WOTe Stove

Cooking Easier and Breathing Smarter

The Problem

In Tanzania, traditional cooking methods, especially the use of firewood and charcoal, continue to affect household health, economic stability, and the environment. Many women and children spend hours in smoke-filled kitchens, putting them at risk of respiratory diseases. At the same time, in urban centers like Mwanza, used engine oil from vehicle service garages is often improperly discarded, burned, or dumped, leading to potential soil contamination and air pollution. While both issues have long existed in isolation, they point to a broader need for cleaner, safer, and more sustainable energy alternatives.

Our Solution

WOTe Stove presents a clean energy innovation that turns filtered waste engine oil into safe, affordable cooking fuel. The stoves is equipped with heat-resistant plates, air vents, and intuitive controls that offer up to 5 hours of cooking time per litre of oil. A dedicated filtration unit ensures the oil is cleaned of heavy metals and contaminants before use. Designed to meet the needs of both households, institutions and businesses, the solution not only addresses the challenges of unsafe cooking fuels but also gives new purpose to a hazardous waste product paving the way for a circular, community-rooted energy model.

Our Impacts

WOTe Stove joined the Ifakara Innovation Hub in 2023 with a bold vision: to make clean cooking accessible through a solution rooted in environmental conservation. With $5,000 in seed funding and technical mentorship, the team refined their early prototypes, built an oil filtration system, and launched initial production. To date, WOTe Stove filters and repurposes over 30,000 litres of used engine oil monthly, helping reduce environmental waste while lowering fuel costs for families and institutions. As the team continues to grow, they are working to scale into more regions, advocate for clean cooking, and train women and youth to become agents in clean energy entrepreneurship.