The first thing a visitor notices at Green Sevenrex Ventures is not the size of the farm, but the rhythm of activity. Workers call instructions to one another as they move between stations, their hands blackened by the raw materials fed into machines that compress them into briquettes. Nearby, others carefully carry the freshly made briquettes to drying racks, stacking them in neat rows to cure before they are ready for market.
It is this coordinated effort that powers a business that has grown remarkably in just two years. Today, Green Sevenrex Ventures produces and sells up to four tonnes of briquettes every week, supplying customers across Kenya. The enterprise now has its sights set on scaling production to 10 tonnes per week through the acquisition of a briquette extruder financed by the Kenya Climate Innovation Center (KCIC) under the Sustainable Waste Innovation for a Future Transformation (SWIFT) Programme.
For founder Caleb Nyaaga, the enterprise's growth is closely tied to the support received through the programme. "The support given to us by KCIC has been instrumental in growing the business to where it is today. The mentorship, training and access to finance have enabled us to refine our business model. Now, with the briquette extruder machine, we will be able to produce over 10 tonnes of briquettes per week," said Nyaaga.
Green Sevenrex Ventures was one of several enterprises visited by the KCIC team during the programme's monitoring and evaluation exercise as the SWIFT Programme nears its conclusion. Led by SWIFT Programme Manager Christine Mbaabu, the team toured production facilities to assess the progress made since enterprises joined the programme, document key milestones, and engage founders on the challenges that remain. The visits also provided an opportunity to identify practical solutions and support that could strengthen the businesses' long-term sustainability beyond the programme.
Green Sevenrex Ventures' story was echoed across the counties visited. While each enterprise operates in a different context and sector, the objective of the visits remained the same: to monitor progress, evaluate programme outcomes, capture lessons learned, and better understand the support enterprises still require to sustain and scale their impact.
Rather than relying solely on reports and performance indicators, the field visits allowed the programme team to witness progress firsthand. Walking through production facilities, meeting employees, and engaging directly with entrepreneurs offered a richer understanding of how programme support has translated into tangible business growth.
Across the enterprises visited, the team observed businesses expanding their production capacity, improving operational efficiency, strengthening internal systems, and reaching new markets. Several enterprises have invested in better equipment, diversified their product offerings, and created employment opportunities within their communities. These achievements reflect not only the determination of the entrepreneurs but also the value of targeted business support in strengthening Kenya's green economy.
The visits also created space for honest conversations about the realities of running sustainable enterprises. Entrepreneurs openly shared both their successes and the challenges that continue to shape their businesses, including access to affordable financing, market expansion, rising production costs, and the need for advanced technologies to meet growing demand. These discussions provided valuable insights into areas where strategic partnerships and continued ecosystem support can accelerate enterprise growth even after the programme ends.
Beyond measuring results, the monitoring exercise reinforced the importance of learning throughout programme implementation. It enabled the SWIFT team to validate programme outcomes while gathering practical insights that will inform future enterprise support initiatives. By documenting what has worked, where challenges persist, and how entrepreneurs have adapted to changing market conditions, the team is building a stronger evidence base for future interventions.
"These visits gave us the opportunity to go beyond the reports and experience the impact of the SWIFT Programme firsthand. It was encouraging to see enterprises growing in confidence, expanding their operations, creating jobs and delivering sustainable solutions within their communities. While we celebrate the progress made, the visits also helped us identify the remaining gaps and opportunities to ensure these businesses continue to thrive long after the programme concludes," said Christine Mbaabu, SWIFT Programme Manager at KCIC.
The field visits highlighted the resilience of Kenya's green entrepreneurs. Despite operating in a challenging business environment, many enterprises have continued to innovate, create jobs, reduce waste, and provide climate-smart solutions that contribute to sustainable economic development. Their ability to adapt and grow demonstrates the long-term potential of investing in locally driven innovation.
Back at Green Sevenrex Ventures, another batch of briquettes is carefully stacked to dry, each one representing more than a cleaner source of fuel. They symbolize the determination of entrepreneurs who have transformed opportunity into enterprise and the impact that sustained support can have on local innovation.
As the SWIFT Programme enters its final chapter, enterprises like Green Sevenrex Ventures stand as a testament to what is possible when ambition is matched with mentorship, strategic partnerships and access to finance. While the programme may be approaching its end, the foundations it has helped build will continue to power businesses, create livelihoods and drive Kenya's and Africa’s transition to a greener, more inclusive economy for years to come.