FRANKO FUTE: Turning Waste into Clean Cooking Energy through Youth Innovation

 

By, John Kabambala - kabambalajohn1@gmail.com 

In the context of the International Day of Clean Energy, celebrated on 26 January 2026, the profile of Franko Fute stands out as a powerful reflection of the ability of young Tanzanians to design practical and inclusive solutions to persistent social, health, and environmental challenges. Franko is not merely a name associated with clean energy initiatives; he represents courage, vision, and living proof that innovation grounded in real-life community experiences can transform energy production and consumption systems. Raised in rural and small-town settings, he has successfully elevated the clean energy conversation from theoretical discussions into real household kitchens. His story speaks directly to policymakers, donors, and energy institutions seeking community-driven examples of renewable energy solutions that promote public health, gender equity, and a green economy.

Franko Fute was born in Madaba District, Songea Region, as the firstborn child in the family of Mr. Fute, a position that entrusted him early with moral and social responsibility. Growing up as the eldest child shaped his sense of duty, resilience, and commitment to family wellbeing. From a young age, he learned the importance of supporting younger siblings and becoming a dependable pillar for his parents. Living in Madaba, an area facing significant challenges in accessing clean cooking energy, exposed him early to the heavy burden placed on women and children who rely on firewood and charcoal. These early observations planted the seeds of curiosity and concern that later evolved into his innovative work in clean and renewable energy.

Franko’s formal education journey began at Mashujaa Primary School in Makambako Town, Njombe Region, where he completed his primary education in 2016. This foundational stage played a critical role in shaping his discipline, intellectual curiosity, and passion for practical learning. Teachers quickly recognized his strong interest in science and mathematics, as well as his ability to think critically and solve problems creatively. Makambako, a rapidly growing town still struggling with household energy challenges, allowed Franko to witness firsthand the health and environmental impacts of using un-clean energy sources and low efficient cooking stoves.  These experiences helped him connect classroom knowledge with everyday realities faced by ordinary families.

After completing primary school, Franko joined Muwesi Seminary Secondary School in Tunduru District, Ruvuma Region, where he studied from Form One to Form Four and graduated in 2021. The seminary environment strengthened his moral values, discipline, and reflective thinking, while encouraging a service-oriented mindset. During this period, he continued to excel academically, particularly in science subjects, and demonstrated a unique ability to link academic knowledge with social challenges. Discussions on sustainable development, environmental protection, and social justice further shaped his belief that education must serve as a tool for tangible community transformation.

A major turning point in Franko’s life came when he joined Iyunga Technical Secondary School in Mbeya City for his Advanced Level studies, specializing in Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics (PCM). Iyunga Technical opened the door to the world of engineering, applied technology, and hands-on innovation. While in Form Five, Franko began independent research on renewable energy, focusing specifically on how waste oil could be converted into safe cooking gas. The school’s workshops and laboratories provided him with the confidence to experiment, fail, learn, and improve without fear, nurturing a strong culture of innovation.

During Form Six, Franko fully immersed himself in experimental research aimed at converting waste oil into clean cooking gas suitable for household use. This was not merely a theoretical exercise but a demanding process of practical trials requiring patience, creativity, and technical discipline. He collected waste oil from motorcycles, vehicles, and industrial machines materials often dumped carelessly and harmful to the environment. Through repeated experimentation, he successfully developed a safe method of processing waste oil into a usable cooking energy source with minimal health risks. This achievement demonstrated that waste can become a valuable resource when approached through innovation.

In 2024, Franko completed his Advanced Level education with an impressive Division One result of 1.8 points, confirming his strong academic ability. Contrary to common expectations, he chose not to immediately enroll in university. Instead, he made a bold and strategic decision to temporarily pause formal education and focus on implementing clean cooking energy solutions at the community level. This decision was driven by a deep desire to protect women especially his own mother from the health hazards associated with firewood and charcoal. For Franko, education extended beyond classrooms; it was a call to serve humanity through action.

Franko’s lifelong dream of becoming a mechanical engineer dedicated to solving societal problems gained new clarity as he deepened his understanding of the health and environmental impacts of dirty energy sources and use of low-efficiency cook stoves. Exposure to data on respiratory diseases, women’s labor burden, and deforestation helped him realize that clean energy is not only a technical issue but also a matter of social justice and sustainable development. This awareness shaped him into an innovator with a holistic vision, considering social, economic, and environmental impacts in every solution he designs.

It was at this stage that Franko officially began designing innovative cooking stoves powered by processed waste oil. Starting with simple prototypes, he gradually refined the stove designs based on feedback from early users. The stoves amazed communities by producing a flame similar to conventional gas, while remaining affordable and efficient using only about four liters of waste oil per month per household. What was once considered hazardous waste became a reliable and clean cooking energy source, sparking curiosity and admiration within the community.

In 2025, Franko formally launched the production and distribution of his clean energy stoves, transitioning from individual innovation to social entrepreneurship. Within a short period, he successfully produced and sold over 180 stoves, clearly demonstrating the strong demand for clean cooking energy solutions. These achievements were not only commercial successes but also strong evidence that communities are ready to adopt renewable energy technologies that are safe, affordable, and user-friendly. For policymakers and donors, this provided clear proof of the impact potential of youth-led clean energy innovation.

Initially, Franko operated from Makambako in Njombe Region, where he opened a small office to coordinate production and sales. As demand increased, he relocated operations to Mbeya City, a strategic hub for trade, education, and innovation in Tanzania’s Southern Highlands. This move enabled him to access larger markets, collaborate with educational institutions, and attract development stakeholders. The decision reflects his strategic thinking and long-term vision for sustainable growth.

Through his clean energy stove initiative, Franko has created employment opportunities for five young people three in permanent positions and two on a temporary basis. These jobs provide income, technical skills, and entrepreneurial experience, contributing to youth economic empowerment. His work stands as a strong example of how renewable energy innovation can directly support youth employment agendas, a key priority in both national and regional development strategies.

From a public health perspective, Franko’s stoves significantly reduce exposure to toxic smoke from firewood and charcoal, protecting users particularly women and children from respiratory illnesses. Environmentally, converting waste oil into cooking energy reduces soil and water pollution while easing pressure on forest resources. This aligns his technology with national and global clean energy goals, including the Sustainable Development Goals and climate change mitigation strategies.

Despite financial and technical challenges, Franko has remained resilient, using income from his enterprise to support his family and invest in his personal development. His earnings have improved household welfare and demonstrated how youth innovation can directly uplift families and communities. This underscores the strong return on investment that comes from supporting young innovators.

Eventually, through his own efforts, Franko resumed his academic journey by enrolling at Mbeya University of Science and Technology, where he is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Mechatronics Engineering as a first-year student. This academic path is expected to enhance his technical capacity and enable him to further improve and scale his clean and renewable energy technologies.

At the global level, Franko’s work closely aligns with the key discussions of COP 30 held in Belém, Brazil, in 2025, which emphasized a just energy transition, particularly in developing countries. COP 30 recognized that climate action cannot succeed without addressing clean cooking energy, a sector that directly affects women’s health and environmental sustainability. Franko’s innovation reflects this global call by offering locally grounded, affordable cleanenergy solutions.

For policymakers, Franko’s story highlights the importance of creating enabling environments for youth innovation from secondary education to entrepreneurship. For donors, it demonstrates that investing in practical, community-based innovation yields rapid and measurable impact. For energy institutions, it offers an invitation to collaborate with local innovators who understand community realities.

Overall, the profile of Franko Fute is living evidence that clean and renewable energy solutions are not distant ambitions but achievable realities built through courage, creativity, and collaboration. His journey from Madaba to Mbeya, from classroom experiments to real-world implementation, illustrates the power of youth-led innovation. In 2026 and beyond, Franko’s story continues to illuminate the clean energy discourse, encouraging policymakers, donors, and energy institutions to confidently invest in Tanzania’s young innovators.