Lean Energy Solutions has earned B Corp Certification in recognition of its work helping manufacturers across East Africa transition from imported fossil fuels to locally sourced renewable biomass energy.
The Nairobi-based industrial energy company was certified after an independent assessment of its environmental and social impact, governance, employee practices and contribution to customers and communities.
Lean Energy achieved a score of 87.5 points in B Lab’s B Impact Assessment, exceeding the 80-point threshold required for certification.
The recognition comes as manufacturers face growing pressure to reduce production costs, lower carbon emissions and limit exposure to foreign-exchange fluctuations while maintaining a reliable supply of thermal energy.
Lean Energy supports manufacturers through a Build-Own-Operate model under which it finances, installs, operates and maintains renewable biomass boiler systems. Customers pay only for the steam they consume, allowing them to adopt cleaner energy without making a major upfront capital investment or managing the infrastructure themselves.
The company uses locally available agricultural residues, including maize cobs and coffee husks, as industrial fuel. The approach helps reduce waste while creating additional economic value within local agricultural supply chains.
According to the company, its operations have reduced carbon emissions by 350,000 tonnes, generated four million person-days of employment and delivered USD 50 million in foreign-exchange savings for Kenya.
Lean Energy currently operates more than 20 boiler sites in Kenya and Tanzania, with a combined steam-generation capacity of 90 tonnes per hour.
Lean Energy Solutions Founder and Managing Director Dinesh Tembhekar said the certification strengthens the company’s ambition to support sustainable industrial growth across Africa.
“Africa’s industrial growth should not come at the expense of competitiveness or the environment. This certification strengthens our ambition to scale a model that gives manufacturers reliable, lower-carbon energy while building local value chains and reducing dependence on imported fuels,” Tembhekar said.
B Lab Africa Communications and Engagement Senior Associate Elizabeth Mutwiri said the assessment examined more than the products and services offered by the company.
“The assessment looks beyond a company’s products to how it is governed, how it supports its workers, creates value for communities and customers, and manages its environmental impact,” Mutwiri said.
She added that Lean Energy’s certification demonstrated that responsible business practices could be integrated into how an industrial company operates, competes and grows.
Established in 2007, Lean Energy provides renewable energy solutions for industrial clients across East Africa. Its services include biomass boiler projects, biomass briquette manufacturing and industrial energy audits.
The company said the certification would provide a foundation for its next phase of growth as it seeks to expand a commercially viable renewable energy model that strengthens African manufacturing while delivering measurable environmental and social benefits.
