From Rural Incubators to a Continental Vision
When I first began this journey, I only wanted to solve a local problem—how to hatch chicks in rural Kenya using clean, affordable energy. I had no idea that idea would grow into something much bigger: a continental movement to unlock Africa’s vast but overlooked geothermal energy potential for sustainable agriculture and community development.
The Beginning: A Simple Idea, A Big Dream
Geotto started as an effort to build geothermal-powered egg incubators for rural farmers in Kenya. The concept was born from a need I witnessed firsthand—many farmers were eager to improve productivity but lacked the resources or access to reliable energy.
At that stage, I was still figuring things out. My vision was small, limited to my immediate environment, and I didn’t know anyone else who shared this kind of ambition. That changed when I joined the beVisioneers the Mercedes Benz Fellowship, a transformative experience that challenged me, exposed me to new perspectives, and expanded the very way I saw my project.
A Turning Point in Johannesburg
Attending the regional beVisioneers summit in Johannesburg was a pivotal moment. Meeting other innovators from across Africa opened my eyes—not only to the diverse challenges we face but also to the deep well of creativity and resilience on this continent. I didn’t feel alone anymore. I came back home energized, inspired, and ready to do more.
I started reaching out to more communities, speaking with local changemakers, and refining my innovation. That curiosity led to even greater opportunities.
Going Beyond Borders: The Nigerian Experience
Thanks to travel scholarships from TEA-LP and Tovero Ltd, I traveled to Nigeria to attend the AICCEES conference at the University of Port Harcourt. There, I presented an article on geothermal energy utilization, and emerged as the best presenter.
The experience was humbling and eye-opening. It became clear how underutilized geothermal energy is across Africa, despite the massive potential. Most people I met didn’t even know such a resource existed beneath their feet. This realization broadened my vision: Geotto wasn’t just a Kenyan solution—it could be a pan-African solution.
The Power of Community and Collaboration
Back home, I found strength in collaboration. Through the beVisioneers local hub, I connected with innovators like Ayoti, who explored geothermal use in food canning, and Kipyegon, who hosted us in Kericho and introduced us to new community prospects. Vivian, with her biogas project, welcomed us to Nyandarua, where we learned about the first sugar beet company in East Africa.
I visited Bomet, Baringo, Meru, and many other regions, talking to farmers, learning their pain points, and dreaming up ways clean energy and IoT could solve real-world problems.
A Mission Reinforced in Dar es Salaam
Earlier this year, I traveled to Uganda to explore expansion prospects. Most recently, I attended a high-level geothermal energy forum in Dar es Salaam organized by the African Union’s Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF).
There, I met stakeholders from Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, and global consultants from Germany and Iceland. But something struck me—I was the only startup founder in the room. The space was dominated by governments and large corporations.
That moment forced me to reflect: Why is geothermal energy so expensive and out of reach for small players? Why can't we democratize it the way we’ve done with solar? Why is awareness so low despite the abundance beneath our feet?
Those questions became my fuel.
A New Model: Energy as a Service
Inspired and more focused than ever, I’ve refined Geotto’s model. We now offer geothermal energy as a service—a decentralized system where farmers can bring eggs or farm produce to our hubs and have them processed using geothermal heat at an affordable rate.
We're building a smart, IoT-powered network of geothermal applications for incubation, drying, clean cooking, and heating, accessible to rural communities. With the right support, we aim to scale this model across East and West Africa—starting with Kenya and Nigeria.
Lessons from the Fellowship
The beVisioneers program has elevated me, not just as an innovator, but as a systems thinker. From learning about CLD models, iceberg frameworks, and bias psychology to practical lessons on prototyping, MVPs, stakeholder engagement, and financial strategy, the fellowship gave me tools I never knew I needed.
My mentors, Mellilize and Jochen, were instrumental in helping me focus and navigate some of my toughest challenges, like building a strong team and managing community expectations with limited resources. Today, I’m proud to say I have two co-founders—one from Kenya and one from Nigeria—who are as committed to the vision as I am.
Looking Ahead
Our next steps are clear: pilot the service model in key regions, expand our geothermal infrastructure network, deepen community training, and secure funding to scale. I believe Geotto can be a catalyst—not just for clean energy—but for climate resilience, food security, and rural empowerment.
We’ve shared this journey publicly through our website www.geotto.org and social media, and we’ll continue to publish insights, invite collaborators, and tell stories that inspire action.
Final Thoughts
This journey has taken me from a small idea in rural Kenya to stages in Nigeria, Uganda, Tanzania, and beyond. It has taught me that passion, community, and curiosity can break barriers. Most of all, it’s reminded me that big change often starts in the most unexpected places—with a spark, a story, and the courage to dream boldly.
To beVisioneers, my mentors, my community, and everyone who has believed in Geotto—thank you.