Mahlatse Mamaila Powers Communities with INO-Biodiesel

From Finance to Fuel: A Bold Pivot

Mahlatse Mamaila, originally a financial advisor from Limpopo, made a daring career shift during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020. Inspired by an article on waste-to-energy innovation, she committed to learning how to convert used cooking oil into biodiesel, bringing together her background in accounting with a passion for sustainability.

Building INO-Biodiesel: Waste Transformed into Energy

In late 2020, Mamaila launched INO-Biodiesel. The company collects waste cooking oil from local restaurants, “kota” vendors, and “abomama” preparing magwinya in Gauteng and Limpopo, transforming that into high-quality biodiesel. With approximately 80 liters of biodiesel produced for every 100 liters of used oil, her enterprise now churns out around 40,000 liters per month, despite lacking industrial-scale facilities.

Creating Economic Ripples in Communities

Beyond fuel, INO-Biodiesel is a community-first movement. It empowers local women and youth by engaging them in oil collection, processing, and distribution value chains, spanning areas in Gauteng, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. The enterprise directly impacts more than 20,000 individuals, offering additional income streams to township food vendors and small-scale entrepreneurs.

Award-Winning Social Impact

Mamaila’s efforts have earned national recognition. In July 2024, she was crowned the IWISA No 1 Community Champion of Gauteng, bringing home R30,000 in prize money—funds she plans to deploy toward purchasing an advanced processing machine and employing 40 unemployed youth.

Bridging Education and Sustainability

INO-Biodiesel is more than a green energy provider—it’s also an educational platform. Mamaila leads outreach programs in schools and communities, teaching students and citizens about biodiesel production, environmental stewardship, and clean-water initiatives. She has even provided 3,000 liters of biodiesel to power schools and medical clinics during load-shedding, highlighting the critical role of reliable, clean energy in vulnerable environments.

Looking Ahead: Expansion and Inclusion

With strong demand across South Africa’s nine provinces, Mamaila eyes broader expansion—particularly into more rural communities in Mpumalanga and KwaZulu-Natal. She remains determined to dismantle barriers that exclude her communities from climate action, working tirelessly to bring tangible opportunities to the grassroots.

A Circular Vision for Fuel and Futures

Through INO-Biodiesel, Mahlatse Mamaila is redefining what sustainable entrepreneurship looks like in South Africa. By recycling waste cooking oil into biodiesel, she not only supplies an eco-friendly fuel alternative for industries like mining, construction, and agriculture, but also builds resilient local economies, uplifts marginalised communities, and educates future eco-leaders.