By ANNIE ZULU
GREEN
Technology is becoming increasingly critical in addressing climate change and
is currently a male-dominated field, despite women being more affected by this
global phenomenon than men.
A
recent study by the Women Entrepreneurship Knowledge Hub shows the existing
disparity between men and women working in the clean energy industry in 2020;
30% female to 70% male.
However,
this might soon change as more women are joining the industry and changing that
narrative by taking the lead in developing Green Tech innovations to help
protect the planet.
Green
Technology is an umbrella term that describes the use of technology and science
to create products and services that are environmentally friendly.
Jane Nakasamu ,26, is one of young
female Green Tech innovators in Zambia who are making a mark with their
innovations in the country.
Chief Executive Officer-Greenbelt Energy Zambia Jane Nakasamu
Jane is a Renewable Energy Expert and Chief Executive Officer for Greenbelt Energy
Zambia, a company bottling biogas from organic waste and producing smart
stoves, as an affordable energy solution that enables primarily women to cook
fast, safe and clean.
According
to her, the high rate of deforestation in Zambia prompted her to set up her company and be part of the people offering solutions to climate
change.
¨In
Zambia 90% of the population are dependent on charcoal and firewood for
cooking, this has led to charcoal led to deforestation, making Zambia one of
the highest in the world with 300,000 ha of forest being lost every year, so
Greenbelt Energy is a social enterprise saving trees and lives, ¨ Jane said.
She
works with women, youths and farmers in selected communities around the country
to turn waste into energy.
¨
We are currently working in Lusaka, Kitwe and Chipata where we have 100 direct sales agents mostly women and youths who effectively distribute our
products to target customers. We recently conducted in feasibility study in
Chipata in partnership with the Global Council for Sustainable Industrial
Development and Msekera Junction Industrial Park to provide biogas a biogas
stoves to 2,500 households within the industrial park, she said.
Her innovation has won awards among them, the 2021 Meaningful Business Award, 2021 SEED Award,
2020 Africa Funding Tour Award, 2019 Boost up award from the Southern African
Innovation Support Program and 2019 Fembiobiz Award from the Southern African
Network for Biosciences.
Jane
was in 2021 also appointed by the World Business Angels Investment Forum as an
International Partner for Zambia during its Grand Assembly.
¨I have always dreamed of becoming a diplomat, the appointment enables me to
function as an 'International Business Diplomat' supporting start-ups and
companies in Zambia to access the world’s equity investment markets and, Zambia
will now be able to connect more with the global investors market, which will
open up splendid opportunities for the country,¨ she said.
Several
investors have shown interest too in funding her innovation and talks are still
ongoing.
Asides
the business aspect, Jane has been active in advocacy work on climate change
too, as she views it a serious issue that needs to be addressed urgently.
She
has been sensitizing young people in communities, mainly on the effects of
deforestation.
¨We
have had trainings with young people on climate change, we can not ignore it
anymore, because its impact is been seen and felt. Over the years in Zambia we
have our rain season delayed. If we do not pay much attention it may be even
worse than covid-19,¨ she said.
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