Outreach Event to Industry Partners
Expanding the Network: BIOVARYA Hosts Successful Outreach Event for Kenyan Biogas Industry
On February 19, 2026, the Technical University of Kenya (TU-K) hosted a virtual information event designed to strengthen and expand the Kenyan biogas sector. Bringing together 30 key participants, the event marked a major milestone in driving academia-industry collaboration and expanding the BIOVARYA network beyond its initial borders.
The virtual meeting successfully connected local biogas enterprises, academic institutions, and German stakeholders. High-profile institutional attendees included representatives from USIU-Africa, Nairobi Technical Polytechnic, Kenya Industrial Research and Development Institute (KIRDI), TU-K, Technische Hochschule Ingolstadt (THI), and Ibn Tofail University in Morocco. The private sector was equally well-represented by major industry players operating in Kenya, including Flexi Biogas, Farmgas Africa, Sistema.bio, Greenyard Limited, and Greenleaf Limited.
A standout milestone of the event was the clear interest from Kenyan biogas companies to work with research and academic institutions like TU-K and KIRDI to develop solutions aimed at improving biogas plant performance and designs. As a vital government link to the industry, KIRDI’s biogas and policy experts opened new avenues for future cooperation. The stakeholders engaged in a vital exchange on substrate analysis and Biochemical Methane Potential (BMP) testing. They also addressed pressing regulatory hurdles, such as the current lack of quality standards for digestate when utilized as a fertilizer.
In a practical highlight of the session, TU-K showcased its newly acquired Automatic BMP Analyzer, procured with the support of the BIOVARYA project. Guided by TU-K researcher and masters student, Mr. Josphat Mibei, participants were introduced to the analyzer’s advanced capabilities. The equipment is set to significantly elevate local substrate research by delivering reliable, internationally validated results, effectively closing a critical data gap in the region.
The event concluded with a powerful consensus: academia, industry, and international partners must deepen their ties to secure the long-term, sustainable growth of Kenya’s biogas sector. Moving forward, the participants emphasized the urgent need to accelerate the establishment of a strong national biogas association while simultaneously boosting technology awareness and targeted research to fully unlock Kenya’s bioenergy potential.
