Supamoto Gains $4.3M Boost to Expand Clean Cooking and Carbon Credit Initiatives

Mattias Ohlson, Supamoto Co-Founder & CEO

The Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG) and EDFI Management Company, through the Electrification Financing Initiative (ElectriFI), have committed €4 million to support the expansion of Emerging Cooking Solutions (Supamoto) in Zambia.

The investment aims to enhance access to clean cooking solutions by scaling up Supamoto’s innovative biomass pellet-based technology.

Supamoto’s cooking solution integrates biomass pellets with fuel-efficient stoves equipped with internet-of-things (IoT) capabilities.

These stoves significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions while utilizing locally sourced waste products.

The funding, provided through InfraCo—PIDG’s project development arm—represents one of the group’s initial investments in Africa’s clean cooking sector.

According to Mattias Ohlson, CEO of the Emerging Cooking Solutions Group, the company has been at the forefront of promoting biomass pellet fuel as an alternative to charcoal.

He emphasized that the investment will accelerate the company’s growth, particularly with its proprietary IoT platform, high-performing smart stoves, and an upcoming Article 6.2 carbon credit initiative in collaboration with the Zambian government.

The financial backing will enable Supamoto to boost its pellet production at its Ndola-based facility in Zambia’s Copperbelt region.

Additionally, the company will enhance its logistics and distribution capabilities to cater to the increasing demand.

The investment will fund the deployment of 14,800 fuel-efficient cookstoves, expected to benefit approximately 74,000 individuals by providing cost and time savings.

Gilles Vaes, Chief Investment and Project Development Officer for InfraCo at PIDG, highlighted the importance of clean cooking in advancing both human and environmental well-being.

He noted that improving access to clean cooking disproportionately benefits women and stressed the need to bridge data gaps on the subject in Zambia.

The investment will also facilitate Supamoto’s workforce expansion, increasing its size four-fold over the next five years, thus driving sustainable economic growth in the country.

Rodrigo Madrazo, CEO of EDFI Management Company, reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting innovative solutions that address energy access and climate change.

He emphasized that the partnership with Supamoto and PIDG aligns with EDFI’s mission to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve household energy efficiency.

He further expressed optimism that the initiative would serve as a benchmark for similar clean cooking projects across Africa.

This investment marks a significant step toward promoting sustainable and affordable clean cooking solutions, addressing both environmental concerns and economic development in Zambia.

Source: Empower Africa