Releaf Earth, a climate and agriculture technology company, has launched a Biochar production facility in Iwuru, Cross River State in Nigeria that is capable of removing 40 kilotonnes of CO₂e from the environment by 2030, with plans for an additional 60 kilotonnes at other facilities. This innovative approach combines permanent carbon sequestration with regenerative agriculture, delivering tangible benefits to both the planet and the smallholder farmers at the heart of Africa’s food systems.
Building on its origins in food processing, Releaf Earth has emerged as Nigeria’s first industrial biochar producer, converting agricultural waste – specifically palm kernel shells – into premium biochar. The company patented and operates Kraken – West Africa’s most advanced nutcracker – which has processed over 10,000 metric tonnes of palm nuts since inception – producing a nutshell feedstock that’s particularly well-suited for carbon removal when transformed into biochar.
Biochar carbon removal was the dominant carbon removal pathway in 2023 and 2024, contributing 94 percent and 86 percent of removals, respectively. Creating biochar – a charcoal-like substance – is achieved through pyrolysis, the transformation of biomass through heat in a low-oxygen environment. Pyrolysis stabilizes the carbon in organic material, preventing its release as CO₂ or other greenhouse gases, and enables it to be locked in soil for thousands of years. When applied to farmland, biochar improves soil structure, increases water retention, and enhances nutrient availability. It can also raise smallholder farmer’s income by more than 50 percent due to its impact on fertilizer costs, crop yields, and revenue from carbon removal credits. Upon certification, the credits will be issued via the Riverse Registry, ensuring strict verification, integrity, and traceability. Releaf’s Carbon Removal deliveries can be tracked in real-time here.
In addition to its climate and agricultural benefits, the biochar production process generates its own renewable energy. This means Releaf Earth’s biochar units can operate with minimal reliance on external power sources, making them ideal for deployment in off-grid rural areas. Only limited solar input is required to power auxiliary components, keeping the system low-cost, energy-efficient, and highly scalable.
Ikenna Nzewi, CEO and co-founder of Releaf Earth, said “Africa has natural advantages to lead carbon removal globally. Our thesis is to prove commercial viability with our own operations and then build products that facilitate other existing food processors’ expansion into biochar production as well. Our products will evaluate a factory’s waste biomass, location, and relationships with local farmers to determine if biochar expansion is feasible. With careful investment, we believe Biochar Carbon Removal will build resilience for smallholder farmers and demonstrate that African innovation can lead the way in climate action for people and the planet.”
To meet global climate goals, carbon removal must scale 14,000-fold to reach 10 billion tons annually in the next 25 years. Biochar positions Africa uniquely to lead this charge. The continent already produces over a billion tons of biomass annually and the need to feed its growing population means this output is bound to increase.
Tito Jankowski, CEO of Airminers, a leading global community and platform focused on carbon removal, said, “Africa has everything it takes to lead the world in biochar, with tons of agricultural waste, sunshine all year, and millions of farmers ready to boost their soil and their income. African entrepreneurs like the Releaf team are already turning agricultural waste into valuable biochar to help farmers grow more food and tackle environmental challenges. Africa is positioned to become the most affordable and largest producer of biochar anywhere, creating jobs, building climate resilience, and pulling carbon from the atmosphere at the same time.”
Releaf Earth’s Biochar Carbon Removal Solution is part of a broader strategy to scale carbon removal solutions using food processing facilities across Africa. This approach allows Releaf Earth to tap into existing social and physical infrastructure to address two of the world’s most pressing challenges – climate change and soil degradation. It enables other established operators to produce high quality carbon credits from verified carbon removal while providing an affordable, organic soil amendment for farmers. Releaf piloted biochar application in Cross River State, Nigeria, in 2024 and achieved a 23% increase in yields along with soil restoration.
The Company is backed by Y Combinator, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, AirMiners and Angaza Capital amongst others. It plans to work closely with carbon certification bodies, government agencies and agricultural cooperatives to expand adoption and integrate biochar into climate-smart farming programs.
