Air Pollution
Air pollution from indoor cook fires is becoming a leading cause of death worldwide. In Uganda an estimated 13,000 people die every year from health issues related to inhaling smoke emitted from fuel they use for cooking.
Woman-led social enterprise • Eastern Uganda • Since 2012
Clean, Affordable Cooking Energy for Every Household
AEST turns agricultural waste into clean-burning charcoal briquettes and energy-saving cook stoves — protecting Uganda's forests and creating livelihood opportunities for women.
95%of Ugandans rely on wood fuel
55women micro-entrepreneurs
45contracted farmers
2012
Founded in Soroti
Who We Are
A Woman-Led Clean Energy Enterprise
Appropriate Energy Saving Technologies (AEST) LTD is woman-led social enterprise that creates livelihood opportunities for women in the cook stove and fuel value chain in Eastern Uganda. It was founded in June 2012 in response to the increasing scarcity of firewood and wood charcoal in Uganda, and the need for clean sustainable alternative sources of cooking fuel. The enterprise aims to eradicate over dependence on wood fuel in Uganda by making organic charcoal for cooking from agricultural waste as an alternative to wood fuel among households and institutions in urban and peri urban areas in Eastern Uganda.
Vision
To be a provider of affordable clean energy saving cooking solutions of choice.
Mission
To increase usage of affordable clean energy solutions for low income households and institutions that meet customer and environmental needs in Uganda.
Why We Exist
The Problem We Solve
Uganda's dependence on wood fuel is a health, environmental and social crisis. AEST exists to change that.
Deforestation
Most parts of Uganda are currently faced by rapid deforestation. An estimated 120,000 hectares of trees are cut down every year in Uganda to cover wood charcoal and also for firewood. This has left region bear and very vulnerable to climate change.
Energy Access
In Uganda, firewood and wood charcoal are currently the country's most consumed sources of energy with 95% of the population dependent on this. The use of firewood and wood charcoal for cooking has the greatest negative effect on women and girls. Women and girls walk long distances every day in search for firewood, keeping girls out of school and preventing women from performing more productive chores.
What We Make
Our Products
Affordable, clean-burning alternatives to firewood and wood charcoal — made from agricultural waste.
Makaa Charcoal Briquettes
Our briquettes are made from groundnut shells, charcoal dust and waste cassava as binder cheaper alternative source of fuel to firewood and wood…
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Institutional Cook Stoves
Our improved institutional time and energy saving stoves are professionally designed with carefully selected number of bricks depending on the size…
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Makaa Cook Stoves
Our improved energy saving stoves brand named Makaa stoves include a fired clay liner with metal claddings, which improves fuel efficiency, enhances…
Read More13,000Deaths a year from cooking smoke in Uganda
120,000Hectares of trees cut down annually
95%Of Ugandans depend on wood fuel
15Staff members employed
45Contracted farmer suppliers
55Women micro-entrepreneurs distributing our products
Our Impact
Our Impact
AEST measures success in forests saved, families made healthier and women empowered.
Environmental
- Decreasing deforestation for firewood
- Reducing green house gasses emitted through charcoal burning
- Reusing agricultural waste that is otherwise left to rot in the fields or burnt
Economic
- Providing employment for 15 staff members, income for 45 contracted farmers who supply the enterprise with agricultural bio waste and 55 women micro entrepreneurs who distribute the products. By providing locals and engaging farmers in production processes, the enterprise is also helping to create and sustain a local economy that empowers the community to use natural resources sustainably, as opposed to felling trees and burning waste.
- Creating a local sustainable industry that involves the local community in all business aspects, thus benefiting the region economically.
Social
- The enterprise is helping to reduce illnesses related to smoke inhalation.
- Reducing the distances women and girls walk to find firewood for fuel, by providing a reliable delivery service by providing an alternative source of fuel.
The People
Our Team
A woman-led team driving the clean cooking revolution in Eastern Uganda.
Ikalany Betty
Founder and CEO
Acuku Helen Ekolu
Co-founder, Research & Development Officer
Arego Everlyne
Finance & Administration Officer
Asekenye Vivian
Administrative Assistant
Recognition
Awards & Recognitions
AEST's founder and work have been recognised by leading global clean energy and entrepreneurship institutions.
Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award
The Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves is pleased to announce Betty Ikalany as the winner of the inaugural Woman Entrepreneur of the Year Award.
The EILEEN FISHER Women-Owned Business Grant
Supports innovative, women-owned companies that are beyond the start-up phase.
Women's Empowerment Fund (WEF)
A financing mechanism designed to scale effective business models for empowerment through the clean cooking value chain.
Latest Updates
Our News
Stories and milestones from AEST's journey.
December 27, 2016
Lessons from Three Social Entrepreneurs
The panel, 'From Idea to Impact: Lessons from Three Social Entrepreneurs' included Donna Brezinski, founder and CEO of Little Sparrows Technology; Khanjan Mehta, founding director of the Humanitarian Engineering and Social Entrepreneurship (HESE) Program; Betty Ikalany, founder and director of Appropriate Energy Saving Technologies; and MIT alumna Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola MBA '12.
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March 11, 2017
Saving Forests, Supporting Women
In Uganda, Betty Ikalany of Appropriate Energy Saving Technology makes cooking briquettes from agricultural wastes so that women don't have to walk long distances for firewood.
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March 11, 2017
Uganda Innovator & Clean Energy Champion
Founder and CEO of the Teso Women Development Initiatives (TEWDI), community organizer, clean energy champion, IDIN Network member, and single mother of two children, Betty Ikalany has her hands full. Betty grew up and lives in Soroti District in Northeastern Uganda where she found her passion for working with and for people living in poverty.
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