Kenyan Stakeholders Perspective: Business Models and Experiences in Clean Energy Projects on Women and Youth in the Clean Energy Ecosystem

By Yvonne Gitu, Tiffany Njoroge and Joyce Gathaci

Background

The Evidence for Informing Scaling And Impact In Youth And Women- Led Clean Energy Enterprises in Africa (EVI-SICEE) project, implemented over the past one and a half year, aims to address systemic opportunities and barriers faced by women and youth in accessing entrepreneurial opportunities within the clean energy innovation ecosystem (CIE). Women and youth form a significant part of the informal, small, and medium enterprises (SMEs) driving economic development in Africa. However, they remain disproportionately vulnerable to external shocks like climate change and global economic crises.

Structural and socio-cultural challenges further limit their access to finance, markets, and training, hindering their ability to grow businesses compared to adult men. This issue is compounded by Africa’s rapidly growing youth population, which requires sustainable employment opportunities. Through joined-up action research with actors in the CIE ecosystem, the EVI-SICEE project seeks to provide evidence-based strategies for scaling promising youth- and women-led clean energy enterprises for transformative impact.

Introduction

A learning workshop was held over two days, 6th and 7th February 2025, at the ICIPE campus, Duduville, Kasarani in Nairobi. It brought together the EVI-SICEE project team from the four African countries, Kenya, Uganda, Malawi and South Africa, along with Kenya’s clean energy ecosystem stakeholders, advisory board members, researchers, entrepreneurs, and policy actors.

The workshop aimed to create an interactive space to reflect on the first year of project implementation, share and validate key research findings from Kenya, and co-create knowledge to optimize and scale youth- and women-led clean energy enterprises. The engagement sought to deepen understanding of systemic factors influencing access to entrepreneurial opportunities in clean energy innovation.

This blog explores insights from a Kenyan stakeholders’ panel discussion moderated by Dr. Mbaya featuring the following esteemed panelists:

• Daniel Obonyo – General Secretary of the Improved Stoves Association of Kenya (ISAK), representing 3,700 members across 37 counties. ISAC focuses on capacity-building for producers, marketers, and fabricators in the clean cooking value chain, with a strong emphasis on women and youth (60% of its membership).
• Abigail Wairua – Research Assistant and Mechanical Engineer at Dedan Kimathi University’s Bekut Center for Energy Studies. Her team works on research, development, design, testing, piloting, and training in energy technologies.
• Vincent Ogaya – Representative from the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC), specializing in business incubation and acceleration for climate innovations. KCIC supports startups with business advisory services, financing, and mentorship.
• Matthew Matenga – Representative from Yehu Microfinance, which operates in Kenya’s coastal region. Yehu provides innovative funding models like group lending to empower women and youth in clean energy adoption.

Ongoing Panel discussions: From Left, Matthew Matenga, Vincent Ogaya, Abigail Wairua, Daniel Obonyo and Dr. Caroline Mbaya

Key Takeaways from the Panel Discussion

The session provided a platform for sharing experiences and strategies around:

• Integration of Research, Policy, and Business for Clean Energy Growth
• Ensuring Quality Standards and Innovation in Clean Cooking Technologies
• Financial and Business Support for Women and Youth Entrepreneurs
• Capacity-Building, Mentorship, and Scaling Innovations
• Addressing Gender-Specific Challenges in the Clean Energy Sector

Contributions of Stakeholders

Each panelist highlighted their unique contributions:

• ISAK promotes quality standards for clean cookstoves through partnerships with organizations like the Clean Cookstove Association of Kenya (CCK). They also focus on capacity-building programs to bridge the energy property gap.
• Dedan Kimathi University supports innovators by mechanizing production processes for clean energy technologies like cookstoves. For example, they developed tools such as pulverizers and mixers to improve efficiency in fabricating clay liners.
• KCIC facilitates the commercialization of climate innovations by providing business advisory services, financing (grants or loans), and mentorship programs tailored to women and youth.
• Yehu Microfinance empowers women and youth through group lending models for solar products and improved stoves. They also provide training to ensure clients understand the benefits of clean energy technologies.

Collaboration Benefits

Participation in forums like this workshop fosters collaboration by:

1. Networking Opportunities: Helping stakeholders connect with academia, government, and civil society for strategic partnerships.
2. Policy Updates: Keeping stakeholders informed about current policies to align interventions with national priorities.
3. Knowledge Sharing: Using research insights to inform targeted interventions addressing skills gaps or financing needs.

For instance, ISAK benefits from partnerships with CCAK to ensure that their members produce stoves meeting market standards. Similarly, KCIC uses research findings to refine its support for enterprises.

Challenges Faced by Women and Youth

Panelists identified several barriers:

• Access to Capital: Women and youth often lack collateral to secure loans.
• Skills Gaps: Limited technical expertise hinders scaling innovations.
• Gender Biases: Traditional perceptions discourage participation in male-dominated sectors like engineering or climate technology.

To address these challenges, organizations like KCIC provide mentorship programs that match women entrepreneurs with female mentors who have succeeded in similar fields.

Innovative Funding Models

Yehu Microfinance’s group lending model was highlighted:

• Women form self-help groups (chamas) to co-guarantee loans from savings.
• Loans are used for solar products or improved stoves with minimal interest rates.
• Training empowers clients with knowledge of clean energy technologies before adoption.

Standards Maintenance

ISAK maintains quality standards by:

• Collaborating with CCAK for efficiency testing protocols training.
• Working with research institutions for certification to meet market requirements.

Mentorship for Scaling

KCIC integrates mentorship by:

• Matching entrepreneurs with experts based on development stage.
• Focusing on scalability and innovation potential.
• Providing structured practical experience under seasoned professionals.

Carbon Financing

Though emerging and faced with hesitancy due to new regulations, carbon financing holds potential to provide additional resources for scaling clean energy solutions.

Successful Collaborations

An example shared was the project between Dedan Kimathi University and Fairtrade Africa involving training entrepreneurs in mechanizing cookstove production and developing tools for efficiency.

Proposed Strategies for Greater Impact

To address these challenges and enhance opportunities for women and youth in Kenya’s clean energy sector, the following strategies are proposed:

1. Foster Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration among research, private sector, government, and communities.
2. Promote Inclusive Financing Models tailored for women- and youth-led enterprises.
3. Enhance Capacity-Building Programs with mentoring and connecting entrepreneurs with investors.
4. Adopt Gender-Inclusive Policies to overcome structural barriers and promote participation.

In conclusion, the discussion highlighted the critical role of collaboration among stakeholders in advancing clean energy solutions. By addressing challenges like access to capital, skills gaps, and quality standards, these organizations are paving the way for a more sustainable future while empowering women and youth in the process. By implementing these strategies on a larger scale, Kenya can accelerate its transition to sustainable clean energy while empowering its most vulnerable populations women and youth.

Invitation for Feedback 

What are your thoughts on these strategies? How can we collectively enhance opportunities for women and youth in Kenya’s clean energy sector? Share your ideas or connect with us to explore collaborative opportunities!