FUTURE OF INSTITUTIONAL COOKING IN AFRICA
Adumu Limited, a visionary enterprise founded by Jeremiah Mabiria and Victor Wanjohi,
is revolutionizing the cooking experience for institutions across Africa with their
innovative cooking system, called Adumu. This groundbreaking venture sprouted in 2023,
from the seeds of the Jasiri Talent Investor Programme in Rwanda, which brings together
bright minds to address African challenges through sustainable solutions.
Drawing from their rich backgrounds in aviation, Mabiria, a pilot, and Wanjohi, an
aeronautical engineer, they chose to tackle the inefficient and environmentally
detrimental cooking methods prevalent in institutional settings. Their journey led to the
development of the Adumu cooking system, an advanced solution that amalgamates
various existing technologies. By integrating improved firewood stoves, industrial boilers,
and the Internet of Things, Adumu Limited has created a system that not only boosts
cooking efficiency but also yields significant economic and environmental benefits.
The Adumu cooking system, adeptly named to reflect its comprehensive benefits, goes
beyond mere cooking. It incorporates solar power for ignition, subsequently utilizing
excess energy to provide solar lighting and water pumping, demonstrating a holistic
approach to institutional needs. This system has proven especially beneficial in schools,
where it has dramatically reduced cooking time and operational costs, marking a 50%
decrease in cooking durations and a drop from USD1.90 to USD 1.10 per hour in their pilot
testing.
Adumu’s path hasn’t been without challenges, particularly in the early stages of research
and design. However, the clear need for sustainable solutions in Kenyan schools, driven by
stringent climate action laws, has opened doors for widespread acceptance of their
technology. As they gear up for a commercial launch, Adumu Limited is poised to scale
their impact, starting from Nairobi and expanding their reach to empower more
institutions across the continent. With a focus on partnerships and community
engagement, Adumu is not just a business; it’s a movement set to transform the
landscape of institutional cooking in Africa.
Adumu Ltd is a beneficiary of Startup Savanna. Startup Savanna aims to connect
the Kenyan ecosystem to international experts, investment, and support infrastructure, contributing to job creation, GDP growth, digital transformation, and sustainability.