Green Solutions
Welcome to Green Solution - where innovation meets impact.
At Green Solution, we are on a mission to address the urgent need for cleaner cooking fuel alternatives, particularly in regions where reliance on traditional charcoal poses significant health risks and environmental degradation. With a staggering 85% of households in The Gambia using charcoal for daily cooking, the detrimental effects on health and the environment are massive.
Our commitment is clear: to combat these challenges head-on by providing eco-friendly charcoal briquettes that not only offer a sustainable solution but also outperform conventional charcoal in every aspect. Through innovative processes, we transform coconut waste and various biomass materials into high-quality charcoal briquettes with superior properties such as enhanced burning efficiency, smokelessness, cleanliness, and environmental friendliness.
At Green Solution, we're doing more than producing a sustainable alternative—we're driving a shift towards cleaner living and responsible consumption. Our mission is rooted in the belief that environmental protection and economic opportunity can grow together. Every briquette we produce brings us one step closer to a future where clean fuel is accessible, healthy, and environmentally sound.
MEET THE GREEN SOLUTION TEAM
Lamin Jeng
Chief Operations Officer Green Solutions
Lamin Jeng, also known as KARAFA, a dedicated Gambian artist and volunteer with Green-Up Gambia. Lamin's passion for combating climate change drives his active involvement in tree planting and advocacy against deforestation. Currently, he serves as a Ground Operation Specialist at Green Solutions, spearheading the production of biochar. Lamin has reached a significant milestone by developing the prototype of the first pyrolysis machine, which transforms waste materials like coconut shells, sawdust, leaves, and other discarded items into smokeless, long-lasting, and hotter-burning charcoal briquettes. His innovative approach to biochar production is making a meaningful impact on sustainable environmental practices in The Gambia.
Moritz Valentin Jejkal
Executive Assistant to the CEO
Moritz Valentin Jejkal serves as the Executive Assistant at Green Up Gambia, bringing a strong educational background in Forest and Environmental Sciences to the role. With a Bachelor's degree and a minor in International Forestry and climate change mitigation and adaptation, Moritz possesses a deep understanding of environmental issues and sustainable development practices. His academic journey includes research and papers on topics such as biochar and tree-based carbon sequestration. Moritz's practical experience through internships and his entrepreneurial venturefurther enhance his ability to contribute to Green Up Gambia's mission.
In his role as Executive Assistant, Moritz coordinates activities, manages projects, and ensures effective communication within the team. His dedication to sustainability and his multicultural experiences make him a valuable asset to the organization's efforts towards a greener future.
The Challenge
Green Solution is the first enterprise in The Gambia dedicated to addressing the country’s urgent need for cleaner cooking fuel alternatives. With approximately 85% of households relying on traditional charcoal for daily cooking, the health and environmental consequences are severe—especially for women, who are most exposed to smoke-related respiratory risks.
Despite a ban on charcoal production in The Gambia since the 1980s, charcoal remains widely used, largely imported from Senegal. The overreliance on fuelwood and charcoal continues to degrade forest resources, particularly in urban areas like the Greater Banjul Area (GBA) and Brikama. Alternatives like electricity and gas remain unaffordable or unpopular, and earlier solutions—such as groundnut shell briquetting—have failed to gain traction due to declining raw material availability.
This situation presents a significant opportunity: the demand for clean, affordable, and sustainable cooking fuel is rising, and consumers are increasingly seeking environmentally responsible choices.
Our Solution: GreenCOAL
In response, we developed GreenCOAL—our line of premium, eco-friendly charcoal briquettes made from coconut shells and other agricultural waste. GreenCOAL is engineered to outperform traditional charcoal in every way: it burns longer, produces minimal smoke, generates less ash, and is cleaner to handle.
Through an innovative and locally adapted production process, we convert agricultural residues into high-quality briquettes that are not only better for health and the environment, but also cost-effective for consumers. GreenCOAL aligns with national sustainability goals and is designed to ease the transition toward cleaner cooking in both urban and rural areas.
At Green Solution, we are proud to offer a practical, scalable, and impactful alternative to traditional charcoal—one that brings environmental protection, public health, and energy access into alignment.
