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Discover the Experts Shaping Biochar Production Technologies in Africa at Our Upcoming Virtual Workshop



As we delve into the latest advancements in biochar production technologies during this virtual workshop, we are honored to be joined by a distinguished lineup of experts and innovators shaping the future of sustainable agriculture across Africa and beyond.


Our speakers bring a wealth of practical experience and interdisciplinary knowledge—from precision agronomy and environmental consulting to grassroots conservation and clean energy innovation. Each facilitator represents a unique perspective in the evolving biochar ecosystem, offering insights on artisanal and industrial production methods, soil health, and scalable climate solutions.

Their collective work underscores the transformative potential of biochar in improving soil fertility, reducing waste, and supporting circular economy models in the African context and globally through


Meet the experts:

1. Dries Roobroeck

 Dries Roobroeck Holds a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences and serves as an Associate Scientist at IITA in Kenya and innovation lead for PlantVillage+. He integrates agronomic, ecological, and economic perspectives to transform farming value chains. His expertise includes nutrient cycling, diagnostic tools, and scenario assessments with financial modeling. Dries specializes in precision resource management and sustainable financing models, connecting research with real-world applications. He's conducted extensive assessments on biochar's potential in agricultural systems, informing policies and investment strategies. His work encompasses pyrolysis and gasification systems deployment across scales, from small field setups to industrial applications.
 Dries Roobroeck Holds a PhD in Applied Biological Sciences and serves as an Associate Scientist at IITA in Kenya and innovation lead for PlantVillage+. He integrates agronomic, ecological, and economic perspectives to transform farming value chains. His expertise includes nutrient cycling, diagnostic tools, and scenario assessments with financial modeling. Dries specializes in precision resource management and sustainable financing models, connecting research with real-world applications. He's conducted extensive assessments on biochar's potential in agricultural systems, informing policies and investment strategies. His work encompasses pyrolysis and gasification systems deployment across scales, from small field setups to industrial applications.

  1. Peter Roux

Peter Roux is a Principal Consultant with 25+ years of mining industry experience across Africa and Australia. Holding an MBA from Luton University, he specializes in ESG practices, mine closure, bioremediation, and sustainable development. As Founder of The Biochar Company, Peter designs pyrolysis kilns and develops biochar applications for soil remediation. He also founded Aqua Char Technologies in Botswana, creating water treatment systems using anaerobic bacteria and biochar. His expertise in international standards enables comprehensive risk assessments and sustainable mining solutions that balance technical requirements with environmental responsibility.
Peter Roux is a Principal Consultant with 25+ years of mining industry experience across Africa and Australia. Holding an MBA from Luton University, he specializes in ESG practices, mine closure, bioremediation, and sustainable development. As Founder of The Biochar Company, Peter designs pyrolysis kilns and develops biochar applications for soil remediation. He also founded Aqua Char Technologies in Botswana, creating water treatment systems using anaerobic bacteria and biochar. His expertise in international standards enables comprehensive risk assessments and sustainable mining solutions that balance technical requirements with environmental responsibility.

  1. Teddy Kinyanjui

    Teddy Kinyanjui is a Sustainability Director at Cookswell Jikos/Seedballs Kenya who continues his family's legacy of stove and kiln design and construction. Born and raised in Kenya, he has spent the last decade directing his father's initiative, the Woodlands 2000 Trust, focusing on conservation and enhancement of natural forest regeneration throughout Kenya. Through his work at www.cookswell.co.ke, Teddy combines traditional knowledge with sustainable innovation to support ecological restoration in his homeland.
    Teddy Kinyanjui is a Sustainability Director at Cookswell Jikos/Seedballs Kenya who continues his family's legacy of stove and kiln design and construction. Born and raised in Kenya, he has spent the last decade directing his father's initiative, the Woodlands 2000 Trust, focusing on conservation and enhancement of natural forest regeneration throughout Kenya. Through his work at www.cookswell.co.ke, Teddy combines traditional knowledge with sustainable innovation to support ecological restoration in his homeland.

    4. Beatrice Despioch


    Beatrice Despioch is the Director of Ungana Ltd, a Kenyan-based consulting company operating in different African countries. She has developed an extensive knowledge of Kenya’s societal, economic, and climatic challenges, as well a strong understanding of local stakeholders and institutions regulating the clean cooking sector. Her expertise includes the sustainable production of biomass briquettes, biochar production technologies, the circular economy in bioenergy, resilient nature-based solutions in arid lands, advocacy in clean cooking technologies, and gender equality. Since 2013, she has actively participated in initiatives related to sustainable charcoal regulations, forest ecosystem restoration, the Clean Cooking sector, and climate change adaptation solutions, collaborating with research and international organizations such as ICRAF, IRD, CIRAD, ICIPE, FAO, CCAK, MIT-Lab, and UM6P.
    Beatrice Despioch is the Director of Ungana Ltd, a Kenyan-based consulting company operating in different African countries. She has developed an extensive knowledge of Kenya’s societal, economic, and climatic challenges, as well a strong understanding of local stakeholders and institutions regulating the clean cooking sector. Her expertise includes the sustainable production of biomass briquettes, biochar production technologies, the circular economy in bioenergy, resilient nature-based solutions in arid lands, advocacy in clean cooking technologies, and gender equality. Since 2013, she has actively participated in initiatives related to sustainable charcoal regulations, forest ecosystem restoration, the Clean Cooking sector, and climate change adaptation solutions, collaborating with research and international organizations such as ICRAF, IRD, CIRAD, ICIPE, FAO, CCAK, MIT-Lab, and UM6P.

    5. Kevin Kung, Ph.D

    Kevin Kung, Ph.D. is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Takachar. From 2012 to 2017, Kevin built Takachar’s core technology as part of his doctoral research in the field of biofuels and renewable energy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where through the support of the Tata Trusts, he traveled to India extensively and designed the technology to meet specific local needs. Prior to that, Kevin had six years of experience conducting engineering design in resource-constrained settings, including borehole restoration in Uganda, interlocking stabilized construction materials in Ghana, and renewable energy systems in Kenya and India. In 2015, Kevin co-founded a company (Safi Organics) in Kenya that produces carbon-negative, high-yield fertilizer from crop residues, improving farmers’ harvest yields by 30 percent.
    Kevin Kung, Ph.D. is the co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Takachar. From 2012 to 2017, Kevin built Takachar’s core technology as part of his doctoral research in the field of biofuels and renewable energy at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, where through the support of the Tata Trusts, he traveled to India extensively and designed the technology to meet specific local needs. Prior to that, Kevin had six years of experience conducting engineering design in resource-constrained settings, including borehole restoration in Uganda, interlocking stabilized construction materials in Ghana, and renewable energy systems in Kenya and India. In 2015, Kevin co-founded a company (Safi Organics) in Kenya that produces carbon-negative, high-yield fertilizer from crop residues, improving farmers’ harvest yields by 30 percent.

    These experts represent the leading edge of biochar innovation across Africa and globally. Their insights will guide participants toward practical, scalable, and impactful solutions for circular agriculture and climate resilience


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