pioneer & develop
Wanergy
Wanergy Africa plans to establish a sustainable solid waste solution in a rapidly growing township located 40 km from Nairobi. Household, urban, agricultural, and industrial waste will be converted into a reusable energy source. The by-products can be commercialized, creating jobs while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Junnie R. Wangari
CEO of Wanergy Africa Limited, Kenya
What made you decide to start this project?
Living in Nairobi, a rapidly growing African city, has given us firsthand experience of waste mismanagement. Open dumpsites and toxic fires are common, and household waste collection is often unreliable. During rainfall, runoff from these dumpsites contaminates downstream water bodies, posing health hazards to humans, animals, and marine life. Addressing this waste crisis is crucial for the well-being of both the environment and the community.
Wanergy Africa Limited emerged to address urban waste disposal challenges, focusing on creating a circular economy. Our project aims to sell energy by-products to the industrial sector, reducing reliance on fossil fuels, and distribute bio-fertilizer from organic waste to the agricultural sector. Utilizing Biogas Plant technology, this initiative represents Kenya's first municipal solid waste processing project, leveraging locally proven technology present in existing commercial biogas plants in the agricultural sector.
Where do you see yourself and your project in three years?
In three years, we anticipate commissioning our first waste-to-energy facility in Athi River and entering our first full year of operation. Additionally, we envision initiating development work on two or three more locations in Kenya.
If you could step into someone else’s shoes for a day, who would it be, and what experiences or insights do you hope to gain during that time?
If I could step into someone else’s shoes for a day, it would be Wanjira Mathai, daughter of the 2004 Nobel Peace Prize winner Wangari Maathai. In 1977, as an African woman, Wangari had foresight and deep passion for the environment, setting Kenya on its sustainability journey. Tree planting remains a core government agenda not only in Kenya but all over the world. I admire Wanjira's commitment to this legacy, and I'd tap into her resilience to guide our team in the 21st-century mission of cleaning up African cities.