Oil Processing Technologies

In 1992 the Kenyan government removed price controls on essential commodities and the price of cooking oil almost tripled in a few weeks. KickStart realized that the small-scale production and sale of cooking oil could be a very profitable small business opportunity if only the right technology was available to local entrepreneurs.

Starting in 1993 KickStart engineers designed a manually operated oilseed press that is ideally suited for small-scale sunflower cooking oil businesses in East Africa. Called the “Mafuta Mali” (meaning “oil wealth” in Kiswahili), it was based on an original “ram press” design by Carl Bielenberg but was designed to be more efficient, durable and profitable to use. KickStart also developed and designed the first Gravity Bucket Filter to go with the press and developed a complete set of tooling for local mass production of both the press and filter. In 1994, KickStart trained four local engineering firms to manufacture the new presses.

The press extracts oil from sunflower, sesame, and other oil seeds. The filter produces clear, cold-pressed, nutritious cooking oil ready for sale or consumption. The seedcake by-product is valued as a high protein animal feed supplement.

The KickStart Oilseed Press Business Package includes: a press, a bucket filter, a detailed manual, spare parts and a tool kit. It has been selected as the manual oilseed press of choice by numerous other international development organisations.

From 1994 to 1999, with funding from the Netherlands government and the British DFID, KickStart promoted the new press and the small-scale production of cooking oil and seedcake as a profitable business venture in Kenya.

Impacts in Kenya through end 2003:

• 3 manufacturers making oilseed presses
• Over 1,050 presses sold
• Over 700 oilseed pressing businesses created or expanded
• Over 1,500 new jobs in oil pressing businesses
• Over 8,000 new jobs in related activities
• Increased sunflower cultivation in Kenya
• Improved nutrition for people and livestock

KickStart used original promotional strategies to maximize awareness and sales including:

• Mobile truck demonstrations
• Radio and newspaper advertisements
• Exhibitions at trade fairs
• Media exposure

Local manufacturers and retailers sold the presses and the project also promoted the increased production and sales of improved varieties of sunflower, sesame, oil-rape and safflower seeds.

Although the number of new businesses could still be increased with further promotion, the manufacture and sale of KickStart oilseed presses is now self-sustaining in the private sector in Kenya. The machines are available from local manufacturers, entrepreneurs continue to establish profitable small scale cooking oil businesses, and farmers continue to increase the local production of oilseeds. This profitable technology continues to result in new jobs, economic growth, and improved nutrition for people and livestock.