For several months now, Murhula Zigabe has been breeding black soldier flies in Bukavu, in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo. The flies' larvae feed on food waste and are themselves used by local breeders to feed fish, chickens and pigs. Less expensive than traditional animal proteins, Zigabe believes these insects can help combat food insecurity in the region.
In 2018, Zigabe created the company Briquette du Kivu, producing ecological charcoal from organic waste collected from streets or households, like corn cobs and banana peels. It's an environmentally friendly replacement for commonly used charcoal, which contributes to deforestation.
