In Jinja, Uganda, Simon Tigawalana had long aspired to upgrade the dirt floors in his humble dwelling, attributing them to his family’s frequent illnesses. However, replacing them with concrete seemed unattainable given the financial constraints typical in one of the world’s least affluent regions.
Then came an opportunity through EarthEnable, a company offering a cost-effective solution with clay-based earthen floors. For under half the price of concrete, Tigawalana transformed two rooms, with plans to complete the remaining one soon. “Now, we have a decent home and can comfortably accommodate guests,” said Tigawalana, a father of sixteen. “Since installing a clay floor, my children haven’t suffered from the cough and flu that came from the dust raised by sweeping the dirt floors.”
EarthEnable, dedicated to enhancing housing conditions in Africa, has been active in Uganda since 2017. The company’s clay floors do more than eliminate dust responsible for respiratory issues—they also reduce infestations of jiggers. These parasitic fleas can penetrate the skin, causing severe discomfort and infections. Uganda’s Ministry of Health has pointed to the hygiene challenges posed by dirt floors as a factor in such infestations. “Our floors help prevent diseases associated with dusty environments, for families who often can’t afford hospital care,” explained Noeline Mutesi, EarthEnable’s sales and marketing manager.
The flooring process begins with leveling the ground. The local murram soil, rich in iron and aluminum oxides, is mixed with sand and water, then compacted. After a fortnight of drying, masons smooth the surface with wooden floats and apply a clay screed to ready it for a flaxseed-based varnish sealant. This process offers a resilient, plastic-like finish.
Typically priced at 240,000 Uganda shillings (around $65), the flooring is significantly cheaper than its concrete counterpart, with payment options available. EarthEnable, a US-based nonprofit, operates profit-driven arms in Uganda, Rwanda, and Kenya, reinvesting profits into expanding new markets and funding R&D. The company has installed approximately 5,000 floors in Uganda, over 39,000 in Rwanda, and more than 100 in Kenya. It additionally provides wall plastering services to combat dust and insect issues prevalent in mud homes.
In Jinja, EarthEnable employs over 100 local masons, many of whom are school dropouts unable to afford fees. “We specifically hire young boys from villages, training them in constructing earthen floors, which provides them with employment,” noted Alex Wanda, a construction officer at EarthEnable.
A staggering 42% of Ugandans experience extreme poverty, with the Bureau of Statistics reporting a housing deficit of 2.6 million units. Addressing this shortfall requires increasing housing by 300,000 units annually, especially in rural locales where housing remains a crucial issue.
Beyond affordability, EarthEnable’s clay floors present a sustainable option to concrete, which is not only costlier but also a significant source of carbon emissions. Cement production was Uganda’s top carbon-emitting industry in 2023, with about 628,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide released. Globally, construction contributes to 37% of emissions, as highlighted by the United Nations Environment Programme. As the frequency of severe weather increases due to climate change, such as floods and droughts, initiatives like EarthEnable’s are vital in reducing construction’s carbon footprint.
“Such innovations are essential in global strategies to decarbonize construction,” remarked Penina Atwine, a program officer with the Uganda-based Environmental Alert. “Local solutions addressing climate change and social needs, like EarthEnable’s model, could serve as global inspirations.”
In the Budima village, Rehema Namukose invested most of her savings into building her home. Unable to afford a cleaner floor initially, she turned to EarthEnable, paying for the clay floor in installments. Living there with her three children, she attributes her daughter’s improved health to the new floor. “This is something my family can afford, ensuring we maintain hygiene,” she said. “We’re now living a better life.”