Ministry of Energy in Uganda and SNV launch biodigester project

Ministry of Energy and Mineral Development and SNV Netherlands Development Organisations (SNV) Uganda has launched the Africa Biodigester Component (ABC) project, which aims to boost access to biodigesters for circular agriculture and renewable energy.

The three-year project, running until 2025 targets the installation of at least 8,000 small-scale biodigesters across Uganda, providing energy access for at least 40,000 people.

Speaking during the launch in Entebbe today, SNV Uganda Country Director Phomolo Maphosa said the energy sector is still dominated by solid biomass, mainly firewood and charcoal, which contributes 88.6% of the country’s consumable energy.

'Biodigesters offer increased benefits in the form of clean energy for cooking, and organic fertilisers for agricultural production, which will mitigate against the effects of deforestation and soil degradation' she said.

ABC Uganda aims to promote the scaling of biodigester technology towards agricultural value chains, both tangible in terms of increased agricultural production and intangible benefits such as reducing exposure to indoor air pollution, long-term soil improvement, water retention capacity and carbon capture.

To achieve this, the ABC project will adopt information and awareness-raising provision of Business Development Support to biodigester companies and strengthen the biodigester business model for end-users. Furthermore, the project will support Government and Sector Institutions in developing an Enabling Environment that stimulates the involvement of the private sector.

All these provide communities with renewable energy, agriculture, health, employment and environmental benefits, such as the production of bio-slurry as organic fertiliser, job creation, improved livelihood, and reduced environmental pollution. The project will explore the commercialisation of bio-slurry as organic fertiliser to increase farm output and create new revenue streams for biodigester owners.

In his remarks, Hon Peter Lokeris, State Minister for Mineral Development, appreciated SNV and the ABC consortium for supporting the government’s Biomass strategy to promote modern technologies for cooking.

The ABC project will be implemented as a joint effort by a consortium of SNV, the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) and Biogas Solution Uganda Limited (BSUL) in co-development support of the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO). SNV, as lead implementer, takes responsibility for overall project management and stakeholder coordination and in cooperation with BSUL, for further strengthening the sector's demand and supply. GIZ’s vast experience will be used to support key sector actors to improve the enabling environment for the biodigester sub-sector in Uganda.

For more information, please contact

Angelina Wik, Country Communications Uganda - awik@snv.org or Christine Kasemiire, Communications Officer ABC Project -  ckasemiire@snv.org

Also, you can visit the Uganda country page.