Engineer Diana Mbogo, Managing Director of Millennium Engineering Enterprises Limited in Tanzania, has made significant strides in improving the sardine trade around Lake Victoria. Her initiative addresses longstanding issues in the fishing community of Mwanza by introducing modern technology to enhance efficiency and hygiene.
Diana and her team identified a major challenge: traditional open-air drying methods for sardines were unsanitary, time-consuming, and not up to international market standards. “Women, who are the main group engaged in the sardine business, faced significant challenges,” Diana noted. They relied on sun drying methods that were vulnerable to weather changes and kerosene lamps for night fishing which posed safety risks.
To combat these issues, Millennium Engineers developed solar-powered lamps and greenhouse drying facilities. This system allows sardines to be dried in a controlled environment with improved air circulation and protection from contaminants. The result is higher quality dried sardines that meet international standards. “We reduced drying times from 12 hours to five,” Diana shared.
The solar-powered lamps offer an eco-friendly alternative to kerosene lamps used during night fishing. These innovations have economic benefits as well; they reduce costs for fishermen by eliminating the need for expensive kerosene fuel. "Our lamps were developed through a sustainability lens," said Diana.
Initiated in 2021 with personal funding, Diana’s project gained momentum with support from the Rural Energy Agency (REA) under the World Bank's Tanzania Rural Electrification Expansion Project (TREEP). The grant allowed expansion of both drying facilities and lamp distribution within the community.
“Our solar lamps are 40% cheaper than other products on the market,” stated Diana. The shift away from kerosene has also helped reduce pollution by removing over 6,000 acid batteries from Lake Victoria.
Despite initial challenges due to cultural norms, Diana worked closely with local women who experienced up to 70% post-harvest losses during rainy seasons. Now benefiting over 3,000 people through improved livelihoods and market access, Millennium Engineering plans further expansion across Lake Victoria's fishing communities.
Diana aims "to expand our reach across the entire fishing value chain" and bridge gaps between islands and mainland markets. Her work aligns with TREEP’s broader success connecting millions of Tanzanians to reliable electricity services—paving way for ASCENT TZ program aimed at accelerating clean energy solutions nationwide.
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