Sanergy is a social enterprise that uses an innovative systems-based approach to tackle the sanitation challenge in Nairobi, Kenya. The company builds and franchises low-cost, high-quality toilets branded as Fresh Life to community members through three distribution models for maximum coverage: entrepreneurs who run them as viable businesses, landlords who provide them as a valuable service to their tenants and to institutions in the community such as schools, reaching the most vulnerable populations.

This model allows for safe removal and collection of ten metric tons of waste per week, otherwise normally dumped into waterways, to be converted into organic fertiliser, animal feed, and electricity generated through a digester and combined heat and power system.

Energy 4 Impact helped Sanergy secure a $50,000 grant by the Kenya Climate Innovation Center to set up their pilot plant. The grant has allowed them to undertake a feedstock characterisation study, design the digester system parameters, procure equipment to construct the biogas digester system and train their operations team. The company will use the electricity to power its fertiliser production, removing dependence from non-renewable energy sources. Further, they will pilot this system to inform the next step of scaling power generation capacity for sale.