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Created in June 2002, SODIGAZ sells Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) in Mali. LPG is a byproduct of petroleum and is a cleaner and more convenient source of cooking fuel than the firewood and charcoal it replaces. Sodigaz supplies this modern energy to more than 21,000 households in rural Mali. Oudiary Diawara, owner and operator of SODIGAZ, was the first Malian national to enter the LPG sector and now his company is the second largest LPG supplier in Mali.

The Need

Ninety percent of households in Mali rely on firewood and charcoal for cooking.  These are dangerous and dirty fuel sources that contribute to indoor air pollution, deforestation and carbon dioxide emissions.  

E+Co Value Added

Entrepreneur Oudiary Diawara attended a training workshop hosted jointly by E+Co, the Africa Rural Energy Enterprise Development program sponsored by the United Nations Environmental Program and local partner Mali Folkcenter.  During the training he received assistance in developing his business plan and conducting a financial analysis of the company.  Based on the strength of the business plan and the commitment of Diawara, E+Co invested US$183,088 in Sodigaz in 2003.  In 2005, it became apparent that substantial growth opportunities existed if Sodigaz were to geographically expand its customer base.  To support this effort, E+Co made a second loan to the company for US$313,156 in 2006.  With this loan Sodigaz purchased more gas cylinders which will enable it to offer gas supply to more remote areas of Mali.