A solar-powered avocado processing facility planned for Rumuruti, Kenya, has secured full financing. The project, developed by AAAS Energy, raised US$174,000 from 97 investors through the crowdfunding platform Bettervest. The initiative aims to strengthen Kenya's avocado value chain and reduce post-harvest losses in Laikipia County, where farmers are estimated to lose KES 3 billion (about US$19.7 million) in avocados annually due to limited cold-chain capacity.
The plant will operate on a 200 kWp solar system that is expected to save around 256 tons of CO₂ each year. The processing hub will include cooling and storage units, sorting and packaging lines, and an avocado-oil extraction plant. According to the project partners, the goal is to integrate smallholder farmers into a more stable, export-focused supply chain. The facility is expected to initially support around 400 households and potentially benefit up to 64,000 people over time. Estimates indicate the project could generate as many as 6,400 direct and indirect jobs.
Funding is being channelled through AAAS Kenya Project 1 Ltd., with risk-mitigation measures such as land pledges and assignment of lease revenues. These were established via the German special purpose vehicle Afrika Emissions 9 UG.
Karanja Orchard Ltd. will lease and operate the completed facility. The company plans to process both export-grade and non-exportable avocados into oil, purée, and frozen products for markets in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
AAAS director Maarten Mennes said the project will help reduce food waste while supporting the sustainable growth of Kenya's avocado sector through solar power.
Source: GBA
