The Fundi Forum: Building Skills, Building Trust

Every strong building starts with someone who knows how to put it together right. Behind every solid biodigester, every leak free plumbing job, every grease trap that actually works the way it should, there’s a fundi who took the time to learn the trade properly. That’s exactly what the Fundi Forum is about.

The Fundi Forum is a hands on training and networking platform designed for plumbers, fundis, contractors, masons, builders, artisans, hardware owners, developers, site supervisors and construction professionals across Kenya. It was started by Bio Tank Africa as part of a bigger mission: improving sanitation standards in the country while economically empowering the people who install and maintain those systems every day.

The idea for the forum didn’t come out of nowhere. It came from something the Bio Tank Africa team kept seeing on the ground, sanitation systems failing not because the products were poor, but because installation practices were below par. Many plumbers simply hadn’t had access to proper technical training on modern sanitation technologies. Bio Tank Africa saw an opportunity to close that gap, and the Fundi Forum was born.

So what actually happens at a Fundi Forum session?

Participants get free technical training and hands on installation demonstrations covering things like biodigester installation best practices, plumbing standards and troubleshooting, grease trap installation, drainage systems, and site safety. But it goes beyond the technical side. Sessions also cover the business side of the trade, quotation and pricing skills, customer service, digital marketing for fundis, and financial management for artisans. It’s as much about helping fundis run better businesses as it is about helping them do better installations.

There’s also real value in the room itself. The forum brings together contractors, suppliers, hardware owners and fundis in one space, creating networking opportunities that often turn into new business, referrals, subcontracting opportunities, and long term client relationships that wouldn’t have happened otherwise.

Participants who complete training sessions can walk away with a certificate of participation and recognition as a trained installer within the Bio Tank Africa network, something that builds real credibility with customers who want assurance that the person doing the work knows what they’re doing.

The Fundi Forum runs under Bio Tank Africa’s wider Kuwa Mbele Campaign, which focuses on empowering communities through innovation, sanitation awareness, skills development and economic transformation. Through this campaign, Bio Tank Africa continues to champion sustainable sanitation solutions while lifting up the local fundis and artisans doing the real work on the ground.

Forums are held regularly throughout the year, with schedules depending on county partnerships and regional demand, and coverage continues to expand into new counties, both urban and rural, so that fundis everywhere can access the same opportunities.

Whether you’re an experienced contractor who’s been in the trade for years or a young fundi just starting out, there’s a seat for you at the Fundi Forum. All that’s asked is a willingness to learn and grow.

Follow our socials for upcoming forum dates near you.

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