Local Innovator Turns Food Waste into Clean Cooking Gas with EcoIgnite

Local innovator Andrew Sahr Norma, CEO of EcoIgnite, is drawing attention for his groundbreaking waste-to-biogas project, which converts food waste into clean, safe cooking gas.

Using biogas digesters designed and developed by Norma himself, the initiative tackles two of Sierra Leone’s pressing challenges: the growing accumulation of organic waste in urban areas and the high environmental and financial costs of traditional charcoal use.

To date, EcoIgnite has processed more than 120 tonnes of food waste, supplying clean cooking gas to major institutions such as the Tacugama Chimpanzee Sanctuary, the University of Makeni, and the Waterloo Council Canteen.

Norma is now seeking partnerships to scale the project to all major communities in Sierra Leone, aiming to make clean cooking energy accessible to more households while reducing urban waste.

The project also aligns with global Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action), demonstrating how local solutions can contribute to environmental protection while improving affordability for families.

Observers say EcoIgnite’s initiative is a game-changer for Sierra Leone, offering a sustainable model that addresses waste management, climate change, and energy access simultaneously.