Empowering Turkana: How Adili Solar Hubs is helping to drive Food Security and Economic Growth 

By Chris Beland, Liya Bensy Thomas, Jacob Fodio Todd, and Beryl Onjala

In October, team members from the Low Energy Inclusive Appliances (LEIA) and MECS Programme embarked on a journey from Nairobi to Longech, in Northern Kenya to visit Adili Solar Hubs and explore their innovative cooling and energy initiatives. Adili Solar Hubs is helping to benefit the Lake Turkana region by enhancing food security, integrating modern energy solutions, and adding value to the fishing economy.  Adili Solar Hubs’ work is addressing logistical and preservation challenges in the fish value chain and helping to unlock the economic potential of fishing communities along Lake Turkana’s shores.

Adili Solar Hubs (Adili), founded in 2020 by Kimani Gichuche, is working to address the unique challenges of remote, marginalised communities in Turkana. Drawing on the company’s experience in the solar sector, the business concept was an idea borne out of an assignment Kimani undertook back in 2016 assessing different value chains in Northern Kenya. 

Bridging the cooling gap

Adili Solar Hubs has its head office in Lodwar, the capital of Turkana County. After an hour’s drive, and a 30-minute boat ride over the peninsula, we arrived at Longech. At the centre of Adili’s operation is a cold chain hub that was installed in 2021 with the support from the Efficiency for Access Research and Development Fund, a fund managed by Energy Saving Trust and funded by the IKEA Foundation and UK aid from the UK government via the Transforming Energy Access platform, that catalyses innovation in off-grid appliances.  Equipped with chest freezers, an ice machine and a cold room, the hub offers much-needed cooling and fish processing facilities for Lake Turkana’s fisherfolk, improving quality and market value of their catch.  The hub sources power from the solar mini grid installed by NAL Offgrid and water from the neighbouring well which is purified by the water treatment unit set up by Adili. 

Fishing in Lake Turkana is underutilised due to the long distances traders face in transporting fish to areas of demands such as Eldoret or Nairobi and misconceptions about the quality of its fish compared to Lake Victoria’s catch. This low demand and lack of storage facilities has forced fisherfolk to rely on traditional methods such as sun-drying, salting, or smoking to preserve their catch. However, these methods lower fish’s value as fast as it dehydrates under the intensely hot Turkana sun. Recognising this untapped potential, Adili provides fisherfolk with a market for fresh fish, by offering to buy their catch for KES 250 per kilogram, increasing their earnings from a mere KES 20, while reducing post-harvest losses.

Scaling operations for greater impact

Adili is currently scaling up its infrastructure to meet the growing demand and improve the unit economics. Planned upgrades include a larger cold room, a higher-capacity ice machine, and dedicated solar panels for expanded operations. With these improvements, the company aims to process larger quantities of fish at its hub, producing fillets that meet market preferences and lower transportation costs. Through filleting, Adili separates the premium boneless fish meat from heads and bones, which are still valuable for nutrition and flavour, and often used for soups in schools and communities. Adili will also provide ice and cool boxes to fisherfolk to preserve freshness during fishing and transportation.

Exploring Solar eCooking Potential

To tap into Kenya’s high demand for fried fish, Adili is exploring opportunities to integrate solar-powered eCooking technologies into its operations. During our visit, we observed trials of induction stoves to prepare fish and chips. While energy efficiency results were inconclusive, taste tests were unanimously positive, signalling potential for commercial adoption. Frying, a staple method in fast and street food preparation, offers a compelling case for solar-powered cooking in Turkana. MECS is keen to support Adili in generating insights into eCooking’s challenges and opportunities for commercial applications, particularly in frying, which has been less studied than household-level cooking.

Building Sustainable Food Systems

Adili Solar Hubs’ integrated approach combines clean energy, food value chains, and innovative cooking solutions, creating a sustainable model for marginalised communities. By scaling and integrating eCooking into its operations, Adili is helping to improve food security, boost incomes, and demonstrate the transformative potential of clean energy in underserved regions.

With support from LEIA and MECS, Adili Solar Hubs is paving the way for sustainable, inclusive energy solutions that address pressing local needs while contributing to global goals.

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Featured Image: Artisanal salting and fish drying, Longech lakeside. Photo credit: Jacob Fodio Todd, 2024.