Kenyan Climate Tech Startup Tera Secures Validation for Carbon Credit Issuance

Climate technology startup Tera, based in Kisumu, has become the first African project developer to secure independent validation on the France-based Riverse carbon registry.

Founded in 2024, Tera uses sugarcane bagasse, a fibrous byproduct of sugar production, to produce biochar, a substance that stores carbon and enhances soil fertility. The firm has now begun issuing verified carbon credits following a third-party assessment by an accredited Verification and Validation Body (VVB), which confirmed the environmental and technical credibility of Tera’s operations.

“This validation strengthens investor confidence and opens the door for more climate-aligned capital to flow into Africa,” said Tera CEO Rob Palmer. “It also helps create jobs in rural areas while tackling climate change through scalable carbon removal.”

What sets Tera apart in the crowded climate tech space is its proprietary digital Monitoring, Reporting, and Verification (dMRV) platform. The system records carbon data on a secure digital ledger, providing transparency and traceability for carbon buyers and impact investors, a key concern in global carbon markets often criticized for opacity.

Operating from the heart of Kenya’s sugarcane belt, the startup sources its raw material locally, supporting regional agriculture and supply chains. By 2030, Tera plans to produce 450,000 tonnes of biochar, sequester an estimated one million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent, and rejuvenate 900,000 hectares of degraded farmland.

Clément Georget at Riverse said: “Tera exemplifies the kind of climate innovation Riverse was designed to support, transforming waste into durable climate value with transparency and community benefit.”