Formally established in September 2018<\/strong> with the support of Amref Health Africa, the Kigilagila Group is part of the transformative Taka ni Mali (Waste is Wealth) initiative. Their mission: to clean up their community and turn solid waste into livelihood and dignity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n By January 2019, they had installed their first charcoal briquette making machine worth TZS 15 million<\/strong> through Amref\u2019s Tanzania support. From there, things accelerated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n They learned to produce eco friendly briquettes made from sawdust, ash, and cassava flour providing a cleaner, safer, and more affordable alternative to traditional charcoal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cWe didn\u2019t know taka inaweza kuleta kipato,\u201d says Martha George, a group member. (\u201cWe didn\u2019t know waste could generate income.\u201d)<\/p>\n\n\n\n The briquettes burn longer, produce less smoke, and have helped reduce indoor air pollution. And they\u2019re popular sold at about TZS 500 <\/strong>per kilo, the group often moves up to 200 kg<\/strong> a day, earning over TZS 100,000 <\/strong>daily.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Taka Ni Mali project has generated over 540,000 man hours of work per month, directly benefiting 162 entrepreneurs (71% widows)<\/strong> involved in briquette production. The initiative significantly improved income: the Kigilagila Group\u2019s annual revenue soared from TZS 3 million<\/strong> in 2017 to TZS 24 million in 2023,<\/strong> a 700%<\/strong> increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The project’s ripple effect is clear: the number of customers and beneficiaries grew from 2,811<\/strong> to 18,172<\/strong> in six years a 550%<\/strong> growth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cPersonally, and for my family I have benefited greatly. Before I had no job, I relied on my husband\u2019s income to sustain my family of 4 children. However, after engaging myself in the Taka Ni Mali project, I have become the provider for my family\u2026 I support myself through the work I do<\/em>.\u201d Martha George, Group Member.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThe project inspired widowed women to join together to fight against poverty. TNM brought them together and provided them with entrepreneurship skills and equipment. Now they are running businesses and supporting their families.\u201d<\/em>\u00a0 Juliana Masawe, CHW Kipawa.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Beyond income, Taka Ni Mali is improving public health. In Ilala Municipality, the project helped reduce diarrhoea cases by 11%,<\/strong> eliminated cholera cases (102 to 0<\/strong>), and cut typhoid cases from 6,514 to 196 (2016\u20132022).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cThankful to Amref. There were dirty environments and low community involvement, leading to disease outbreaks. Dengue fever and cholera are no longer a threat. TNM helped to prevent diseases and climate change and facilitated income for women and youth<\/em>.\u201d Fatuma Maduhu, Health Section<\/p>\n\n\n\n The Kigilagila initiative also reached 20,000<\/strong> school children in 10<\/strong> schools with improved sanitation facilities and trained communities on hygiene practices. More than 300<\/strong> women and youth in five groups have improved environmental conditions for over 350,000<\/strong> people, and 50%<\/strong> of them gained health insurance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Through the collection of household waste across five wards (Kiwalani, Buguruni, Kipawa, Vingunguti, and Ukonga), women groups convert 32<\/strong> tons of waste into briquettes per month equivalent to 384 tons per year and 1,920<\/strong> tons of wood saved, preserving nearly an acre of forest annually.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Ilala, waste collection efficiency improved from 35% to over 90%.<\/strong> Households also reduced energy costs by using these high calorie briquettes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Evidence Based Impact<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The broader Taka ni Mali na Afya (Waste for Improved Livelihood and Health) project, implemented from 2020 to 2022<\/strong>, impacted 150,000<\/strong> people across eight wards in Ilala. Its success was quantifiable:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The success of the Kigilagila and other community groups triggered a policy shift: the Ilala Municipal Council updated its guidelines to officially recognize and support community based waste enterprises, especially those led by women and youth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This initiative also catalyzed national conversations on how climate, sanitation, and poverty intersect, placing grassroots waste management at the center of sustainable urban development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What began as a neighborhood cleanup has evolved into a model for sustainable, inclusive development. Through Amref\u2019s Tanzania Climate and WASH programming, funded by Junta de Castilla y Le\u00f3n and implemented with the Government of Tanzania, the Kigilagila Group is now a recognized leader in waste-based entrepreneurship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From waste, they created wealth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From hardship, they built hope.<\/p>\n\n\n\n From Kigilagila, they sparked a movement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Watch the journey of the Kigilagila Group<\/strong> here – https:\/\/youtu.be\/UlETU51ACeU?si=-KtI2uz1WlU7ETlO<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/amref.org\/tanzania\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2025\/08\/041A5615-1024x683.jpg\")
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nEmpowering Women and Communities<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Improving Health, Protecting the Environment<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTackling Climate Change with Local Solutions<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nA Municipal Model for Replication<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
From Dumpsite to Development<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n