Ener-G-Africa (EGA) has been awarded the 2024 Sassda & Columbus Stainless Export Achievement Award for providing significant growth in export sales through innovation, quality and effectiveness. The awards are held by the Southern Africa Stainless Steel Development Association (Sassda) and in 2024 are themed around sustainability.
Ener-G-Africa offers innovative energy access solutions, designed and built in Africa for African needs, including biomass stoves and clean-cooking stove components manufactured with 100% locally made stainless steel. Ener-G-Africa’s CEO, Andre Moolman, says the award is an acknowledgement of the company’s commitment to serving African markets with innovative, affordable and high-quality products that improve the lives of those who use them.
According to Moolman, Ener-G-Africa identified the need for clean-cooking across Sub-Saharan Africa. With the manufacturing centres in both Malawi and South Africa, the company was able to export products easily to other countries on the continent. By 2024, Ener-G-Africa had exported over 7 million Rocket Stoves to households in 12 countries.
“Two key factors influenced Ener-G-Africa’s decision to manufacture and export our products within Africa,” Moolman says. “Firstly, when we assessed the products available in rural areas, it was clear that they were often of poor quality, lacked durability, and were priced beyond the reach of many households. This disparity drove us to create affordable, high-quality, and long-lasting products that could better serve these communities. Secondly, we were deeply concerned by the significant deforestation and environmental degradation caused by traditional cooking methods, which rely heavily on charcoal and wood. In response, we developed our range of clean cooking stoves to significantly reduce the need for these fuels, helping to combat deforestation and lower CO2 emissions, thereby contributing to a healthier environment.”
According to Moolman, the majority of cooking products available in rural African markets have tended to be made from aluminium. “By choosing stainless steel, we were able to manufacture items that are not only stronger and more durable, but also provide better value for money,” he says. “Stainless steel is renowned for its resilience and longevity, making it an ideal material for products that need to withstand heavy use over time. Additionally, stainless steel is widely recognised as a safer option for cookware. Its resistance to corrosion and ability to maintain its structural integrity under high temperatures make it a superior choice for cooking products. By using stainless steel in our manufacturing, we are committed to providing consumers with high-quality, long-lasting, and safe products that offer real value.”
Ener-G-Africa is a Proudly South African member, committed to an uplifting ethos that promotes social and economic change and progress, and to making a meaningful contribution to building South Africa’s economy and alleviating unemployment.
Aside from cookware and stoves, the company also manufactures a range of solar panels tailored to the needs of the African market at its plant in Paarl, which are distributed throughout South Africa and exported to Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
For more information, visit the Ener-G-Africa website, www.ener-g-africa.com