Transforming gas challenges into technological solutions

DAR ES SALAAM: IN a time where technology is rapidly reshaping how people live and solve everyday problems, a new generation of young innovators is stepping forward.

They are not waiting for perfect conditions, but are building solutions from the realities around them. For them, innovation is not just about technology, it is about solving real problems and creating impact in society.

This is the path taken by Rogers Mugisha, a young Tanzanian who is the founder and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Ovana Company Limited. Mugisha has positioned himself at the intersection of technology, business and social change.

His journey begins with a simple but powerful idea of using technology to solve problems that people experience every day but often lack clear or immediate solutions.

With a background in software engineering and strong skills in business development and analytics, Mugisha did not limit himself to theory. Instead, he focused on building practical solutions that connect technology with real human needs and create measurable impact in society.

When Ovana first started, it was not an environmental company. It was simply a startup driven by a mindset to use technology to solve everyday problems. The team explored different ideas, tested various solutions and stayed close to the realities of the communities they were observing.

It was through this process that they began to notice a recurring issue in many households which people were using cooking gas without knowing how much was left in their cylinders.

This was not just a minor inconvenience. It was a real, widespread problem affecting planning, budgeting, and daily life. Instead of ignoring it, Mugisha and his team leaned into it.

They began developing a smart gas metering solution, a system that allows users to monitor their gas usage in real time. What started as a simple problem-solving effort gradually evolved into something much bigger as an entry point into the clean energy space.

This transition was not planned. It was a result of following the problem wherever it led. And in doing so, they found themselves contributing directly to environmental sustainability, particularly in promoting efficient and informed use of cooking gas.

One of the things Mugisha takes the most pride in is being among the first to introduce this kind of technology in a context like Tanzania. Building hardware-based solutions in such an environment comes with unique challenges, yet they chose to take that risk.

But beyond being first, what matters most to him is the impact. Their solution is helping people understand their gas usage, reduce uncertainty, and use energy more efficiently in their daily lives.

As the vision expanded, so did the scope of their work. Through a Cylinder Tracking System (CYTRA), they began building a solution that goes beyond individual households by tracking gas cylinders from the filling plant all the way to the end user.

At the same time, through initiatives like Nishati Cup, they introduced a different approach to awareness, using football as a platform to educate communities about clean energy in a way that is engaging and relatable.

This reflects a deeper philosophy behind their work. They are not just building technology. They are part of a broader movement aimed at transforming how energy is understood, used and managed within society.

The journey, however, has not been easy. One of the most significant challenges was developing the right hardware. Access to suitable components was limited, technical expertise in certain areas was scarce and the cost of research and development was high.

At some point, they had to make the decision to manufacture outside the country, particularly in China. Even then, finding a trustworthy manufacturer who could deliver consistent quality was a challenge in itself. Another major hurdle was trust. Being among the first to introduce such a solution meant there was no existing model to point to. Investors were uncertain, industry stakeholders were cautious and the concept itself required explanation. They were essentially asking people to believe in something they had never seen before at scale.

Like many startups, they also faced limitations in resources, funding, team capacity and time. Rather, what helped them move forward was not the absence of challenges, but how they responded to them.

Consistency played a key role in the decision to keep going even without full certainty. They learned through mistakes, especially on the technical and manufacturing side and remained flexible, adapting quickly to changing conditions.

From a small beginning of just two people, the team has now grown to around eight people, covering technology, operations and business development, alongside close collaborators. But for Mugisha, growth is not just about numbers. It is about building a team that understands the vision in a team that knows they are not just creating a product but shaping an entire ecosystem.

That ecosystem is exactly what they are now working towards. Their long-term goal is to build a data-driven system for household energy. This includes scaling their smart gas metering solution to reach thousands, eventually tens of thousands of households, expanding CYTRA to track gas cylinders across the supply chain at a larger scale and growing Nishati Cup into a national platform for clean energy awareness.

While their vision starts in Tanzania, it does not end there. They are thinking about the broader African context, where similar challenges exist and where such solutions could have even greater impact.

At the moment, they are still in the growth and validation phase. They have reached around 179 pilot users, including households and restaurants, and have conducted trials with about two companies to test and validate the system. Their focus is not yet on large-scale numbers, but on getting the foundation right in collecting real usage data, refining the technology, and ensuring the system is stable before scaling.

For Mugisha, this stage is critical. It determines whether future growth will be sustainable and impactful. Instead of rushing to expand, they are choosing to build with confidence and quality.

Beyond the technology and the business, his message to young people is clear. The environment is not just a topic of discussion, it is an opportunity. There is space for innovation, for building businesses and for creating real impact.

ALSO READ: Tanzania tasks TPDC to ensure the timely completion of all oil and gas projects

The key is not to wait for perfect conditions but to start with a problem you understand.

His journey shows that success is not always about having all the answers from the beginning. Sometimes, it is about asking the right questions, staying consistent and being willing to follow the problem until it leads you to something meaningful.

What Mugisha is building is more than a company. It is a reflection of a new kind of thinking in which technology is not separate from society, but deeply connected to it.

A way of thinking where every challenge holds the innovation potential and where young people are not just participants in change but the ones driving it forward.