At Delta40, we are thrilled to announce our follow-on investment in Giraffe Bioenergy, a truly transformative company led by the visionary Dr. Linda Davis. Giraffe Bioenergy is on a mission to produce affordable ethanol cooking fuel derived from cassava grown on semi-arid land which can’t be used for other food crops. Giraffe Bioenergy aims to tackle climate change, reduce import dependency, and empower women as central agents of economic and social transformation.
Recently, Giraffe Bioenergy successfully closed an oversubscribed $1.1 Million Seed Extension round following a $675K round closed in 2023. Giraffe has attracted equity investments from prominent backers including Delta40, OPES LCF, Livelihood Impact Fund, Gather Ventures, Dunn Family Foundation, 1to4 Family Foundation, Klaff Family Foundation and other angel investors.
Why Giraffe Bioenergy?
Bridging Kenya’s Supply-Demand Gap
Kenya faces a substantial shortfall in cassava-based products, from flour and animal feed to ethanol fuel. With 98% of ethanol cooking fuel imported, the country endures high costs due to a 35% tariff on imports. Meanwhile, there is a >200% supply-demand gap for cassava flour, with current production at 946,000 MT versus a demand of 3 million MT. Giraffe Bioenergy’s strategy is threefold:
Cassava as a Climate-Resilient Crop: Cassava thrives in semi-arid regions like inland Kilifi, where other crops fail. Giraffe cultivates drought-tolerant, disease-resistant cassava varieties, utilizing land unsuitable for fruits, vegetables, or wildlife conservation.
Transforming Livelihoods in Semi-Arid Regions: With over 50% of Kenyans depending on agriculture, cassava farming provides a sustainable income opportunity for communities in these regions.
Women at the Core: Giraffe Bioenergy recognizes the disproportionate impact of poverty and climate change on women. By integrating women across its value chain, the company is committed to empowering them economically and socially.
Supporting Women: A Catalyst for Change
Giraffe Bioenergy's initiatives currently support over 150 women in rural Kilifi through its nucleus and block farming program, with plans to scale this number to 3,000 women by the completion of their third biorefinery. By prioritizing women in recruitment, farming, and operational roles, Giraffe Bioenergy is not only boosting household incomes but also fostering long-term social progress in these communities.
Alleviating Climate Change
Giraffe Bioenergy’s innovative ethanol fuel will replace traditional cooking methods reliant on charcoal and firewood, significantly reducing carbon emissions and deforestation. This transition benefits not only the environment but also public health, as smoke from open fires disproportionately affects women and children.
Building a Sustainable Future: The Ethanol Biorefinery Vision
To meet Kenya’s growing demand for clean cooking fuel, Giraffe Bioenergy plans to raise $25 million in project financing to construct a 15-million-liter-per-year ethanol biorefinery—the first of three. By 2030, Giraffe aims to produce 75 million liters annually, addressing the 96-million-liter supply gap and capturing a significant share of the $144.3 million market.
Why We Invested
At Delta40, our commitment to supporting Africa’s top innovators and advancing climate solutions led us to back Giraffe Bioenergy for several compelling reasons:
Reducing Carbon Emissions: With two-thirds of Kenyan households reliant on charcoal and firewood, ethanol fuel presents a cleaner, more sustainable alternative.
Lowering Costs: Local ethanol production circumvents the 35% import tariff, making clean cooking fuel more affordable for millions of households.
Empowering Women: Giraffe Bioenergy’s plans to employ 3,000 women by 2030 will catalyze widespread social and economic benefits in rural areas.
Regenerative Agriculture: By converting idle shrubland into productive cassava farmland, Giraffe Bioenergy is restoring soil health and contributing to sustainable agricultural practices.
Linda Davis, PhD – An Inspirational Leader
The driving force behind Giraffe Bioenergy is Dr. Linda Davis, a distinguished expert in ethanol production with a PhD in Microbiology from the University of Western Sydney. With over 20 years of experience in renewable energy technologies, Dr. Davis is a prominent advocate for clean cooking fuels in East Africa.
Her impressive track record includes spearheading pioneering ethanol biorefinery projects in the United States. As Director of Emerging Technologies at Pacific Ethanol in San Jose, she served as Principal Investigator on a groundbreaking $25 million U.S. Department of Energy-funded initiative to develop Oregon’s first lignocellulosic ethanol plant, utilizing woody biomass. Prior to this, she was Director of Biorefinery Enzymes at Verenium (now part of BASF), where she guided a portfolio of ethanol production projects across the U.S., driving innovation in enzyme technology for biofuel production.
Dr. Davis also brings deep experience in empowering women entrepreneurs in the renewable energy sector. Through her role as a director with the U.S. State Department-supported Partnership in Women’s Entrepreneurship in Renewables, she gained first-hand insight into the unique challenges faced by women in accessing energy solutions across Africa. Her leadership at Giraffe Bioenergy reflects her commitment to fostering inclusive, sustainable energy development that empowers communities and promotes energy equity.
Her leadership is marked by innovation and a deep commitment to rural bioeconomies. Dr. Davis also plays a pivotal role in industry advocacy, serving on the boards of the Clean Cooking Association of Kenya (CCAK) and Women in Management Africa (WIMA), and moderating global energy transition discussions like the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue (BETD).
Join Us on This Journey
Delta40 is proud to stand beside Dr. Davis and her team as they revolutionize the clean cooking landscape in East Africa. With the goal of raising $25 million by 2025 for the first biorefinery, Giraffe Bioenergy is poised to transform the region’s energy future while uplifting thousands of women.
If you’re interested in investing or learning more about Giraffe Bioenergy’s groundbreaking journey, we invite you to reach out to elana@delta40.com. Together, we can fuel a sustainable, equitable future. 🌍✨
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