German investors seek to turn waste into profits
A group of German investors is eyeing Kenya’s neglected waste water management with a promise to turn the sector into a booming business.
The group consisting of more than 20 water and sanitation companies is holding a two-day meeting in Nairobi ending today to discuss investment opportunities in waste water.
The investors include Tuv Sud Group, Ribeka, Bilfinga, Cella Brunnenhau, Homa, and Mosslein. They deal in the water and treatment sector.
“German-Kenyan business relations are on a good trajectory. Kenya offers a good market for German goods and acts as a hub for the East African region market.
“We are supporting stronger engagements that will benefit both of us,” said German deputy ambassador Friedo Sielemann, who welcomed the delegation.
The companies are seeking to partner with established firms in the rare trade, fund the sector’s businesses, and provide high quality machinery to enhance business.
Mr Ashok Patel, a consultant in the industry, said the group has the capacity to make investments worth over Sh50 billion.
The waste industry in Kenya is diverse, with industrial and domestic waste forming the main pollutants.
Poor drainage water, sewer, and industry waste can be treated and re-used in the same industries.
This could save the country more than Sh500,000 daily, according to experts in the sector.
Kenya has a huge potential in the trade. Kenya Water Institute statistics show that although Kenya has about 4,000 industries, only 400 of them have treatment plants.
