Granny Lesiamang is the co-founder of Clauseph BioFuels, a Botswana-based business that produces affordable and energy-efficient biomass stoves and fuel from invasive bush trees. 

FINDING INSPIRATION DURING COVID-19 LOCKDOWNS

Granny, who previously worked with nonprofits in Botswana as a coordinator specializing in sustainable development initiatives, was inspired to start her business during mandatory lockdowns due to COVID-19. 

“Growing up, I was the only girl child with my widowed mom and three brothers. Caregiving and cooking in the home naturally fell to my mom and me, and we had to prepare all meals on an open fire setting using firewood,” Granny shared. “Gradually, we got to the point of using LP gas; however, during pandemic lockdowns with restricted movement and limited funds, I found myself in the same situation as my childhood—using firewood—and I realized this was still the everyday experience for most households in my community.”

Around the same time, Granny also happened to be enrolled in an online business program through the African Leadership Group founded by Fred Swaniker, a Ghanaian entrepreneur and leadership development expert. 

During one of the onboarding sessions, Fred said something that pushed Granny to find a solution to the problem her community was facing—“he said that it is the responsibility of those of us as Africans who have been privileged enough to receive an education and opportunities to solve for the big issues facing our communities and countries.” 

Since that session, Granny has worked to solve the problem through her business, Clauseph BioFuels.

ABOUT CLAUSEPH BIOFUELS 

Clauseph BioFuels specializes in combining biomass waste with invasive bush trees to create bio briquettes. When spreading, invasive species take over land and suppress crop growth, limiting food availability for communities that need it. By using these invasive bush trees, the company helps limit the spread of a species that harms communities and farmland, while also preventing deforestation by encouraging bio briquettes over traditional firewood. 

After finding success manufacturing bio briquettes, Clauseph BioFuels began to manufacture biomass stoves, grills and ovens using metal claddings lined with ceramic from locally sourced clay.

Through these products, Clauseph BioFuels fills a need for affordable clean cooking solutions across Botswana. Since launching in 2021, they have sold solutions to 250 households and 100 food vendors in the community—and are now looking to expand into public institutions. 

JOB CREATION IN BOTSWANA

Botswana, considered by the World Bank to be one of the most unequal countries in the world in terms of poverty rate relative to those with higher income levels, has an unemployment rate of 25.9%.

“Like most African countries, Botswana has high levels of unemployment, especially among the youth,” said Granny. “This is actually one of my primary motivations—a vision to create sustainable employment for youth and women in my country.”

 In addition to the work of Granny and her co-founder, Clauseph BioFuels currently employs six team members—three of whom work in stove production, two in fuel production, and one in a marketing/administration role. Through these positions and those like them across the country, entrepreneurs like Granny are creating jobs through business growth that will allow more families in Botswana to escape the cycle of poverty.

SUPPORTING ENTREPRENEURS LIKE GRANNY IN THE BECAUSE ACCELERATOR

At Because International, we believe that supporting entrepreneurship—particularly in industries that can grow and create jobs—is one of the strongest tools in poverty alleviation. 

Granny is one of 27 entrepreneurs who joined Because International’s Accelerator program in the 2024 Cohort. 

“I am excited to be part of the program because it’s an excellent program that helps us find the perfect balance between impact and profit,” shares Granny. “It’s exactly what I want our company to achieve.”

In five years, Granny hopes that Clauseph BioFuels will be a leading provider of sustainable solutions in Botswana and beyond, making clean cooking accessible to more communities. 

The Because Accelerator is a completely free online training and mentorship program for entrepreneurs who have product-focused ideas and businesses in areas impacted by poverty.