30/12/2025
At the Innovation Research and Training Centre (INNORET) in Mzuzu, a dynamic group of young change-makers is turning concern into concrete action. Through the INNO Youth Club, students and young professionals are not just learning about environmental challenges, they’re building the solutions with their own hands. Their flagship initiative? The local production and distribution of Chitetezo Mbaula, Malawi’s improved cookstove designed to tackle air pollution, deforestation, and household health risks.
The Chitetezo Mbaula is more than just a stove, it’s a tool for transformation. By burning fuel more efficiently, it significantly reduces harmful indoor smoke, a leading cause of respiratory illness in Malawian households. It also cuts charcoal and firewood use by up to 60%, easing pressure on Malawi’s forests and helping families save time and money.
The INNO Youth Club isn’t just advocating for clean air, they’re manufacturing it. Under the guidance of INNORET’s technical experts, club members are involved in every stage of the stove’s lifecycle: from material sourcing and assembly to quality testing and community demonstrations. This hands-on approach gives them practical skills in entrepreneurship, sustainable technology, and environmental stewardship.
“We’re not waiting for change, we’re building it,” says one of the club’s coordinators Elina Kanyenda. “Every Chitetezo Mbaula we produce is a step toward cleaner air, healthier families, and a greener Malawi.”
The initiative directly supports Malawi’s National Waste Management Strategy, Climate Change Policy, and several Sustainable Development Goals, including SDG 3 (Good Health), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), and SDG 13 (Climate Action). By engaging youth in production, the project also advances SDG 8 (Decent Work) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities).
You can support this youth-driven initiative by purchasing a Chitetezo Mbaula for your home or as a donation to a family in need. Follow INNORET’s journey online or visit their center in Mzuzu to learn more.
📌 Contact INNORET:
📞 +265 994 154 958
📧 [email protected] / [email protected]
www.innoret.org
