Clean Energy for Food Processing — Nabahya Food Institute (Tanganyika)

Energy-efficient processing, clean cookstoves and value-chain electrification to cut post-harvest losses and save energy across Tanganyika.

Project snapshot

Operational area: Tanganyika (Kalemie, Kabalo, Moba, Manono, Kongolo).
NFI evidence: NFI’s interventions have contributed to 80,958,967 kWh saved across NFI’s food value-chain activities — this project scales those approaches in Tanganyika.

Reduce energy consumption in key processing steps (drying, milling, cooking) by 30–60% through improved equipment and workflow.
Cut post-harvest losses by 25% for targeted commodities via improved drying and storage.
Establish 8 community processing hubs with energy-efficient equipment and enterprise linkages.

Equipment upgrades: Introduce improved dryers, insulated ovens, efficient grinders and fuel-efficient stoves adapted to local crops and volumes.
Process optimization: Reorganize the processing chain (batch scheduling, pre-drying, solar dryer integration) to reduce energy per unit processed.
Training & enterprise support: Business & technical training for hub managers and women-led processors; packaging and market preparation.
Energy monitoring: Simple metering and monthly energy-use dashboards to track kWh saved and efficiency gains.

kWh saved (project target): 1–5 million kWh over 2 years across hubs.
Processing hubs established: 6–8 community hubs.
Post-harvest loss reduction: target -25% for participating groups.
Enterprises supported: 10+ small processors trained and connected to markets.

Phase 1 (Months 0–4): Needs assessment, equipment selection, partner hub identification.
Phase 2 (Months 5–14): Install equipment, train hub teams, start operations and energy monitoring.
Phase 3 (Months 15–24): Scale best practices to additional hubs, document case studies, pursue local financing for replication.

Monthly energy meters, throughput logs, loss audits and business performance tracking. MEL officer coordinates learning and case documentation.