Kisumu County secures EU support for first-of-its-kind market waste-to-energy project

KENYA – Kisumu County has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Africa Bioenergy Programs Limited (ABPL), representing the European Union–funded KijaniBox Consortium.

The agreement paves the way for a pioneering MarketBox waste-to-energy demonstration project designed to convert organic market waste into clean energy for cooling and productive use across key urban markets.

The deal, signed by CECM for Water, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources Judith Oluoch and witnessed by senior county officials, commits Kisumu to supporting the deployment of the EU-funded facility at no cost to the local government.

The project is financed under the EU’s Horizon Europe Framework Programme and targets improved waste recovery, reduced food losses, and the creation of new green jobs within market systems.

Industry analysts say the partnership marks an important shift in how counties collaborate with technology providers to modernize municipal waste management.

ABPL, an established African clean-tech company specializing in decentralized waste-to-energy systems, identified Kisumu as one of three high-potential East African markets for piloting the KijaniBox solution.

The MarketBox model focuses on small-scale, modular waste-to-energy units capable of processing organic waste on-site.

The system generates energy for cooling and related applications, helping stabilize market operations that typically suffer from inadequate cold storage and rapid spoilage of perishable goods.

The approach aligns with Kenya’s broader push to strengthen post-harvest management across agricultural value chains.

Under the MOU, the KijaniBox Consortium will handle all technical design, construction, equipment installation, and operational funding during the pilot phase.

Kisumu County will provide non-fiscal support, including securing a suitable site within a public market, coordinating permitting processes, and facilitating engagement with market committees and vendor associations.

County officials say the pilot will help evaluate the technical, social, and economic viability of decentralized waste-to-energy solutions.

If successful, the MarketBox system could be replicated across Kisumu’s high-volume markets, positioning the county as a model for scalable urban waste valorization.

The agreement comes amid rising interest in localized bioenergy solutions across East Africa.

Nairobi continues preparations for its Dandora waste-to-energy project; Mombasa has expanded its biogas and composting programs; and regional governments in Rwanda and Uganda are testing similar small-scale systems to reduce landfill dependence and improve energy resilience.

With EU backing and a high-impact demonstration site, Kisumu’s KijaniBox pilot is expected to attract broader industry attention as counties seek cost-effective, climate-aligned waste management technologies.

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