- Komaza, an innovative smallholder forestry platform which provides scalable and sustainable nature-based solutions to climate change, has announced that it has raised US$10 million from Mitsui & Co. and Sobrato Philanthropies.
The new funds will be used to scale field operations, support value chain expansion, and develop innovative tech infrastructures, reinforcing Komaza’s key initiatives set forth in the US$28 million Series B in July 2020 to accelerate climate impact through sustainable smallholder forestry.
“Komaza’s holistic approach to achieving impact – delivering significant, efficient carbon sequestration while also enabling economic opportunity for smallholder farmers – is a compelling vision for the future,” Victoria Fram, Managing Director of Impact Investments at Sobrato said.
“The team has demonstrated the ability to innovate and integrate technology that helps both their business and impact scale in parallel.”
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. is a global trading and investment company with a diversified business portfolio that spans approximately 63 countries in Asia, Europe, North, Central & South America, The Middle East, Africa, and Oceania.
Mitsui has over 5,600 employees and deploys talent around the globe to identify, develop, and grow businesses in collaboration with a global network of trusted partners.
Mitsui has built a strong and diverse core business portfolio covering the Mineral and Metal Resources, Energy, Machinery and Infrastructure, and Chemicals industries.
“Mitsui also believes in the huge potential and impact of Komaza’s innovative smallholder platform supported by on-the-ground operations and proprietary technology,” adds Shigeki Shibayama, General Manager of Living and Environmental Business Division at Mitsui.
“We are excited to support Komaza in expanding its unique ‘smallholder forestry model’ as a strategic partner by utilizing our worldwide business network and forestry experiences.”
Komaza is the largest forestry company in Kenya with over 22,000 farmer partners and 8,000 ha of forest under management.
It plants over 1,500 ha with 5,000 farmers annually accounting for approximately 40% of commercial tree plantings in Kenya.
Its innovative technology transforms underutilized smallholder land into thriving microforests, providing wood to an under-served market, and driving social and environmental progress.
“We are delighted to partner with Mitsui, one of the largest Japanese trading and investment conglomerates with global forestry expertise and network, and Sobrato, an impact-oriented, multi-generational family office and foundation,” said Tevis Howard, Komaza’s Founder & CEO.
“Together, we can achieve ambitious goals and make a true difference in the climate space.”
John A. Sobrato invested in Komaza through Sobrato Philanthropies. Sobrato Philanthropies’ mission is to partner with communities to meet immediate needs, address systemic barriers, and pursue social justice to build a more equitable and sustainable world.
