Fueling Change with Waste Oil: The Success Story of INO‑Biodiesel by Innocentia Mamaila

Fueling Change with Waste Oil: The Success Story of INO‑Biodiesel by Innocentia Mamaila. In the midst of the COVID‑19 lockdown, Innocentia Mamaila, an accounting graduate, found herself facing rising unemployment and uncertainty. Inspired by an article on recycling used cooking oil, she recognised a major opportunity in repurposing waste as fuel. Armed with curiosity and courage, she decided to take a leap into green energy.

Building Knowledge Before Business

Rather than rush into business, Innocentia first equipped herself with formal education. She completed an Alternative Fuels diploma at DTN Institute and pursued certifications in accounting, business, and energy. By the time she founded INO‑Biodiesel in mid‑2021, she was a credible expert ready to lead.

Launching INO‑Biodiesel: Turning Oil into Fuel

INO‑Biodiesel is a 100% black woman‑owned company based in Gauteng. Innocentia set up a process to collect used cooking oil from hotels, hospitals, and homes, then convert it into biodiesel for mining, construction, agricultural, and power‑generation clients. This was a green energy venture with real economic and environmental impact.

Overcoming Early Barriers & Tapping Incubation

Bringing biodiesel to market required technical know‑how, equipment and funding. Innocentia used The Innovation Hub’s incubation programme to get six months of mentorship and practical training. This support helped her secure her first production runs and build a foundation for growth.

Securing Recognition and Funding

Inocentia’s commitment to impact and innovation paid off. She was named Female Founders Initiative Young Emerging Entrepreneur of the Year and earned recognition from Standard Bank’s Top Women in SA Companies and Mail & Guardian’s Gender Mainstreaming Awards. She also won awards from Nomzamo Mbatha Lighthouse, Esther’s Preparation Room, WENOSA, and received grants from Tony Elumelu Foundation

Scaling with Social Impact

Beyond fuel, INO‑Biodiesel partners with women and youth in Limpopo, Gauteng, KwaZulu‑Natal and Mpumalanga to grow crops for cooking oil and collect it directly. Launched in 2022, this programme aims to empower rural communities, create stable jobs, and protect water resources. Every step forward is fuelled by purpose.

Key Lessons for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

• Turn crisis into catalyst-INO‑Biodiesel began during COVID‑19. A personal crisis can be a launchpad for ingenuity when you stay curious and courageous.
• Learn before you launch-Education mattered. Tapping into apprenticeship and formal training prepared Innocentia to lead and grow with conviction.
• Build with community – By sourcing cooking oil from local businesses and directly engaging rural women, the brand built authentic supply and impact networks from day one.
• Use ecosystems wisely- Incubators and innovation hubs can accelerate both knowledge and credibility. Don’t go it alone, seek structured support early.
• Recognition is more than awards- Awards and grants offered funding and visibility, but more importantly they validated the brand’s potential and opened doors to partnerships.

Conclusion

INO‑Biodiesel is not just a biofuel company, it is a blueprint for purpose-driven entrepreneurship. From converting waste to creating jobs, Innocentia Mamaila shows that powerful business begins at the intersection of innovation, education, and social impact. For any entrepreneur, her journey reminds us that bold ideas need both technical grounding and community roots to truly thrive.