Manufacturing Charcoal from Human Waste (Poo) Collected

Kingtom, Sierra Leone: In an Era of 'Green World,' this project aims to protect the environment and improve sanitation, especially in impoverished areas. The charcoal is produced through carbonization to ensure no lingering smell from the human waste.

In recent decades, Sierra Leone has seen a significant increase in the commercial trading of timber and fuelwood products, largely due to the aftermath of the country's civil war.

Commercializing the production and trading of firewood for cooking fuel has led to rapid and alarming deforestation.

READ The impact of human activities on flooding in Freetown—deforestation has led to reduced vegetation cover, increasing soil erosion, and surface runoff.

This project aims to protect the environment and improve sanitation, especially in impoverished areas.

The charcoal is produced through a carbonization process to ensure no lingering smell from the human waste.

The waste product is initially collected and deposited at the treatment plant. The waste (feces) is separated from the liquid at the treatment facility, which then flows into a geo-bag. The fecal matter is then dried in a greenhouse for approximately two weeks, broken down into powder form, and placed in a kiln to produce charcoal briquettes.

Poop-based fuel briquettes—providing an alternative cooking-fuel source

The concept of producing sustainable fuel charcoal using human waste (feces) and sawdust was first introduced in Kenya by a company called Sanivation, creating a new fuel source for cooking.

“The Process In a Video.”

— The Mayor of Freetown, Freetown City Council: Yvonne Aki-sawyerr

By Theo Edwards for YAME

Freetown Cable Car Project Promoted At The Cable Car World Congress In Essen

June 5, 2024: The Cable Car World Congress In Essen, GERMANY

We are thrilled to have had the opportunity to promote the Freetown Cable Car project at the Cable Car World Congress in Essen, Germany. Under the patronage of the German Federal Minister for Digital and Transport Dr. Volker Wissing, the Cable Car World Congress brought together national and municipal government officials, cable car manufacturers, construction companies, professional advisors, and other industry participants committed to the delivery of the cable car as an integrated element of a green, urban mobility solution.

I was honored to be hosted by the Mayor of Essen on Monday evening and to respond to his kind words of welcome. The Congress was officially opened on Tuesday morning with a statement by the German State Secretary for Digital and Transport Hartmut Hoppner. I then delivered a welcome statement and throughout the two-day event, I participated in a panel on the financing of cable cars, presented an overview of the Freetown Cable Car Project, and together with other members of the project team, engaged in a series of bilateral meetings with cable car manufacturers, potential project financiers and advisors. 

The availability of the technical and financial feasibility studies funded by the C40 Cities Climate Finance Facility and undertaken by GIZ increased the level of interest in the project from potential participants. Furthermore, the support for the project by the Sierra Leone Ministry of Transport and the synergies between the Freetown Cable Car Project and the World Bank-funded Integrated and Resilient Urban Mobility Projects strengthens the investment case for the cable car.

The Freetown Cable Car Project currently comprises three proposed lines: the East Corridor; the Mountain Corridor; and the West Corridor. The feasibility studies have been undertaken for the 3.6 km long East Corridor route which will run from Kissy Ferry Terminal to Government Wharf via Up Gun, Mountain Cut, and Eastern Police. The journey time along this route will be reduced to just 14.5 minutes! 

Our discussions and engagements at the Cable Car World Congress have been extremely constructive. We are proceeding with the next steps on the journey to structure and secure the financing for the Freetown Cable Car Project. We hope to complete this important step within 6 to 9 months.

©️Mayor Yvonne Aki-Sawyerr OBE | June 5, 2024

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