Scaling Climate Solutions:Eco2librium’s Bamboo Biochar Project

Our monthly call focused on the Eco2librium Bamboo Biochar Project, presented by John Luseno, who shared an in-depth look at the Ungolo Biochar initiative in Kakamega, Western Kenya. Established in 2010, Eco2librium has remained committed to climate change mitigation through its Energy Division, Biochar Research, and Office of Innovation, with the central mission of protecting Kakamega Forest, the last remnant of the Guineo-Congolian tropical rainforest in Kenya. Since 2014, the company’s ceramic stove project has helped households reduce firewood use by 50 percent, easing pressure on forest resources. Building on this success,

Portion of CBEN members during the Monthly Call

Eco2librium now seeks to engage 5,000 farmers across Western Kenya in bamboo cultivation and biochar production. The model promises both environmental and economic benefits: a single bamboo plant can yield more than 200 stems, each worth about 200 shillings ($2), creating significant income potential for rural households. Strategic bamboo species selection—focusing on Giant bamboo, Gantus, and Bamboozo Bogalus—ensures high carbon content and optimal growth. The plantations are also powerful carbon sinks, with one hectare sequestering up to 20 tons of CO₂ annually and mature farms potentially storing as much as 600 tons over their lifecycle. Biochar quality varies by species, with denser bamboo producing higher-grade material after air-drying and pyrolysis.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of collaboration across biomass innovations. Coconut waste project in Mombasa, in partnership with the Technical University of Mombasa, is exploring coconut husk and shell pyrolysis while addressing waste management logistics. Beatrice connected this initiative to established carbonization expertise in Kilifi County, offering opportunities for knowledge transfer and technology adoption. Interest in wood vinegar as an agricultural by-product was noted, alongside the need for more scalable pyrolysis equipment to replace experimental clay-drum systems. Equally important was the farmer-centered compensation model presented by Mercy Ogembo, CBEN, member which ties payments not just to the production of biochar but also to its application on farmers’ fields, ensuring both soil health improvements and economic rewards. Conversations around certification systems underscored the need to balance proprietary business models with open knowledge sharing to grow the sector sustainably.

The call also expanded into research and strategic partnerships. Kenneth Monjero from KALRO and Cornell University emphasized linking scientific research with practical applications, while Chloé shared promising results from her startup with Stellenbosch University, showing performance far exceeding existing market products.

Opportunities to connect biochar projects to certified carbon sink management services were discussed, alongside preparations for a 2025 field tour in Western Kenya, to to sop which may include collaboration with Black Soldier Fly enterprises. Both in-person technical visits and virtual workshops were considered to accommodate participants across Kenya, Uganda, and beyond.

By Erick Opiyo Abala

Head Of Communications-CBEN