Startup Story
Kealeboga Tshikovhi is the founder and ceo of Lamo Fuel based in Kuruman in the Northern Cape in South Africa. She is a seasoned entrepreneur focused on building resilience towards carbon emissions by providing an alternative clean source of fuel at lower prices. Her business achieves this by collecting used cooking oil and converting it into Biodiesel, thus turning waste into an energy source. Lamo Fuel is a 100% woman owned company which started in 2014 and which today employs four permanent staff and seven temporary staff members. The business started with 200L daily production in 2020, to now a 1000L production of Biodiesel per day as of May 2023. Kealeboga is excited about this great milestone and looks forward to achieving continual growth over the comings months and years.
LoA spoke to Kealeboga Tshikovhi about her green business journey to date, and her aspirations for the future.
What does your company do?
We produce and supply Biodiesel, as well as by-products from processing.
“We aspire to have a co-manufacturing business model that we can extend to other young people and women who would like to venture into Biofuels offering them off-take agreements.”
What inspired you to start your company?
From the time I was pursuing my studies towards a Biochemistry degree, I fell in love with the topic of renewable energy. At a later stage I got an opportunity to work in a mining environment and that's when a spark was lit and I thought to myself, how can I contribute positively to my community and towards the fight against climate change?
What makes your business, service or product special?
Our drive behind Green Economy and an eco-friendly product.
Tell us a little about your team
My team consists of mainly semi-skilled individuals who do general manufacturing work and maintenance, whereas I oversee administration and technical production.
“Part of our sustainability plan is to increase capacity through collaboration and in cost effective ways, ultimately contributing to the local economy, wealth creation, gender inequality and job creation.”
“I see myself as a testimony of hope, and for the mere fact that I get to build a legacy, not only for my children but also for my rural community.”
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And, do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
My mom and grandmother run a local sheeben, so from my primary school days I remember being given sweets to sell to other kids. In high school I used to help at the school's tuckshop, though I did not pay much attention at that time. But I believe that a seed was planted then and my passion grew from there as I got enlightened and went into different programs to equip myself in business. I've worked with different business development organizations and companies locally and international companies since 2014 including SEDA, NYDA, Mme Re Ka Thusa Trust Fund, ABSA, Local Mines and Local Authorities.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
We aspire to have a co-manufacturing business model that we can extend to other young people and women who would like to venture into Biofuels offering them off-take agreements. This is also part of our sustainability plan to increase capacity through collaboration and in cost effective ways, ultimately contributing to the local economy, wealth creation, gender inequality and job creation.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
I see myself as a testimony of hope, and for the mere fact that I get to build a legacy, not only for my children but also for my rural community. As a girl from Deerward Village in Kuruman where people have lost hope in government and are forced to become self reliant, this has been my drive to wake up every day despite the challenges to make sure that those that look up to me will have a story to tell.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
To transform yourself and pursue your dreams, you don't need to do big things. Just do small things in big way. Transformation will follow you!
Contact or follow Lamo Fuel
WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | EMAIL kealeboga@lamofuesa.co.za
Why LoA loves it…
The world needs everyone to become more environmentally aware in order to deal with the impact of climate change, and in the world of entrepreneurship, it needs more businesses to be created to find solutions to drive the Green Economy. In South Africa, Kealeboga Tshikovhi identified a need to convert a problem of dealing with used cooking oil, a waste product. Her response was to build a business that converts it into Biodiesel, thus turning waste into an alternative green energy source. As a result, she is playing her part in mitigating against the impacts of climate change in her community and country. — Melanie Hawken, founder & ceo, Lionesses of Africa