Turning trash into light

Hey,

Welcome to Green Jobs Rising!

This is our spotlight edition where we highlight the work of African professionals driving change in the climate sector.

Today, we explore an important question: How can plastic and e-waste be reused for good?

Meet Aluwaine Tanaka Manyonga, an entrepreneur and energy innovator from Zimbabwe. 

Mr Aluwaine is a trained electrical engineer, and the founder of Zartech (Zambezi Ark Technologies), where he develops clean energy solutions tailored to communities facing limited or unreliable access to electricity.

One of his standout innovations is the Chigubhu Lantern, a solar-powered lighting solution made from recycled plastic bottles and electronic waste. 

This innovation brings circular economy principles to life while addressing the urgent need for safe and reliable lighting in underserved communities.

The Chigubhu Lantern has contributed to:

• Extended study hours for learners

• Reduced dependence on unsafe lighting alternatives

• Creation of opportunities for local skills development in renewable energy and waste repurposing

To date, the initiative has achieved the following, among other ongoing impacts:

• Reached over 50 schools

• Recycled more than 200 kg of electronic waste

• Repurposed over 500 kg of plastic waste

• Distributed more than 5,000 Chigubhu Lanterns

• Reached over 1,000 students, teaching them renewable energy skills, promoting circular economy solutions, and creating job opportunities.

These figures underline measurable milestones, but they do not fully capture the broader community and environmental benefits generated through the project.

Beyond his innovative work, Aluwaine was selected as a scholar by the Mandela Rhodes Foundation, recognising his leadership and commitment to transformative change.

Through engineering expertise, entrepreneurial drive, renewable energy innovation, and a strong social vision, Aluwaine Manyonga represents a new generation of African climate innovators who are not only responding to energy access challenges, but actively shaping the future of sustainable development, one community at a time.

As we celebrate Aluwaine Tanaka, have you registered yet for our upcoming online forum?

If not, you’re about to miss incredible insights on how to position yourself for opportunities in the clean energy industry.

Don’t miss it.

📅 Tomorrow - Tuesday, 10 March 2026
⏲️ 10:00 EAT · 8:00 WAT · 9:00 SAST
🎟  Limited to 500 participants (first come, first served)

Secure your spot and take the next step into clean energy.

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