BIONET signs MOU with SNV under ABC Project
SNV and BIONET representatives greeting each other after the signing of the MoU
The two-year capacity building agreement is part of SNV’s support to advocacy network associations in Kenya. The support includes the development of a strategic plan and heralds a brand new chapter for BIONET and its members.
SNV as an implementer of the African Biodigester Component Project Kenya (ABC-K) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two sector advocacy network associations; The Kenya Biogas Stakeholders Network (BIO-NET) and the Clean Cooking Association of Kenya(CCAK). The MoU seeks to improve the enabling environment and build the capacity of Kenya’s biodigester market in collaboration with the Government of Kenya through the Ministry of Energy and Petroleum.
Through the MoU, the associations will promote the development of the biodigester market and address the gaps and barriers that inhibit its growth. During the period of the project, till 2025, these interventions will facilitate a shift in the biodigester market. SNV and BIONET signed the MoU during a biodigester sector experts meeting on learning, innovation, and exchange that was held in the month of May in Kenya.
“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” said Victor Gathogo, Project Manager at SNV.
The Ministry of Energy and Petroleum is a key player in the agreement and hailed BIONET for its role as the convener and champion for the multi-stakeholder group; the Biogas Innovation Platform (BIP). BIP provides a platform for representatives of key institutions to meet and strategize on the successful dissemination of biodigester technology and innovations in 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.
Giving a highlight of the innovation platform, Peter Thabora, Deputy Director- Renewable Energy Directorate.
Through the implementation of the ABC-K project, it is expected that the interventions will support policy creation in the biodigester industry. Notably, by improving the enabling environment that will complement demand and supply interventions, promotion of quality standards, and building capacity of County Government officials to integrate biodigester application into local agricultural and energy policies, strategies and action plans.
“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 increased gas valorisation options”, concluded Paul Sabwa, Chairperson, BIONET.
About ABC-K
The ABC-K project is implemented by a consortium between the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and SNV. The project is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands (DGIS), the Danish Development Corporation (DANIDA) and the European Union under the Energising Development (EnDev) partnership. It builds on the Africa Biogas Partnership Program (ABPP) successes. The objective of the ABC-K project is to create a stable, sustainable, and expanding, market for biodigesters in Kenya while contributing to national sustainable agricultural production, energy access and climate targets.
