Adeso
Adeso is an African non-profit transitioning into a social enterprise, delivering community-led humanitarian programs in Somalia, the Kuja digital platform for Global South civil society, the Durdur Water Enterprise, and the Proximate Fund.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersNairobi, Kenya
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Adeso firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Adeso
- Legal name
- Adeso
- Website
- https://adesoafrica.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Adeso is an African non-profit transitioning into a social enterprise, delivering community-led humanitarian programs in Somalia, the Kuja digital platform for Global South civil society, the Durdur Water Enterprise, and the Proximate Fund.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where Adeso is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Nairobi
- HQ country
- Kenya
- HQ region
- Africa
Offices3 records
Markets served
Adeso business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Grant Funding: Adeso historically received bilateral funding from donors including USAID. The organization has made a strategic decision to end bilateral public funding and transition to diversified revenue sources. Currently fundraising for design and planning grants as well as seed capital for the Proximate Fund.
- Donations: Individual and organizational donations from supporters globally. Adeso accepts donations through platforms like every.org for their drought response and general operations.
- Social Enterprise Revenue: Earned income from social enterprises including Kuja platform services and Durdur Water Enterprise. Adeso aims to generate all core operating costs through earned income by 2030.
- Endowment: Adeso is building toward a $50 million endowment by 2035 as part of long-term financial sustainability strategy.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels8 records
Adeso product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Adeso is an African social enterprise that implements direct humanitarian and development programs in Somalia (water, sanitation, hygiene, education, livelihoods, environmental protection) and operates social enterprises including the Kuja digital platform (connecting Global South CSOs to funders) and the Durdur Water Enterprise (piped water utility in Northern Somalia). It also convenes global advocacy initiatives — NEAR network and Pledge for Change 2030 — to shift power and resourcing to locally led development actors.
Product overview
Adeso is an African social enterprise with global influence that operates as both a nonprofit organization implementing direct programs in Somalia and an incubator of social enterprises. The portfolio includes Kuja (digital platform with KujaLink, KujaBuild, KujaLearn, and KujaAdvise modules for connecting organizations to funding), Durdur Water Enterprise (water utilities social enterprise in Somalia), Saxansaxo (survivor and community-led response initiative), Proximate Fund (African philanthropy investment fund), NEAR network, and Pledge for Change 2030 (INGO coalition for decolonizing aid). Adeso is transitioning from a grant-dependent NGO to a diversified social enterprise generating earned income through its commercial ventures.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Kuja: African social enterprise digital platform powered by Adeso that connects local organizations to funding and operational support through KujaLink, KujaBuild, KujaLearn, and KujaAdvise services.
- Durdur Water Enterprise
- Proximate Fund
- Saxansaxo
- Pledge for Change 2030
Products and services
- Kuja Digital Platform African social enterprise digital platform powered by Adeso that connects civil society organizations in the Global South to funders, networks, and development practitioners for networking, learning, funding, and collaboration.
- Durdur Water Enterprise Water utilities social enterprise providing clean, affordable, and reliable piped water to communities in water-scarce parts of Northern Somalia, reducing water costs by 86% and serving 12,000+ people.
- Proximate Fund Pooled donor collaborative co-created with African Philanthropy Forum and NEAR, channeling resources directly to African civil society and grassroots leaders through nationally governed country funds.
- Saxansaxo (Survivor and Community-Led Response)
Quantifiable outcome
- 86% reduction in water costs for communities served by Durdur Water Enterprise
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Adeso
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Adeso technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Adeso partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Pledge for Change 2030coreAdeso convened and co-founded Pledge for Change in October 2022 with bold INGOs making public commitments to shift power to local organizations in Global South. Focuses on equitable partnerships, authentic storytelling, and influencing wider change. Coalition includes 13 INGOs.
- NEAR (Network for Empowered Aid Response)coreCo-founded at the 2016 World Humanitarian Summit. NEAR is a network of local and national aid organizations from the Global South, reaching 227 members. Adeso's advocacy for localization led to the establishment goal of directing 25% of humanitarian resourcing to local actors by 2020.
- African Philanthropy ForumcorePartnership of three organizations (with NEAR and Adeso) to co-create the Proximate Fund. African Philanthropy Forum brings African philanthropy expertise to the initiative.
- Local to Global ProtectioncoreCollaborative partner on sclr (survivor and community-led response) approach, contributing to Saxansaxo co-design workshop and methodology development.
- Casa Socio-Environmental FundcoreCo-convened UNGA 2024 dialogue on locally led development alongside Adeso, African Philanthropy Forum, NEAR, Alight, and WINGS.
- WINGScoreCo-convened UNGA 2024 dialogue on philanthropy advancing locally led development.
- AlightcoreCo-convened UNGA 2024 dialogue on philanthropy advancing locally led development.
- CARE InternationalcoreSignatory to Pledge for Change, committed to equitable partnerships with local organizations.
- Christian AidcoreSignatory to Pledge for Change, committed to shifting power to local organizations.
- Plan InternationalcoreSignatory to Pledge for Change with commitment to locally led development through 'All Girls Standing Strong' strategy.
- Save the Children InternationalcoreSignatory to Pledge for Change, committed to equitable partnerships.
- Oxfam InternationalcoreSignatory to Pledge for Change, committed to shifting power and resources to local actors.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Adeso competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- BRAC: Largest development non-profit globally with a portfolio of social enterprises across health, education, and finance in the Global South. Directly comparable to Adeso for its dual NGO-plus-social-enterprise model, scale of community reach, and focus on locally led solutions.
- Mercy Corps: Global humanitarian and development organization with significant East Africa operations and growing focus on localization and innovation. Comparable to Adeso for shared donor base, geographic overlap, and participation in Pledge for Change.
- International Rescue Committee (IRC): Major humanitarian aid organization operating in conflict-affected countries including Somalia. Comparable to Adeso for shared operating geography, donor base, and crisis-response programming.
- Direct Relief: Large humanitarian aid organization focused on health and emergency response globally. Comparable to Adeso for similar funding model (foundation and individual donor mix), global footprint, and scale of community-level programming.
Direct peers
- TechnoServe: International non-profit working on economic development in the developing world with enterprise-based solutions. Comparable to Adeso for its use of business approaches to solve development challenges and concentration in East Africa.
- Water.org: Global non-profit combining philanthropic capital with market-based financing to expand water access. Comparable to Adeso for its focus on financial sustainability in water delivery and use of social enterprise mechanisms alongside grant-funded models.
- WaterAid: International non-profit focused on providing clean water, sanitation, and hygiene in low-income countries. Directly comparable to Adeso's Durdur Water Enterprise footprint, both in mission (rural water access) and operating geography (East Africa).
- GlobalGiving: Non-profit crowdfunding platform connecting donors with vetted local non-profits globally. Most directly comparable to Adeso's KujaLink for its role as a digital intermediary between CSOs and funders.
- One Acre Fund: African social enterprise serving smallholder farmers with a bundled service model combining inputs, finance, and training. Comparable to Adeso for its African-rooted service delivery, hybrid revenue model (earned income + philanthropy), and rural reach.
- Candid (formerly Foundation Center): Information platform providing data and tools on the philanthropic sector, including Foundation Directory. Comparable to Adeso's KujaLink for providing visibility infrastructure for non-profits seeking funding.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Adeso social profiles
Digital presenceAdeso financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Adeso leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles11 records
Adeso subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
Adeso funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Adeso M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Adeso
What does Adeso do?
Adeso is an African social enterprise that implements direct humanitarian and development programs in Somalia (water, sanitation, hygiene, education, livelihoods, environmental protection) and operates social enterprises including the Kuja digital platform (connecting Global South CSOs to funders) and the Durdur Water Enterprise (piped water utility in Northern Somalia). It also convenes global advocacy initiatives — NEAR network and Pledge for Change 2030 — to shift power and resourcing to locally led development actors.
Is Adeso a public or private company?
Adeso is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Adeso founded?
Adeso was founded in 1991. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Adeso based?
Adeso is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, in the Africa region.
How does Adeso make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Grant Funding is the primary driver. The others are donations, social Enterprise Revenue and endowment.
Who are Adeso's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are BRAC, Mercy Corps, International Rescue Committee (IRC) and Direct Relief. Direct peers are TechnoServe, Water.org, WaterAid, GlobalGiving, One Acre Fund and Candid (formerly Foundation Center).
Does Adeso have an API?
No public API is recorded for Adeso.