Overview of the project

In East Africa, in the Rift Valley that stretches from the Red Sea to Mozambique, geological characteristics lead to the existence of a strong geothermal heat flow that results in geothermal phenomena at the surface (fumaroles, steam, hot springs, etc.). Currently, these phenomena are rarely exploited due to the lack of suitable technologies, however, geothermal energy enables the production of renewable energy and water, while providing climatic resilience. Indeed, the  low altitude Rift Valley, in some places below sea level, is characterised by a very dry climate as compared to the neighbouring plateaus. Nevertheless, the pastoralist indigenous peoples (Afar, Pokot, Masaï, etc.) living there have historically been removed from developments; and when development has taken place on their land (as in Olkaria in Kenya), the populations are relocated outside their ancestral lands, thus losing their ability to continue to live off their natural resources.

The project aims to empower these people to take charge of developing the resources on their land for their benefit, ensuring climatic resilience and a truly sustainable perspective despite climate change.