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Clean cooking for the next billion
Urban households in Africa are estimated to spend over $30 billion per year on charcoal, with demand growing exponentially due to rapid urban population growth. This is contributing to major public health and environmental crises.
Charcoal production in Africa creates significant deforestation, with over 2 million hectares of forests lost annually, as well as biodiversity losses, land degradation and carbon emissions. According to the World Health Organization, four million people die annually of illness caused by indoor air pollution from charcoal cooking. Half of these deaths are children under five years old. KOKO Networks is a climate tech company harnessing the global carbon markets to mainstream sustainable bio-ethanol cooking fuel as a fast, safe and affordable alternative to dirty fuels like charcoal. KOKO partners with the downstream fuels industry and offers a suite of distribution, dispensing and end-use technologies that ensure customers can safely access clean fuel, within walking distance to their homes at prices that undercut dirty fuels.
KOKO provides carbon credits to companies using their Net Zero commitments to scale real systems change in African forest conservation. KOKO then uses the proceeds to accelerate adoption of the KOKO fuel by low-income households who otherwise have no alternative but to use dirty, deforestation-based fuels.
KOKO exists to imagine and deliver technology that transforms life in the world’s fastest-growing cities. We believe communities thrive when each of their members is connected to opportunity and we know that building a sustainable future is the grand challenge for our generation. We think boldly and build for the long term.
Anticipating increasing climate change-related shocks, Novastar is proud to partner with KOKO Networks, which is using planet-positive technology to reduce emissions as well as health risks for African consumers. KOKO is a truly transformative business harnessing the biggest growth muscle on the planet to alter the trajectory of climate change.
NVAFII invests in KOKO Networks
This website is issued by Novastar Ventures Limited, an investment manager authorised and regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority and registered in England and Wales.