Betty Ikalany

Betty is the CEO of Appropriate Energy Saving Technologies (AEST) LTD, a producer of clean fuel and energy-saving cook stoves. AEST’s clean fuel comes in the form of charcoal briquettes made from recycled agricultural waste. Combined with their energy efficient cook stoves, their sustainable products provide customers with clean cooking solutions. AEST products are available to households, businesses, and institutions located in urban and semi-urban areas of North Eastern Uganda. They offer their products at a lower price with greater efficiency and longevity than competitors, all while not producing harmful smoke. AEST’s mission is to increase the use of affordable clean cooking solutions for low-income households and institutions in Uganda. Betty is also the Founder and Executive Director of Teso Women Development Initiatives (or TEWDI Uganda), a nonprofit organization centered around women’s empowerment. Betty holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work and Social Administration from Makerere University and a Master of Arts in Development Studies with a specialization in Women, Gender, and Development from the International Institute of Social Studies at Erasmus University, Netherlands. She holds a Certificate from the Global Social Benefit Incubator Program at Santa Clara University Leavey School of Business and a Certificate in Strategic Planning and Management from the Management Training and Advisory Centre (MCAT) Nakawa. She has also participated in the IPH-CDC HIV/AIDS Fellowship program with Makerere University’s Institute of Public Health. Betty belongs to the Uganda National Alliance for Clean Cooking, the Biomass Energy Efficiency Technologies Association, MIT D-Lab’s International Development Design Summit, the Women in Public Service Project, and the Social Entrepreneurship Forum. Betty’s expertise lies in strategic management, capacity building, women’s empowerment, and renewable energy.    

What Betty hopes to gain from the VV GROW Fellowship:
Betty would like to expand her business skills and knowledge, develop her leadership abilities, and gain mentors in the areas of women’s empowerment and business management. She looks forward to sharing her successes and areas of improvement with other fellows and is eager to join the Vital Voices’ global network.  

What Betty can offer other fellows:
Betty can share her insight on managing a startup company, women’s empowerment, and renewable energy. 

Connect with Betty on Social Media:
Website: www.aestug.com
LinkedIn (personal): https://www.linkedin.com/in/betty-ikalany-68520b60/ 
Facebook (business): https://www.facebook.com/aest.ug
Facebook (personal): https://www.facebook.com/betty.ikalany 
Twitter (business): https://twitter.com/aestug 
Twitter (personal): https://twitter.com/BIkalany