Leroy Mwasaru: the social entrepreneur rethinking green energy in Kenya

Since those early days Greenpact has grown into an international company thats distributes affordable, high-quality biogas digester systems, allowing others to make energy from waste. But Leroy has not stopped there. Brimming with ideas, he’s created social networks that allow school children to share resources like tennis rackets across wealth gaps, as well as making serious headway in solar energy schemes. No wonder Forbes Africa named him one of its ’30 under 30’.

Given its been six months since we first met, we wanted to catch up with Leroy to see how Greenpact is progressing and to see what’s next for this world-changing entrepreneur.

You set up Greenpact in response to a very immediate issue at your school. How have you scaled up its remit to address problems nationwide?

Scaling Greenpact, I must admit, has been the toughest challenge I've ever had to take up, especially with a growing need for affordable renewable energy and proper sanitation. I’ve navigated through the space as a young entrepreneur by knocking on different doors. With a mixture of grants and investor money, we have been able to raise capital to try and address the market need. Still, there is a lot to be done. 

Green energy is obviously good for the environment, but does it have social or economic implications for Kenya too?

Green energy is a big bet. There is a lot to be realised both socially and economically. More often, these benefits are mostly seen in the long run. So there's a lot of nudging we do – like holding workshops – to make local communities realise the socio-economic opportunity green energy presents especially in Kenya.

How has your young age been a help and hindrance in terms of being taken seriously as an entrepreneur?

My young age has been a share of both good and bad, mostly good. A good thing is that I get a good chance at failing and learning quick. Youth-driven solutions are highly considered and also I have the ability to think differently. Once in a while I might not be taken seriously at a board meeting based on my age and proposals are declined but I guess those are some of the 'perks' that come with the job. 

We loved your piece on women’s rights on the Huffington Post. How does encouraging female African leaders intersect with Greenpact’s environmental aims?

Female empowerment is a cause close to my heart. Encouraging female African leadership within the entrepreneurship ecosystem is something I do consciously. Actually, one of Greenpact's directors holds a doctorate, an accolade in itself in what Greenpact has to offer in terms of service and product delivery. Also, when we look at the socio-economic problems faced by lack of access to affordable renewable energy and proper sanitation it's mostly the women who are at the receiving end. We can’t shy away from the fact that we have to design for women and children with our product offerings. 

What can we expect to see from you and from Greenpact in the next year?

I am having an interesting experience setting solid bases for Greenpact's subsidiary companies dealing with disruptive education, e-commerce and hospitality. In the long run I'll be heavily involved in problem-solving for public transport – a sad state in Kenya. There has been a great deal of exciting collaborations and expansions with Greenpact over the past few months. I guess you should soon be able to expect Greenpact to power your kitchen from Biogas from your own waste – a full circular economy!