Kigoma. In Simbo Village, in Tanzania’s western Kigoma Region, a quiet story of economic transformation and environmental conservation is taking shape, driven by an innovator who has learned to see palm waste not as rubbish, but as a resource.
Kigoma Region produces more than 80 percent of Tanzania’s palm oil. Local studies indicate that about 80 percent of rural households and farmers in key producing areas, such as Kigoma District, depend on palm cultivation and related activities as their primary source of livelihood and income.
Against this backdrop, Hassan Kilanoza has chosen to look beyond the palm fruit itself, turning what is normally discarded as waste into a source of energy, income and employment.
While many people see palm husks and shells as waste to be discarded, Kilanoza sees valuable raw materials capable of transforming the lives of hundreds of young people and women in the region.
Kilanoza, a veteran farmer with 28 years of experience in palm cultivation, has become a notable figure in the district after establishing a circular economy system that seeks to utilise virtually every part of the palm fruit, leaving little to waste.
Through his small processing facility, visited by The Chanzo, Kilanoza has demonstrated that addressing energy challenges and climate change does not necessarily require sophisticated technology. Sometimes, it requires innovation, determination and the ability to see opportunity where others see waste.
Turning Palm Fruit into Multiple Products
Kilanoza says his palm processing activities generate 14 different products, meaning almost nothing is discarded as waste. Every stage of the production process produces something that can be reused or sold.
The process begins with the palm fruit, locally known as ‘ngazi’, which is pressed to extract palm oil. The resulting residues, including fibres, shells and wastewater, are then put to further use rather than being released into the environment.
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“The wastewater is used to produce fertiliser and biogas. When the residue is pressed further, it produces oil used to make traditional soaps, popularly known as ‘Kigoma soaps’,” Kilanoza says.
The fibres are also used as fuel, while the palm shells serve as firewood for various activities at the processing facility, including boiling the palm fruit and oil.
“Even the fibres and shells are used as energy for our processing activities. Instead of using firewood, we use these materials to generate heat for boiling the palm fruit and oil. This helps reduce the use of firewood,” he says.
Turning Waste into Cleaner Energy
Kilanoza has also turned palm shells and other solid waste into briquettes that can burn for more than 12 hours without going out. The briquettes produce little or no smoke and are sold at an affordable price of Sh400 per kilogramme.
Data from Global Forest Watch shows that Tanzania lost more than two million hectares of tree cover between 2001 and 2023, amid growing human activities, tree cutting and the effects of climate change.
Environmental experts estimate that producing a 100-kilogramme bag of conventional charcoal can require between three and five trees.
Kilanoza says his production of about 10 tonnes of briquettes per day has the potential to save between 300 and 500 trees that would otherwise be cut to produce conventional charcoal.
For a region endowed with forests and important water resources, including Lake Tanganyika, the innovation offers both an environmental and economic opportunity.
“With this production of briquettes, we significantly reduce dependence on conventional charcoal, which drives deforestation. This technology therefore helps conserve forests, protect the environment and ensure that water sources remain safe,” Kilanoza says.
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Creating Jobs and Sharing Skills
Beyond producing energy, Kilanoza’s initiative has become a source of employment and skills development.
He currently employs 15 people—10 women and five men—while his training programmes have reached more than 108 young people who have subsequently become trainers themselves.
They now teach others how to produce briquettes and biogas, charging a training fee of Sh50,000. The initiative offers young people an alternative to remaining unemployed while waiting for government jobs.
Over the past two years, through the VOICES project funded by Catholic Relief Services (CRS), Kilanoza has expanded his training activities across Kigoma Region, teaching young people, women and men about circular economy practices.
He says the initiative has established training classes attended by more than 700 people.
Technology Driving Palm Oil Production
Kilanoza’s innovation extends beyond energy production. He has also developed modern machinery for processing palm fruit and residues.
So far, he says, he has manufactured more than 60 machines for fellow farmers.
The technology is intended to address challenges associated with traditional processing methods, which farmers say can cause palm oil to deteriorate quickly and reduce its quality in the market.
“We have improved the technology by manufacturing modern machines for processing ‘ngazi’ and palm residues, and we have already produced more than 60 machines for our fellow farmers,” Kilanoza says.
The spread of the technology has helped improve the quality of palm oil produced in the area, where many households depend on palm cultivation as a commercial crop and source of income.
Government and Partners Step In
Kilanoza’s work has attracted support from the community, government institutions and development partners.
Kigoma District Agricultural Officer Ramadhan Mpasiwakomu says efforts are underway to help Kilanoza access financing through the Tanzania Agricultural Development Bank (TADB) so that he can expand his environmental conservation activities.
“We are working to identify financing opportunities through the agricultural bank so that he can increase production and continue developing his innovation,” Mpasiwakomu tells The Chanzo.
Kigoma District Council Community Development Officer George Vangesauli says the council has also been involving Kilanoza in agricultural and business exhibitions, including the Sabasaba trade fair.
“We have been involving him in exhibitions such as Sabasaba to give him an opportunity to promote his innovation and reach more people from different parts of the country and abroad. The government recognises and appreciates his contribution,” Vangesauli says.
Development partners also see Kilanoza’s innovation as an opportunity to support communities while addressing environmental challenges.
Simon Mwanjera of Catholic Relief Services says that through the VOICES project, Kilanoza is expected to receive a grant that will enable him to establish a larger briquette production facility.
“We are supporting him through the VOICES project so that he can secure a grant to build a larger factory, increase production and, at the same time, help remove palm waste generated by farming activities in Simbo Village and neighbouring areas,” Mwanjera says.
The Road Ahead
Despite the progress, Kilanoza’s ambitions remain constrained by limited capital.
He needs additional machinery to increase briquette production, but says a single modern machine costs more than Sh10 million.
“We need more machines to increase production, but one modern machine costs more than Sh10 million. It is therefore a major challenge for us to purchase them using our own resources,” he says.
Frequent power interruptions also continue to affect production, according to Kilanoza. At times, he says, the disruptions force him to sell part of what he has produced just to raise money to finance the next production cycle.
Yet, from the palm fields of Simbo, Kilanoza’s experience offers a broader lesson: what is considered agricultural waste can become a source of clean energy, employment and income while helping communities protect the natural resources on which their future depends.
Adela Madyane is a journalist based in Kigoma. She can be reached at vek3cutes@gmail.com.
