobs and economic empowerment for the youth, with some employed at the factory in Blantyre and others are working as sales agents, which is vital for the community.

Kahira further acknowledged government’s efforts in finding other means of energy, apart from using charcoal, but he said the carbon used in the company’s stoves is below 2.5 which is not harmful to one's health.

Commenting on the development, Operations Manager for My Community My Responsibility Organization, Glory Chisunkha, welcomed the project, saying it is good for the development of the country.

 "We are satisfied with the collaborative effort towards climate change, and it's a development that will help reduce carbon emissions," she said.

Councilor for Njewa ward in Lilongwe Gift Mtolongo expressed satisfaction for the project, saying it will assist in terms of conservation of the environment.

"The project will help conserve our environment and reduce carbon monoxide emissions compared to traditional charcoal burns. This is a great initiative which members of the community must embrace,” he said

To date, the Company has sold over 14,000 stoves at K10,000 each, targeting primary charcoal users. The company aims to reach over 250,000 households with modernized cook stoves, according to Kahira.

The Kenyan company has a track record of promoting fuel-efficient biomass solutions, and it has reportedly sold 4.8 million appliances in East Africa, since 2013,