BURN, Clean Stove Manufacturer Opens New Factory in Kiambu

BURN, a manufacturer of clean cooking stoves has constructed a new factory in Kiambu County, increasing the company’s capacity for production.

The business focuses on making clean cooking briquettes, cookers, and stoves for domestic and international use.

It plans to expand into the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Zambia, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, and Ghana.

The company raised Sh507.2 million ($4 million) from foreign investors last year to increase its manufacturing capacity and enter the aforementioned African markets.

Spark+ made the investment through a long-term quasi-equity.

An Sh8.9 billion ($70 million) impact investment fund called Spark+ Africa Fund supports businesses that provide next-generation, distributed cooking energy solutions to the sub-Saharan African mass market.

“This transaction is the result of a long and fruitful relationship with BURN. We’re incredibly pleased how the BURN team has leveraged a $500,000 start-up grant from the Clean Cooking Alliance in 2013 to become a true leader in its space,” Spark+ Investment Director and Chairman of SMC Peter George said.

“This investment also illustrates the role Spark+ intends to play in scaling up growth-stage ventures, and we look forward to supporting BURN as it extends its reach across Africa.”