Key takeaways
- Stack Carbon signed a Memorandum of Understanding to establish Uganda’s first industrial-scale biochar carbon removal facility.
- The USD $12 million project will process agricultural waste into biochar-based fertilizer over 20 years.
- The initiative targets fertilizer cost pressures, soil health, and waste management challenges.
- International partners from China, Norway, and Singapore will contribute technology and expertise.
- Commercial operations are planned to begin in Q3 2026.
Stack Carbon formalizes partnership for Uganda biochar project
Stack Carbon signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding at a ceremony hosted at Kingdom Kampala in collaboration with Uganda Parliament. The agreement brings together Stack Carbon, Jiaxing Tongao Environmental Technology Co. Ltd of China, and TerraCapX AS of Norway to establish Uganda’s—and Africa’s—first large-scale industrial biochar carbon removal and biochar-based fertilizer production facility.
The USD $12 million project, named the Nile Char Carbon Removal Project, is designed to address Uganda’s agricultural waste management challenges while offering an alternative to imported chemical fertilizers.
Agricultural waste conversion and project scope
The Nile Char Carbon Removal Project will process more than 10 million tonnes of agricultural waste over a 20-year period. Biomass that would otherwise be incinerated or left to degrade in landfills will be converted into biochar-based fertilizer.
According to Stack Carbon, the project aims to provide more affordable fertilizer options for smallholder farmers, improve soil health and nutrient retention, and support carbon sequestration through biochar application. Uganda currently imports more than USD $300 million in chemical fertilizers annually, contributing to cost pressures on farmers.
Technology deployment and capacity building
Pyrolysis equipment and training
Jiaxing Tongao Environmental Technology Co. Ltd will supply continuous pyrolysis equipment with a production capacity of 30 tonnes of biochar per day. Nicole Yang, International Development Director at Jiaxing Tongao, stated that this marks the company’s first deployment outside China and its first project in Africa.
The agreement includes technical training for up to 100 Ugandan operators and engineers, installation services, and knowledge transfer to support local capacity building.
Perspectives from project leadership
Bashir Dan, Executive Officer of Stack Carbon, said the project focuses on transforming agricultural waste into a productive input for Uganda’s food systems. Kenny Kaluiji, Founder and Chief Growth Officer of TerraCapX AS, framed the initiative within Africa’s broader climate and resilience priorities during the opening remarks.
Chloe Hung, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Greenchar Climate Solutions Pte. Ltd., highlighted the project’s potential alignment with Article 6 mechanisms under the Paris Agreement, noting opportunities for verified carbon credit generation through biochar production and soil carbon sequestration.
Governance, standards, and timeline
The MoU signing was attended by representatives from Uganda Parliament, Uganda Development Bank, the Parliamentary Forum on Climate Change, the Ministry of Water & Environment, local farmer associations, and other stakeholders. The project is set to follow established standards covering environmental impact assessments, monitoring and verification, informed consent, labour policies, and insurance coverage.
Equipment installation is scheduled for mid-2026, with commercial operations expected to commence in Q3 2026. Stack Carbon stated that the project is intended to serve as a scalable model for climate-smart agriculture and waste-to-value initiatives across Africa.
