LOWAKI ECO-SOLUTIONS LIMITED

Lessons from Our First 6 Months at Lowaki Eco Solutions Limited with Lorraine ( LOLAINE) Kirigia and Anne Muhia ( CPA K ): Advancing SDG 7 - Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable, and Modern Energy for All (Part 2) We began with a simple question: How can we make a difference? To truly make an impact, we needed to understand the landscape of the market we were entering. This meant identifying the players who had come before us, the challenges they faced, and what strategies worked or didn’t work. Our extensive research revealed three key insights. First, last-mile logistics was a significant challenge for all players due to the lack of data and technology to make distribution more efficient. Second, there was an awareness gap, as many consumers were unaware of clean cooking solutions, necessitating market activation and product demos to drive sales. Finally, affordability was another critical challenge for rural, low-income consumers, who found it difficult to make single large payments. Additionally, the previous two factors led to increased costs for the end consumer. This highlighted the need for integrating distribution with financing options. We relied heavily on case studies conducted by Clean Cooking Alliance (CCA), Shell Foundation, IFC - International Finance Corporation, SELCO Foundation, and @Lighting Global. Realizing these challenges, we knew we needed a model that addressed them comprehensively to achieve economies of scale. This led us to adopt a clean energy aggregator model. We drew a lot of inspiration from Ajaita S. of Frontier Markets in India, a business that sells energy-efficient products at an affordable cost to rural communities. Ajaita S.’s journey showed us what is possible and motivated us to pursue our vision. Frontier Markets is the largest women-led social commerce platform in India, with 12,500 women entrepreneurs using technology to help half a million rural customers access multiple services in Rural India. Building a last-mile distribution channel requires significant time, money, and effort. Collaboration has been key to our progress. We work hand-in-hand with local communities, farmer cooperatives, government bodies, and like-minded organizations to create a network that supports climate action, ensuring no one is left behind. In the next part of this series, we’ll share more about the partnerships we have built so far and the difference they are making to our cause. Stay tuned for more updates, stories, and insights as we continue to grow and innovate. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can create a brighter future. 🌍❤️ #Entrepreneurship #CleanEnergy #Sustainability #Kenya #SocialImpact #CleanCooking

Lessons from Our First 6 Months at Lowaki Eco Solutions Limited with Lorraine ( LOLAINE) Kirigia and Anne Muhia ( CPA K ) : Advancing SDG 7 - Access to Affordable, Reliable, Sustainable, and Modern Energy for All (Part 1) Growing up in the rural areas of Githunguri, we relied on firewood for cooking and paraffin lanterns for lighting. It was all we could afford, and every household did the same—it was the norm. Today, studies show that 23,000 people die annually from household air pollution in Kenya, primarily affecting women who spend more time in the kitchen. Back then, our community had no awareness of these dangers and lacked affordable alternatives. We often wondered: Had this changed? How many other rural communities were suffering the same fate? This concern led to the creation of Lowaki Eco Solutions. Our mission is to provide clean cooking stoves to households in Rural Kenya, facilitating a transition to safer and more efficient cooking methods. We began with a simple question: How can we make a difference? This vision drives us toward a healthier, sustainable future. Over the past six months, we’ve worked directly with rural households, learning about their struggles and witnessing the positive impact of clean cooking solutions. Despite challenges like securing funding and navigating logistical hurdles, we’ve seen healthier families and empowered communities emerge from our efforts. In this series, we’ll share our experiences, lessons learned, and the lives we’ve impacted. We’ll also discuss how we can promote the wider adoption of clean cooking solutions in Rural Kenya. Stay tuned for updates, stories, and insights as we continue to grow and innovate. Thank you for being part of this journey. Together, we can create a brighter future. 🌍❤️ EED Advisory Clean Cooking Association of Kenya (CCAK)KIRDI Premier Credit Kenya BioLite

So true!

Very well explained!

Congratulations Lowaki Co-Founder Anne Muhia ( CPA K ) https://lnkd.in/dD6USPhN

Lowaki Eco-Solutions are proud members of Clean Cooking Association of Kenya (CCAK). Today we are attending the validating of the CCAK Strategic Plan 2024-2028. Great partners Practical Action in Kenya GIZ Kenya

https://lnkd.in/ddkHpiEM

Congratulations MaMa Doing Good and the Office of the First Lady.

Here is to doing more for our communities when they need us the most!

We are grateful to have joined Rotary Club of Karen where I am also a member in support of the many families affected by the ongoing rains. The floods have rendered many of them homeless. A starter pack included a mattress, a blanket and a jiko. We are so grateful to our friends BioLite for supporting 20 families with jikos. It is in times like these that we come together. Thank you too to Lowaki and Improved Cook Stoves Association of Kenya Chairman Mr. Kinyanjui for sending us jikos in support.