Ener-G-Africa wins SASSDA Export Achievement Award
SASSDA Export Achievement Award
Ener-G-Africa (EGA) is proud to announce that we have been awarded the 2024 SASSDA & Columbus Stainless Export Achievement Award.
EGA has been awarded this honour in recognition of the significant growth we are providing 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.
Our CEO, Andre Moolman, says 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.
The award recognises the value of our 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. These are produced at our 3 200m2 manufacturing plant in Berg River in the Western Cape, South Africa, contributing to job creation and stimulating the local economy. Built at a cost of $1 million (USD), it represents EGA’s commitment to local manufacturing.
Local manufacturing
“Two key factors influenced Ener-G-Africa’s decision to manufacture and export our products within Africa,” Andre says. “First, 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. Second, 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 Andre, 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.”
EGA is a Proudly South African member, which means we’re 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, at our plant in Paarl, we also manufacture a range of solar panels, tailored to the needs of the African market, which are distributed throughout South Africa and into Angola, Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
