Toward Adaptation of Briquettes Making Technology for Green Energy and Youth Employment in Tanzania: A Review

Abstract

Briquette technology is an alternative green energy source to offset the increasing demand for charcoal and firewood to save the forests and the environment while creating employment for youth and women. Using the scoping and realistic review techniques, a review study was conducted to establish the briquette technology’s existence, and its value chain, identify stakeholders and challenges along the value chain and explore the policies supporting the technology and potential employment opportunities for youth in the green energy sector. The review results indicated that the briquette technology value chain consists of sourcing raw materials, production process, distribution, and consumption as its components while transportation, storage or packaging, marketing, and training are its supporting services. In addition, it was found that stakeholders in the value chain are manufacturers, producers, and supporting service providers who differ based on their formalities, such as groups, companies, government organizations, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), institutions, and enterprises. Furthermore, five challenges were identified that impair the briquette adoption. They include the technology, raw materials, and the quality of briquettes, promotion, and marketing. Also, the study found that there are limited policies that provide a conducive environment for briquette technology to flourish. The study concludes that briquette technology exists in Tanzania. However, it is not yet matured as compared to the developed countries, and the technology is not backstopped by existing policies. The study recommends the briquette technology as a viable employment opportunity, especially for youth and women; therefore, the formulated briquette value chain should be utilized for easy coordination of stakeholders and deployment of the technology. Also, there is a need to create awareness and innovative strategies for promoting and engaging more stakeholders in the technology through the policies that explicitly insist on adopting the briquette technology.