Biochar Industrial Group (BIG) has raised $1.5 million in pre-seed funding to expand its biochar carbon removal operations across Sub-Saharan Africa. The round was led by BREEGA with participation from The Catalyst Fund, and included non-dilutive funding from the Mulago Foundation. BIG plans to install pyrolysis units at food-processing facilities to convert agricultural waste into biochar, which can be used as soil amendment and generate carbon removal credits. The company targets the large volume of non-edible agricultural biomass in Africa, which currently decomposes and releases carbon dioxide. By locking carbon into a stable form through high-temperature pyrolysis, BIG aims to create a revenue stream for agribusinesses while improving soil health. The founders previously built Releaf Earth, a Y Combinator-backed agro-processing company, and bring experience in industrial operations and supply chains across Nigeria. BIG claims field trials show yield increases of up to 50% from biochar application, though independent verification is pending. The funding will support deployment at partner facilities and the development of auditable carbon credits. This is an early-stage bet on biomass carbon removal in a region with significant waste resources.
