SNV partners with advocacy network to boost Kenya's biodigester market

SNV, as the implementing organisation of the African Biodigester Component Project Kenya (ABC-K), has signed a groundbreaking two-year capacity-building agreement with two sector advocacy network associations: The Kenya Biogas Stakeholders Network (BIO-NET) and the Clean Cooking Association of Kenya (CCAK).

This collaboration marks a significant milestone in our efforts to enhance the enabling environment and foster the growth of Kenya's biodigester market in close cooperation with the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed with BIO-NET and CCAK aims to promote the development of the biodigester market and address the gaps and barriers that hinder its expansion. Throughout the project, until 2025, these interventions will catalyse a transformative shift in the biodigester market. The MoU signing occurred during a biodigester sector experts meeting on learning, innovation, and exchange in Kenya in May, where representatives from SNV and BIONET came together to seal the agreement.

Victor Gathogo, Project Manager at SNV, emphasised the importance of the MoU, stating, 'Part of the mandate to be fulfilled under the MoUs will be to strengthen the advocacy network secretariats and to build strong sector associations to advocate and lobby for representation in Government meetings. The partners will also be involved in the development of quality standards and curricula for the biodigester sub-sector.'

The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, a key partner in this agreement, commended BIONET for its role as the convener and champion of the Biogas Innovation Platform (BIP), a multi-stakeholder group. BIP serves as a strategic platform for key institutions to collaborate and strategise on the successful dissemination of biodigester technology and innovations throughout Kenya. 'BIO-NET will convene stakeholders to guide operations and activities towards implementation of the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum Bioenergy Strategy (2022-2027) and accompanying action plan. The ministry will host a coordination desk at the Renewable Energy Directorate', Peter Thabora from the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum said.

'Through the implementation of the ABC-K project, we anticipate that these interventions will facilitate policy creation in the biodigester industry. Our focus extends beyond the household biogas market, encompassing the development of a market for medium-scale biodigesters. This approach will accelerate market growth, foster the creation of local bio-slurry markets, and provide increased options for gas valorisation.'

Paul Sabwa, Chairperson of BIONET, concluded, 'In addition to the household biogas market, the intervention will also address the development of a market for medium-scale biodigesters to accelerate market development, facilitate the creation of local bio-slurry markets, and increase gas valorisation options.'

About the ABC-K project

The ABC-K project is a joint endeavour by SNV and the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH. It receives funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (DGIS), the Danish Development Corporation (DANIDA), and the European Union through the Energising Development (EnDev) partnership. Building upon the successes of the Africa Biogas Partnership Programme (ABPP), the objective of the ABC-K project is to establish a stable, sustainable, and expanding market for biodigesters in Kenya. Additionally, it aims to contribute to national sustainable agricultural production, energy access, and climate targets.

We are excited about this collaboration's future prospects and its positive impact on Kenya's biodigester sector. Stay tuned for updates on our progress as we work towards a greener, more sustainable future.