Investors & partners
Built for scale. Backed by evidence.
Utheri is a biomass energy provider with seven product lines, a supply chain, a customer base and a briquette plant already operating in Maai Mahiu.
Thesis · In three lines
The opportunity: residue that should be fuel for industry.
-
Problem
Kenyan industry still burns firewood for process heat, while farms and mills burn or dump residues that could be fuel.
-
Solution
Utheri supplies seven biomass fuels from local farms, mills and forests, led by dense, consistent sawdust briquettes that fire existing boilers, kilns and furnaces.
-
Why now
Industrial buyers want reliable, lower-impact heat, and the sawdust supply along Kenya’s western corridor is already there to meet them.
Leadership · Founder
Esther Njeri
Co-Founder & CEO
Esther founded Utheri Energy Solutions in 2022 to turn sawmill residue into a reliable fuel for Kenyan industry, and to create dignified work for women and youth in Maai Mahiu. She has presented Utheri at the Kenya Impact Finance Forum and the Africa Climate Investment Summit, and now hosts early-stage clean-energy founders at the plant.
Every briquette we produce represents a child staying in school, a family putting food on the table, and a community gaining economic opportunity.Follow Esther on LinkedIn
Recognition · Programmes & forums
Recognised by Kenya’s climate ecosystem.
- Kenya Impact Finance Forum 2026 Recognised among the most innovative ventures supported through the KCIC SWIFT Programme (IKEA Foundation) and ANDE East Africa.
- EVI-SICEE exchange visit 2026 Hosted and mentored early-stage clean-energy entrepreneurs at our plant, with IDRC and KCIC.
- Climate-smart enterprise programme 2026 Selected for a Government of Sweden–sponsored programme on job creation and economic empowerment for women and youth.
- KCIC women climate leaders 2026 Esther Njeri recognised by the Kenya Climate Innovation Center on International Women’s Day.
- Africa Climate Investment Summit 2025 Took part in the investment and policy deal rooms, after pitch preparation with KCIC at Strathmore Business School.
Traction · Operating data
An operating business, not a pilot.
We supply manufacturers, food processors, hotels and institutions. Named client references are shared with investors on request.
- 100+
- tonnes / month
- Briquettes produced
- 1,200+
- tonnes / year
- Briquettes produced, annualised
- 7
- biomass fuels
- Product lines supplied
- 2022
- operating since
- Producing in Maai Mahiu
Roadmap · Capacity
Capacity roadmap: growing output with the next line.
Today’s plant produces 100+ tonnes / month. Demand from industrial buyers and the sawdust supply along Kenya’s western corridor support the next stage of growth.
- Today 100+ tonnes / month. Producing since 2022, across seven biomass product lines.
- Next Capacity plan. Target tonnage, timing and the next production line are set out in our investor deck.
Impact · SDG alignment
Every tonne contributes to measurable goals.
Our impact figures come with a note on how each is calculated.
Impact & methodology- 7 Affordable and clean energy Local biomass fuel for industrial heat.
- 5 Gender equality Work across the value chain, with a focus on women.
- 8 Decent work and economic growth Jobs in collection, drying, pressing and delivery.
- 12 Responsible consumption and production Residues turned into a product instead of waste.
- 13 Climate action An alternative to firewood and fossil fuels for heat.
Partner · The ask
Request the deck and the numbers behind it.
Use of funds, the capacity plan, financials and client references are in our investor deck. We also welcome grant funders, development partners and offtake partners.
info@utherienergysolutions.co.ke