Lesotho and South Africa (Bloemfontein / township contexts)

Introduce high-efficiency stoves using agricultural waste rather than paraffin to reduce smoke exposure and fuel costs, with local manufacturing of a lower-cost “bucket” version to support affordability

Active

introduced commercially around 2019–2021; evolving into local manufacturing

Distribution of ACE One stoves and locally built “bucket” stoves that burn biomass (twigs, dung, shells) instead of paraffin; iterative adaptation based on township realities and uptake conditions

Negotiated rights for the Dutch company in South Africa; now innovates lower-cost local versions to meet affordability needs

• Health: 97% less smoke; reported 27% decrease in worker illness during winter

• Efficiency: saves women approximately two hours/day on firewood collection

• Economic: <1 tablespoon paraffin equivalent provides 8 hours of heat

• Demonstrated that high-tech features (e.g., app connectivity) do not translate into township contexts where smartphones are limited;

• confirmed affordability as decisive (2,000 Rand not viable; ~700 Rand viable);

• positioned household energy as an entry point to dignity, health, and economic resilience