Revolutionising clean cooking with Stainless Steel Innovation
The 2024 Sassda & Columbus Stainless Awards recognised an exceptional achievement in the export category, bestowing the Export Achievement Award on Ener-G-Africa (EGA). This accolade honours EGA’s commitment to innovation, sustainability and quality in delivering an advanced biomass stove and the eCO2-pot to millions of households across Sub-Saharan Africa. EGA’s work exemplifies how engineering, driven by user-centric design and high-quality materials like stainless steel, can create life-changing products for global markets.
Cooking for rural communities
EGA’s journey to winning the Export Achievement Award began with a profound understanding of the needs of rural communities where traditional cooking methods typically involve the use of charcoal or wood, which are both not ideal fuels. Using charcoal, although effective, is costly and contributes to environmental degradation. The use of increasingly scarce wood, although often free, leads to deforestation. Both also present health risks due to excessive smoke and carbon emissions.
EGA’s response to these challenges is the Rocket Advanced Biomass Stove designed with efficiency, cost-effectiveness and user safety in mind. The stove is engineered to use over 60% less fuel than traditional “three stone” cooking fires, which is ideal for households where fuel availability is limited. Moreover, the stove’s design concentrates heat more effectively, reducing cooking time and harmful emissions that contribute to respiratory illnesses.
The stove is not just a product; it is a solution to some of the most pressing issues faced by communities in Sub-Saharan Africa. By 2024, EGA had successfully exported over seven million Rocket stoves to households in 12 countries including Mozambique, Angola, Zimbabwe, Malawi and South Africa. Widespread adoption is a testament to the stove’s ability to meet the needs of rural families while contributing to environmental conservation.
Innovation in stainless steel cookware
EGA didn’t stop at stoves. The company’s innovative spirit led to the development of the eCO2-pot – a cookware range designed to maximise the efficiency of the Rocket stoves. The eCO2-pot is made from ferritic stainless steel chosen for its exceptional durability, thermal conductivity and low
thermal expansion rate. These properties are crucial for cookware that needs to withstand daily use while maintaining safety and efficiency.
The eCO2-pot features double-insulated sides, which significantly increase the surface area that conducts heat from the stove to the contents of the pot. This design innovation not only speeds up cooking but also ensures even heat distribution and thus better cooking results. By choosing stainless steel, EGA has provided households with cookware that is not only safe and long-lasting but also enhances the overall cooking experience.
Cost and quality competitiveness
Aluminium products, often found in rural markets, can cause health conditions such as neurological and bone disorders. EGA’s stainless steel products are free from these risks, providing consumers with a safe alternative.
Sourcing stainless steel within South Africa has also enabled the company to keep costs competitive while ensuring high quality. The durability and recyclability of stainless steel contribute to its cost-effectiveness over the product’s lifespan, offering consumers better value for money. Focus on quality control and management ensures every product EGA exports meets stringent safety and performance standards, making them acceptable and
affordable in various market segments.
Overcoming export challenges
EGA’s success in exporting products across Africa was hard-earned. One of the most significant hurdles was overcoming reliance on road transport for distribution. Poor road conditions in many regions, the unpredictable state of vehicles and delays at border posts complicate logistics.
To address these challenges, EGA forged strong partnerships with reliable transport companies specialising in cross-border logistics within Africa. These partnerships have been instrumental in navigating the complexities of road transport, ensuring products reach their destinations promptly and efficiently. By anticipating potential issues and working closely with logistics partners, EGA has maintained a robust export operation despite inherent difficulties.
Job creation and economic impact
EGA’s growth and expansion have significantly improved employment opportunities in South Africa and the continent. Over the past two years, the company has expanded its operations to include new factories in Paarl, South Africa, and a pellet mill and stove assembly plant in Mozambique. These expansions have created numerous jobs, contributing to economic development in the regions where EGA operates.
Additionally, EGA has established 11 retail stores in Malawi and four in Mozambique and plans to open 20 outlets in each of the countries where it operates. These retail outlets not only increase access to EGA’s products but also provide jobs and stimulate local economies.
EGA’s recognition in the 2024 Sassda & Columbus Stainless Awards underscores the company’s dedication to innovation, quality and sustainability. By focusing on the needs of rural communities and leveraging the unique properties of stainless steel, EGA has created products that are not only life-changing but also export-ready. Its achievements in clean cooking technology and stainless steel innovation exemplify the crucial role of engineering in addressing some of the world’s toughest challenges.