Tech

Bio-Logical raises $1.3m to build climate resilience for Kenyan farmers

Published

4 months ago

July 20, 2024

Climate-tech company, Bio-Logical, has announced raising $1.3 million to build the climate resilience of Kenyan smallholder farmers.

The Nairobi-based firm which is a leading biochar carbon removal company in Kenya said the investment would expand their Mt. Kenya biochar facility to meet the increasing demand for carbon removal and support climate resilience for Kenyan smallholder farmers.

Co-CEO of Bio-Logical, Philip Hunter, in a statement, said the funding will enable the company to increase its carbon removal and fertiliser production capacity to become one of the largest biochar producers in the world, thereby boosting crop yields and climate resilience for thousands of smallholder farmers.

“Smallholder farmers, who are some of the worst affected people on earth when it comes to climate change, are currently suffering at the hands of a climate crisis they have played no part in,” Hunter said.

“At Bio-Logical, we use carbon removals to not only sequester carbon but also develop affordable soil regenerating fertiliser which boosts yields and improves the climate resilience of smallholder farmers throughout Kenya.”

The funding round, according to him, was led by a group of high net worths and other investors including CrossBoundary, Redshaw Advisors and existing investors the Steyn Group.

“This investment supports Bio-Logical’s goal of increasing its carbon removal capacity to 100,000 tonnes of CO2 annually over the next 18 months, with plans to establish three additional sites across Kenya.

“This funding round will play a pivotal role in scaling up our Mt.Kenya facility and building a tonnes blueprint for scale as we roll out three new sites throughout Kenya over the next 18 months,” Hunter added.

Related Topics:Bio-Logical Farmers Featured Funding Kenya

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Tech

Ghana partners with The Gambia to provide free roaming services

Published

9 hours ago

November 21, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Ghana and The Gambia are in the process of launching free roaming services that will enhance a West African connectivity.

The plan which is a joint initiative of the Ghana Ministry of Communications and Digitalisation and The Gambian National Communications Authority (NCA) will see mobile users in both countries avoiding extra charges for calls, texts, and data, which in turn, is expected to boost trade, tourism, and economic integration across borders.

The collaboration, according to a joint statement by the two bodies, aligns with the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) broader push for seamless regional communication.

“Ghana and The Gambia are forging new paths in West Africa’s digital landscape, implementing a free-roaming initiative,” the statement said.

“This move strengthens regional connectivity while highlighting the role of technological collaboration in fostering economic integration. The initiative enables mobile users travelling between the two nations to make calls, send messages, and use data services without additional roaming fees.”

It further noted that by reducing these costs, the program aligns with the ECOWAS Free Roaming Initiative, which seeks to eliminate barriers to communication across member states.

“It is a boost for trade and travel as the free roaming plan is expected to spur economic activities by streamlining cross-border communication.

“Businesses and individuals travelling between Ghana and The Gambia can now stay connected without worrying about exorbitant charges, facilitating smoother transactions and personal interactions. The initiative is also expected to attract more tourists by ensuring seamless digital access for visitors.

“This collaboration marks another milestone in Ghana’s commitment to expanding digital connectivity, following Ghana’s successful implementation of similar agreements with Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, and Benin, with talks of possible roaming partnerships with Liberia.

“By focusing on digital integration, Ghana and The Gambia demonstrate the power of technology to bridge gaps between countries. This step also serves as a model for other West African nations to join the free-roaming framework, contributing to the larger goal of a connected and economically integrated region,” it added.

Tech

Tanzania to host 6th Ocean Innovation Africa summit in February

Published

1 day ago

November 20, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, has been selected to host the sixth edition of the Ocean Innovation Africa (OIA) summit from February 24-28, 2025, as a flagship event within Regenerative Ocean Week.

The Ocean Innovation Africa is set to be Africa’s most significant platform for Ocean Innovation conservation, and sustainable development in the blue economy. OIA2025 will be co-organised with leading partners, including IUCN, GIZ, OceanHub Africa, Catalyze and the Ocean-Climate Platform.

With the theme, “Science-to-Solution”, the Regenerative Ocean Week will present a line-up of sessions designed to bridge the gap between scientific research, business innovation, policy, and community engagement.

According to the organizers of the event, it will bring together African ocean innovators, investors, researchers, policymakers, and community leaders to explore practical solutions that can be applied across the continent.

“These include the OIA Pitch Competition, which is a platform for Africa-based startups and entrepreneurs to showcase breakthrough ideas in ocean-impact solutions, allowing them to connect with investors and industry leaders and emphasizing Africa’s role in driving sustainable ocean initiatives,” the organizers said in a statement.