In 1990, a 20-year-old Peter Scott embarked on a journey to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he witnessed the devastating impact of deforestation firsthand.
During an interview with Nation, Scott revealed that the primary driver behind the widespread tree cutting in the forests was the production of charcoal.
This experience had a profound impact on him, sparking a lifelong commitment to combating deforestation in Africa.
“I saw deforestation in Congo from charcoal production, and I got down on my knees and wept. I promised myself that I would dedicate the rest of my life to protecting Africa’s forests,” Scott shared.
By 1997, Scott had channeled his passion into becoming a designer of fuel-efficient cooking stoves.
“I’ve always been concerned about the planet, so this wasn’t completely out of the blue, but it was in 1997 that I realized I could contribute to saving Africa’s forests through cookstove design,” he said.
After 13 years as a consultant, Scott left his career to collaborate with top designers and engineers in a research retreat.
The goal was to develop a cooking stove that would not only help combat deforestation but also address health issues in communities reliant on charcoal and firewood for cooking.
Following this productive retreat, Scott introduced the Jikokoa stove in 2013, securing Ksh 1.5 billion in funding through a mix of equity, grants, and loans.
He then moved to Kenya, where he founded Burn Manufacturing in Ruiru.
“When people talk about manufacturing in Africa, they often mean assembly, not full-scale manufacturing,” Scott explained, adding, “No other cookstove company makes their own products. They might design them, but they don’t manufacture them—we are unmatched in manufacturing expertise.”
The facility directly employs over 500 people, with another 300 indirectly involved in sales, marketing, and distribution.
“We’re experiencing tremendous growth, and what’s interesting is that people often overlook Africa as a great place for manufacturing,” Scott noted. “The grid is very green—75-80 percent renewable—and the workforce is incredibly hardworking and dedicated.”
Looking ahead, Scott plans to introduce five new products and expand the production capacity in Kenya from 250,000 to 1 million units per month.
